Edward Henry Hobson (National Cyclopaedia)

HOBSON, Edward Henry, soldier, was born in Greensburg, Ky., July 11, 1825. He received a common-school education in Greensburg and Danville. At the outbreak of the Mexican war in 1846, he enlisted in the 2d regiment of Kentucky volunteers, was soon appointed first lieutenant, and fought bravely in the battle of Buena Vista, Feb. 22-23, 1847. He was mustered out of the service in June, 1847, returned to Greensburg and resumed mercantile business. He was elected a director of the Branch bank of Kentucky in 1853. and served as president from 1857 to 1861. When the civil war was declared he promptly offered his services to the national government, and afterward organized, and became colonel of, the 13th Kentucky volunteers. He joined Gen. Buell's army in the South in February, 1862, and led his regiment with such success at the battle of Shiloh that he was nominated by President Lincoln for a brigadier generalship. Before receiving his commission he took part in the siege of Corinth, was present at Perrysville, and later served at Mumfordsville, Ky., to protect the lines of communication and discipline about 10,000 new troops. Receiving his commission as brigadier-general, he was placed in command of the southern division of Kentucky troops and ordered to Marrowbone, Ky., where he watched the movements of Gen. John Morgan, and, after a slight engagement, pursued him through Kentucky, Indiana and Ohio. He was appointed to the command of Gen. Burnside's cavalry corps, but ill health prevented him from serving in that capacity, and afterward he again engaged in re-polling raids at Lexington, Ky. He was mustered out of service in September, 1865, since when he has been actively occupied with business interests. He was vice-president of the National republican convention of 1880. Subsequently he became president of the southern division of the Chesapeake and Ohio railroad company.