Salomon, Edward S. b. December 25, 1836; Schleswig- Holstein (?) d. (?) 1913; San Francisco, California
Highest-ranking German Jewish officer in the Union army during the American Civil War and the only Jewish governor of the Washington Territory. After the Revolution of 1848, Salomon relocated to Hamburg to improve his economic situation.
Eventually in 1855, he emigrated to the United States and settled in Chicago, Illinois. Salomon soon found work as a clerk and bookkeeper and began studying law at the Davis & Buell firm. After passing the bar, Salomon joined the Peck & Buell firm, became politically active in the Republican Party, and was elected as the Sixth Ward alderman to the Chicago City Council in 1860.When hostilities commenced between North and South, Salomon enlisted in the 24th Illinois Infantry Regiment under the command of fellow German Friedrich Hecker. In 1862 Salomon and Hecker left the 24th Illinois and formed the 82nd Illinois Volunteer Infantry Regiment. Salomon's recruitment efforts helped to bring numerous German Jewish immigrants into the regiment, forming an entire company of German Jews. Within three days, ninety-six German Jews from Chicago had volunteered. The 82nd Illinois fought in several of the most important battles, including Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Mission Ridge, Atlanta, and General Sherman's march through the Deep South. It was during the Battle of Gettysburg in July 1863, however, that Lieutenant Colonel Salomon rose to prominence. With the wounding of Hecker weeks earlier, Salomon demonstrated his leadership abilities. During the battle, Salomon rallied his men after their apparent defeat on the first day and captured more Confederate soldiers than men under his command during the second day. When Colonel Hecker left the regiment in 1864, Salomon became commander and eventually achieved the rank of brevet brigadier general, the highest rank of any German Jewish officer.
After the war ended in 1865, Salomon returned to his political life and was elected county clerk for Cook County, Illinois.
For Salomon's conduct during the Civil War, President Ulysses S. Grant rewarded him with the governorship of the Washington Territory in the spring of 1870. He held that office for two years, leaving it in the spring of 1872. Salomon and his family relocated to San Francisco, California, and lived there until his death. During the thirty years spent in northern California, Salomon continued to practice law, became a member of the California State Assembly, and worked in the office of the district attorney. Never forgetting his service in the Union army, Salomon became an active member in veterans’ associations around the San Francisco area. Salomon petitioned the U.S. government to award the Congressional Medal of Honor to a fellow German Jewish solider, Captain Joseph B. Greenhut, for his brave and heroic actions during the Battle of Gettysburg. Although his petition was unsuccessful, Salomon continued to honor the contributions of his regiment.Marc Dluger
See also Chicago; 82nd Illinois Volunteer
Infantry Regiment; Hecker, Friedrich
References and Further Reading
“The Governor of Washington Territory: 1870—1872.” Western States Jewish History 17, no. 3 (April 1985): 214-215.
Tortorelli, Susan. “82nd Illinois Infantry Regiment History: Adjutant General’s Report.” At
http://www.rootsweb.com/~ilcivilw/history /082.htm (cited October 9, 2002).