Anthony/Brady.   Orlando B. WillcoxArticleTalkReadEditView historyToolsFrom Wikipedia, the free encyclopediaOrlando Bolivar WillcoxOrlando B. WillcoxBorn April 16, 1823Detroit, MichiganDied May 11, 1907 (aged 84)Cobourg, OntarioPlace of burial Arlington National CemeteryAllegiance United States of AmericaUnionService/branch United States ArmyUnion ArmyYears of service 1847–18571861–1887Rank Brigadier General Brevet Major GeneralCommands held 1st Michigan Infantry Regiment1st Division, IX Corps3rd Division, IX CorpsIX CorpsDepartment of the MissouriBattles/wars Mexican–American WarThird Seminole WarAmerican Civil WarFirst Battle of Bull RunBattle of AntietamBattle of FredericksburgKnoxville CampaignSiege of PetersburgAwards Medal of HonorOrlando Bolivar Willcox (April 16, 1823 – May 11, 1907) was an American soldier who served as a general in the Union Army during the American Civil War.Early lifeWillcox was born in Detroit, Michigan. He entered the United States Military Academy in West Point, New York, in 1843. Following graduation in 1847, he was commissioned Second Lieutenant in the 4th U.S. Artillery. He would subsequently serve in the United States Army in various capacities over a period of forty years. Willcox served in the Mexican–American War, fought against the Indians on the frontier, and again in the Third Seminole War. Following the latter conflict, he resigned from the Army in 1857.[1]Civil WarGrave at Arlington National CemeteryWhen the Civil War began, Willcox was practicing law in Detroit. He was appointed colonel of the 1st Michigan Volunteer Infantry. He was wounded and captured in the First Battle of Bull Run (First Manassas) while in command of a brigade in Maj. Gen. Samuel P. Heintzelman's division. He later received the Medal of Honor in 1895 for "most distinguished gallantry" during the battle.[1]After his release and exchange more than a year later, on August 19, 1862, President Abraham Lincoln appointed Willcox a brigadier general of volunteers, to rank from July 1, 1861.[2] The President had to submit the nomination three times, the last on March 7, 1863, before the U.S. Senate finally confirmed the appointment on March 11, 1863.[2] Willcox commanded the 1st Division of Maj. Gen. Ambrose Burnside's IX Corps in 1862. He led the division at the Battle of Antietam and the corps at the Battle of Fredericksburg.[1]During the 1863 draft riots, Willcox commanded the District of Indiana and Michigan. He again led a division at Knoxville and during Lt. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant's Overland Campaign. On December 12, 1864, President Abraham Lincoln nominated Willcox for appointment to the brevet grade of major general of volunteers to rank from August 1, 1864, and the U.S. Senate confirmed the appointment on April 14, 1865.[3] Following the Siege of Petersburg, he led the first troops to enter Petersburg, Virginia, before ending the war serving in North Carolina.[1] He was mustered out of the volunteers on January 15, 1866.[4]