Caspar Crowninshield

Caspar F. Crowninshield (October 23, 1837 – January 10, 1897) was a volunteer officer in the Union Army during the American Civil War.

Caspar Crowninshield in Southern Victory
Caspar Crowninshield had been employed in his families mercantile business, when the War of Secession began in 1861. Although he started his military carer in the infantry, he later transferred to the Cavalry, becoming a captain. After the US was defeated, Crowninshield stayed on in the army.

By 1881, Crowninshield was now a Lt. Colonel, and second in command of the Fifth US Cavalry, stationed at Fort Dodge, Kansas. When the Second Mexican War began later that year, Crowninshield was placed in overall command of the fort while his commanding officer, Colonel Custer attacked the Kiowa Indians. Although he was visibly horrified by Custer's plans, he obeyed none the less.

After the raid, Crowninshield followed Custer and the Cavalry regiment first to the Utah Territory, and later the Montana Territory, never once questioning Custers orders.