Born to James Ord and Rebecca Ruth Cresap in Cumberland, Maryland, Edward Otho Cresap (E. O. C.) Ord (1818-1883) enrolled in the West Point Military Academy in 1835. Ord was appointed a second lieutenant in the Third Artillery Regiment following his graduation in 1839, and was promoted to first lieutenant in 1841 as a result of his efforts fighting the Florida Seminoles. Shortly after the Mexican War, he was promoted to captain while stationed in California. During the Civil War, Ord served as brigadier general in the U. S. Army, commanding several different corps, including the Thirteenth, Eighth, and Eighteenth. Following the war, he assumed command of the military departments of California and Texas as well as the Fourth Military District. Additionally, Ord directed the construction of Fort Sam Houston while stationed in San Antonio, Texas.
Source:
Cutrer, Thomas W.
Composed of an historical narrative, the E. O. C. Ord Item, undated, chronicles Ord’s military career. The narrative primarily discusses his experiences during the Civil War as well as other military engagements.
This collection is open for research use.
E. O. C. Ord Item, undated, Dolph Briscoe Center for American History, The University of Texas at Austin.
Basic processing and cataloging of this collection was supported with funds from the National Historical Publications and Records Commission (NHPRC) for the Briscoe Center’s