Background
Innis Newton Palmer was born on March 30, 1824 in Buffalo, New York, United States. He was the son of Innis Bromley and Susan (Candee) Palmer, and a descendant of Lieutenant William Palmer who came to America on the Fortune in 1621.
Innis Newton Palmer was born on March 30, 1824 in Buffalo, New York, United States. He was the son of Innis Bromley and Susan (Candee) Palmer, and a descendant of Lieutenant William Palmer who came to America on the Fortune in 1621.
Innis Newton Palmer received a common-school education and graduated from the United States Military Academy in 1846 as a brevet second lieutenant.
Innis Newton Palmer's extended service in the Mexican War included the siege of Vera Cruz, the battles of Cerro Gordo, Contreras, Churubusco, Chapultepec, and the assault and capture of the city of Mexico. He was wounded at Chapultepec and was made a brevet captain for gallant conduct during that battle. Following the Mexican War, he served in various western posts almost without a break until the Civil War. His activities included the march to Oregon in 1849 and service in Oregon, Washington, Texas, and Indian Territory, with both the Mounted Rifles and the 2nd Cavalry. During this period he rose to be a major of cavalry on April 25, 1861. In the first few months of the Civil War he served in the defenses of Washington, and as the Confederate armies approached the city in June he was placed in command of the Regular cavalry in the Manassas campaign. He was made a brevet lieutenant-colonel for gallantry at the battle of Bull Run, and was promoted to brigadier-general of volunteers on September 23, 1861.
He remained on duty in the defenses of Washington until March 1862, when he was given command of a brigade in the IV Corps, Army of the Potomac, and participated in the Virginia Peninsular campaign, taking part in the siege of Yorktown and the battles of Williamsburg, Fair Oaks, Glendale, and Malvern Hill. In the fall of 1862 he organized New Jersey and Delaware volunteers and superintended camps of drafted men at Philadelphia. The remainder of his war service was in North Carolina, where he served from December 1862 until July 1865. In this period he held various department and district commands, and a portion of the time commanded a division in the XVIII Corps. On March 13, 1865, he was made brevet colonel, 2nd Cavalry, and major-general of volunteers, the latter for long and meritorious service. The following January he was mustered out of the volunteer service and as brevet colonel took command of the 2nd Cavalry, which he had joined in 1855 as a captain.
After the war, promotion was very slow, and he did not become a full colonel until June 1868. For the most part the remainder of his service was in command of the 2nd Cavalry in the expanding West. He performed important duties, frequently commanding important frontier posts as well as his regiment. On March 20, 1879, he retired as a colonel, after more than thirty years' service. He died at Chevy Chase, Maryland on September 9, 1900.
Innis Newton Palmer became famous for his active participation in the Battle of Contreras, the Battle of Churubusco during Mexican - American War. He also took active part in First Battle of Bull Run, Peninsula Campaign, Seven Days Battles, the Battle of New Bern, the Battle of Wyse Fork and Indian Wars.
In 1853 Innis Newton Palmer married Catharine Jones, daughter of Colonel Llewellyn Jones, of the United States Army. They had three daughters and a son.
