Kentucky’s Civil War leaders…
Hard-charging Gen. Eli Long often
was wounded, cited for gallantry

(EDITOR’S NOTE:  This is the 22nd in a series about Kentucky’s officers and battle leaders during the Civil War.)

Gen. Eli Long was wounded five times and cited for gallantry on five occasions while serving as a Union cavalry officer during the Civil War.

The Woodford County native was graduated from Kentucky Military Institute in 1855 and a year later was appointed a second lieutenant in the 1st U.S. Cavalry Regiment. He served in a variety of frontier posts, often battling hostile Indians. He was promoted to first lieutenant in March 1861 and was named captain of the first cavalry with the outbreak of the Civil War in May.

Long was appointed colonel of the 4th Ohio Cavalry in February 1863, a regiment that had been somewhat demoralized after it surrendered to Confederate Brig. Gen. John Hunt Morgan. Long whipped the unit back into fighting shape and led it in the Tullahoma (Tenn.) Campaign in June.

The Kentuckian received brevet grade appointments as major, lieutenant colonel, and colonel in the Regular Army of the United States for “gallant and meritorious services” at the Battle of Farmington and Battle of Fort Sanders (Knoxville) in Tennessee and Battle of Lovejoy’s Station in Georgia, respectively.

President Abraham Lincoln appointed Long a brigadier general in August 1864 and President Andrew Johnson nominated him for major general in January 1866.  Long led charges that often resulted in personal wounds. His injuries included wounds in the left side, two head wounds and others in his right arm and thigh.

At the Battle of Selma (Ala.), he led a charge upon entrenchments that resulted in the capture of that town. The general was mustered out of the volunteer service in January 1866, was retired with the rank of major general of volunteers in August 1867, and brigadier general in March 1875. He died at age 65 on Jan. 5, 1903 and is buried in Plainfield, N.J.