Benjamin L.E. Bonneville

Benjamin Louis Eulalie de Bonneville (1796-1878) - Born 14 Apr 1796 in or near Paris, France. A career U.S. Army officer who established Fort Bonneville (1) in 1832 and who saw service as an explorer, served in the Second Seminole War, the Mexican War and the U.S. Civil War. He rose to the rank of Brevet Brigadier General 13 Mar 1865. He died 12 June 1878 in Fort Smith, Arkansas.

Bonneville entered the United States Military Academy in 1813 and graduated after only two years in the Class of 1815, ranking 35th out of 40.

He saw service as an explorer of the west early in his career. He served in the Second Seminole War in Florida 1841-1842. He marched across Mexico with General Winfield Scott in the Mexican War 1846-1847. He was retired from service in 1861 for disability but came back to serve in non combat positions during the U.S. Civil War. He was retired from the U.S Army 15 Oct 1866 as a Brevet Brigadier General.

He died 12 June 1878 in Fort Smith (2), Arkansas and is interred in Bellefontaine Cemetery, St. Louis, Missouri.

Sources:
 * Cullum Register - Benjamin L.E. Bonneville
 * Find a Grave - - Benjamin L.E. Bonneville
 * Wikipedia - Benjamin L.E. Bonneville