Thomas Moonlight

Thomas Moonlight (* November 10, 1833 near Boysack Muir Arbroath, Scotland, † February 7, 1899 in Leavenworth, Kansas ) was an American politician (Democratic Party) and a general in the army of the Union.

Career

Moonlight immigrated to the United States at the age of just twelve. He worked there until he was 20 years old, on farms on the east coast. He then spent five years as a First Sergeant in the 4th U.S. Artillery Regiment operates. After the outbreak of the Civil War, he turned to the 1st Kansas Volunteer Artillery Battery and became their captain. Most of the time during the war he spent in Kansas, where he fought against Bushwhacker and border guerrillas. In this context, he also pursued after the massacre of the Lawrence gang of William C. Quantrill. In 1864 he was promoted to colonel and commanded the 3rd Military District in the District of South Kansas. During Price's raid of Sterling Price in the same year he had the command of the 2nd Brigade, 1st Division in the Army of the Border and fought in the Battle of Westport. Towards the end of the war he had command of the District of Colorado, where he was going against Indians on the plains. In 1865, he received a brevet promotion to brigadier general.

After the war he returned to his farm and decided on a career in politics. He served as Secretary of State of Kansas and the Senate of Kansas. From 1887 to 1889 he was governor of Wyoming Territory. After his tenure, he served as U.S. ambassador to Bolivia.

He died at Leavenworth, Kansas, and was then buried in the Mount Muncie Cemetery.