Theodore Edmond True – Brigadier General, United States Army

Born at Coles County, Illinois, December 24, 1842, he was educated at schools and academies in Illinois. He graduated from the Infantry and Cavalry School, 1883. He married Cynthia L. Bowman, November 20, 1864.

He served as Corporal, Company B, 7th Illinois Volunteer Infantry, April 25, 1861. He was promoted to Second Lieutenant, 41st Illinois Volunteer Infantry, for “meritorious services” at the Battle of Fort Donelson, Tennessee, where he was twice wounded, February 15, 1862. He was Captain, 6th United States Artillery, November 28, 1863 and following the Civil War was appointed Second Lieutenant, 4th U.S. Infantry, July 24, 1866; First Lieutenant, February 26, 1876; Captain, Assistant Quartermaster, october 23, 1889; Major, Quartermaster, November 13, 1898; Lieutenant Colonel, Deputy Quartermaster General, February 24, 1903; Brigadier General, USA, January 23, 1904, and retired.

He participated in the battles of the Civil War, including the capture of Fort Henry, Tennessee, Battle of Fort Donaldson, Tennessee; Big Hatchie; Mississippi River; attack on the transport fleet near Island 82, Mississippi River; the Siege of Vicksburg; the Defense of Vidalia, Louisiana; and skirmishes with hostile Indians in Wyoming in 1869-70. He was both a Baptist and a Republican.

He died at Los Angeles, California, August 30, 1925 and was buried in Section 3 of Arlington National Cemetery. His wife, Cynthia L. Bowman True (October 18, 1842-October 8, 1913), is buried with him.

Theodore Edmond True was born at Coles County, Illinois, December 24, 1842. He was educated at schools and academies in Illinois. He graduated from the Infantry and Cavalry School, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, 1883. He married: Cynthia L. Bowman, November 20, 1864.

He served as Corporal, Company B, 7th Illinois volunteer Infantry, April 25, 1861. He was promoted to Second Lieutenant, 41st Illinois Volunteer Infantry, for “meritorious services” at the battle of Fort Donelson, Tennessee, where was twice wounded, February 15, 1862. Promoted to Catpain, 6th United States Colored Artillery, November 28, 1863, Second Lieutenant, 4th United States Infantry July 24, 1866, First Lieutenant, 4th United States Infantry, February 26, 1876, Captain, Assistant Quartermaster, United States Army, October 23, 1889, Major, Quartermaster, November 13, 1898, Lieutenant Colonel, Deputy Quartermaster General, United States Army, February 24, 1903, Brigadier General, United States Army, January 23, 1904, and retired.

He participated in the battles of Civil War, including capture of Fort Henry, Tennessee, the battles of Fort Donelson, Tennessee, Big Hatchie, Mississippi River, attack on transport fleet near Island 82 Mississippi River, the Siege of Vicksburg, the Defense of Vidalia, Lousiaina, and skirmishes with hostile Indians in Wyoming in 1869-70. He was a Baptist and a Republican. He made his home in Los Angeles, California. He died on August 30, 1925 and was buried with full military honors in Section 3 of Arlington National Cemetery.

Cynthia L. Bowman True, wife of Theodore Edmond True. Married: November 20, 1864. October 18, 1842-October 8, 1913.

TRUE, THEODORE E
BRIG GEN USA

• DATE OF DEATH: 08/30/1925
• BURIED AT: SECTION S  SITE 1735
  ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY

TRUE, CYNTHIA W/O THEODORE E

• BURIED AT: SECTION S  SITE 1735
• ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY

Michael Robert Patterson

Michael Robert Patterson was born in Arlington and is the son of a former officer of the US Army. So it was no wonder that sooner or later his interests drew him to American history and especially to American military history. Many of his articles can be found on renowned portals like the New York Times, Washingtonpost or Wikipedia.

Reviewed by: Michael Howard