Gustavus Loomis

Gustavus Loomis (September 23, 1789 – March 5, 1872) was an United States Army officer who served during the War of 1812, Seminole Wars and the American Civil War. He was one of the oldest soldiers to serve in the Civil War.

Biography
Loomis was born in Thetford, Vermont and graduated from West Point in 1811.

He entered the army as a second lieutenant of artillery. After garrison duty in the harbor of New York in 1812-13, he was ordered to the Niagara frontier in 1813 for service in the War of 1812. He assisted in the capture of Fort George (May 27, 1813) and was made prisoner at Fort Niagara on December 19, 1813. He was exchanged and transferred to the Artillery Corps on May 12, 1814.

Following the War of 1812, Loomis was promoted to captain in 1819. He was transferred to the infantry in 1821. In 1832, during the Black Hawk War, he was in garrison at Fort Crawford, Wisconsin. During the Second Seminole War, was promoted to major in the 2nd U.S. Infantry Regiment in 1838. He was promoted to lieutenant colonel on September 22, 1840. He commanded the 6th U.S. Infantry Regiment in Florida (1842-1844). On March 9, 1851, Loomis was promoted to colonel and was given command of the 5th U.S. Infantry Regiment at Fort Belknap, Texas (1852-1853). During the Third Seminole War, he served as commander of the Department of Florida from 1857-1858.

During the Civil War, he was superintendent of the general recruiting services at Fort Columbus. On June 1, 1863, Loomis was retired from active service as a colonel of infantry. From June 1, 1863 to May 24, 1864, he was Superintendent of General Recruiting.

On July 17, 1866, President Andrew Johnson nominated Loomis for appointment to the brevet grade of brigadier general in the Regular Army for long and faithful service, to rank from March 13, 1865 and the U.S. Senate confirmed the appointment on July 26, 1866.

Gustavus Loomis died on March 5, 1872 at Stratford Connecticut. He was buried at Grove Street Cemetery, New Haven, Connecticut.