Daniel Henry Rucker

Daniel Henry Rucker (April 28, 1812 – January 6, 1910) was a career officer in the United States Army. He was commissioned in 1837 and served for nearly 45 years, including during the American Indian Wars, Mexican–American War, and American Civil War. He attained the rank of brigadier general and was most notable for his service as Assistant Quartermaster General of the United States Army, then Quartermaster General. Rucker received brevet promotions to major general of United States Volunteers and major general in the Regular Army in commendation of his Civil War service. Rucker was the father-in-law of General Philip Sheridan. Early life Daniel H. Rucker was born in Belleville, New Jersey on April 28, 1812, a son of John Anthony Rucker and Sarah Jane (Dring) Macomb. Sarah Macomb Rucker (1789–1873) was the daughter of William Macomb. Her sister Catherine was the wife of General Alexander Macomb. Her sister Eliza was the wife of Brevet Brigadier General Henry Whiting. Her sister Anne was the wife of Lieutenant Colonel Aeneas MacKay, who served as the U.S. Army's Deputy Quartermaster General. Rucker's siblings included William Alexander Rucker, a career U.S. Army officer who attained the rank of colonel in the Paymaster department. The Rucker family moved to Grosse Ile, Michigan soon after the close of the War of 1812, and Rucker was raised and educated in Grosse Ile. His uncle Alexander Macomb was serving as Commanding General of the United States Army when Rucker applied for a commission in the United States Army in 1837; he was accepted and received appointment as a second lieutenant in the 1st Regiment of Dragoons in October of that year. Start of career Rucker's regiment was sent to Fort Leavenworth, Kansas soon after he received his commission, and he took part in a campaign against the Ute people, during which he formed a friendship with Kit Carson that lasted until Carson's 1868 death. He served at several posts in the Midwest and Southwest United States during the 1840s, and was promoted to first lieutenant in 1844 and captain in 1847. During the Mexican–American War, he served with his regiment and rose from command of Company E to command of a squadron. He received a brevet promotion to major in recognition of his gallantry at the Battle of Buena Vista.