Background

Edward D. Townsend was born on August 22, 1817 at Boston, Massachussets. He was the son of David S. Townsend, an army officer of the War of 1812, and Eliza Gerry, the daughter of Elbridge Gerry. He was a descendant of Thomas Townsend who settled in Lynn, Massachussets, about 1637.

Education

He was educated at the Boston Latin School, attended Harvard College for one year, and was graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1837, as a second lieutenant, 2nd Artillery.

Career

He served in the Florida war, and later assisted in removing the Cherokee Indians to what is now Oklahoma. In 1846, he transferred to the adjutant general's department, and for the next fifteen years served on the Pacific coast, and at Washington, D. C. During the winter of 1860-61, he was consulted as to the defense of Southern forts. He recommended that, as the forts were in no condition to resist attack, a nominal defense be made, stipulating only for honorable terms and a free passage to the North for the defenders.

When Lincoln became president, Townsend, now a lieutenant-colonel, became adjutant-general to Winfield Scott, commander-in-chief. Bowed with age, Scott left the direction of affairs largely to Townsend. President Lincoln frequently visited Scott's office, and formed a lifelong friendship with Townsend.

Townsend was responsible for many measures taken in 1861 for the defense of Washington and for the organization and discipline of the newly raised troops. Upon Scott's retirement, November 1, 1861, he became senior assistant in the adjutant-general's department.

On March 23, 1862, he became adjutant-general, a position equivalent to what would now be chief-of-staff. In daily contact with the president and the secretary of war for the next three eventful war years, he quietly and efficiently carried out their orders. Wherever possible he effaced himself. He had an expert knowledge of files and office work; he was faithful and reliable, and closely supervised his important department. At the end of the war he was brevetted major-general for his services.

After the war, Townsend issued an order to collect all war papers and by this order was responsible for founding that vast collection published later as the War of the Rebellion: Official Records. In 1868, during the difficulties between President Johnson and Secretary Stanton, and the impeachment of the former, Townsend handled a serious situation at the War Department with unusual tact. In 1869, he was appointed adjutant-general by President Grant, after having acted in this capacity for seven years. An improved system of military prisons occupied much of his attention during his term.

He retired in 1880, and lived in Washington until his death.

In 1884 he published Anecdotes of the Civil War, a discreet work with little information in it.

Achievements

• Edward Davis Townsend is remembered as the Adjutant General of the United States Army from 1869 to 1880.

Works

More photos

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  • Saving the Union: My Days with Lincoln and Stanton (Annotated)

    (No military man met more often with Abraham Lincoln and E...)

  • Catechism of the Bible: The Pentateuch, or Five Books of Moses (Classic Reprint)

    (Excerpt from Catechism of the Bible: The Pentateuch, or F...)

  • Anecdotes Of The Civil War In The United States (1884)

    (This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of th...)

Religion

He possessed strong religious ideas, and some literary ability, publishing two books, the Catechism of the Bible--the Pentateuch (1860), and Judges and Kings (1862).

Membership

He was a member of the Society of the Cincinnati.

Interests

• He was interested in collecting political papers and heirlooms.

Connections

On May 9, 1848, he was married to Ann Overing Wainwright, a sister of Richard Wainwright, 1817-1862. She, with four of their five children, survived him at his death in Washington.

Father:

David S. Townsend

(1790–1853)

Mother:

Eliza Gerry Townsend

(1790–1882)

Spouse:

Ann Overing Wainwright Townsend

(1821–1917)

child:

Edward David Townsend

(1851–1897)

child:

Thomas Gerry Townsend

(1849–1902)

Brother:

David Townsend

(1827–1885)

Brother:

George James Townsend

(1823–1894)

Sister:

Louise Townsend

(1825–1877)

Sister:

Eliza E. Townsend McLaren

(1819–1867)

Grandfather:

Elbridge Gerry

(July 17, 1744 (O.S. July 6, 1744) – November 23, 1814) He was an American statesman and diplomat.

References

• The Auchmuty family of Scotland and America,