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Lewis "Lew" Wallace, Major General Union Army Civil War, Author of Ben-Hur, historic photos

Lewis "Lew" Wallace, Major General Union Army Civil War, Author of Ben-Hur, historic photo

An historic photo of Major General Lewis "Lew" Wallace, Union Army. Wallace led troops in the Civil War battles of Fort Donelson, Shiloh, and Monocacy. After the war, Wallace presided over the investigation of Captain Henry Wirz who was the commander of the Confederate prison camp at Andersonville. From 1878-1881, Wallace served as the Governor of New Mexico Territory. Next, Wallace was the U. S. Minister to the Ottoman Empire (modern day Turkey) from 1881-1885.

Of all his accomplishments, Lew Wallace is most well known as the author of the novel, Ben-Hur, A Tale of The Christ which was published on November 12, 1880. This became the best selling novel of the nineteenth century and one of the best selling books of all time. He also authored a number of other successful but lesser known titles.

Lew Wallace, born April 10, 1827 at Brookville, Indiana; died February 15, 1905 at Crawfordsville, Indiana, age 77.

See the additional photos below.

Another historic photo view of Major General Lewis "Lew" Wallace, taken during the Civil War.

Another historic photo view of Major General Lewis "Lew" Wallace, taken during the Civil War.

The home of General Lew Wallace, Crawfordsville, Indiana.

The home of General Lew Wallace, Crawfordsville, Indiana.

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