A Collection in the Library of Virginia
Accession Number 22976
Library of Virginia
The Library of Virginia 800 East Broad Street Richmond, Virginia 23219-8000 USA Phone: (804) 692-3888 (Archives Reference) Fax: (804) 692-3556 (Archives Reference) Email: archdesk@lva.virginia.gov(Archives) URL: http://www.lva.virginia.gov/
Charles Adam Dempsey was born 15 November 1844 in Alexandria, Virginia. He was appointed to the United States Military Academy
1 September 1861, and graduated in 1865. Dempsey was commissioned a 2nd lieutenant, then promoted to 1st lieutenant 23 June
1865 and assigned to the 17 Infantry Regiment stationed on Hart's Island in New York. He was transferred to the 35th Infantry
Regiment in Texas 21 September 1866. After being transferred to the 2nd Infantry Regiment, 3 June 1870, Dempsey served in
Alabama, Idaho, and Nebraska, promoted to captain 9 February 1878. Commissioned a major of infantry 26 April 1898, Dempsey
served in Cuba during the Spanish-American War. Promoted to lieutenant colonel 16 June 1899, Dempsey commanded troops in the
Philippines from 1900 to 1901. Appointed a colonel of infantry 4 March 1901, Dempsey retired from active service 27 September
1901. He moved to Richmond, Virginia, and was recalled to military duty with the militia of Virginia, serving from 13 October
to 20 January 1922. Dempsey and his wife Lena Lawson Dempsey had one son. Dempsey died 4 June 1941 in Richmond, Virginia,
and was buried in Arlington National Cemetery.
Papers, 1866-1941, of Charles Adam Dempsey (1844-1941) of Richmond, Virginia, consisting of commissions, 1866-1901, of Dempsey
to various ranks in the United States Army. Papers also include a photograph, June 1922, of Colonel Dempsey; newspaper articles,
1940, on Dempsey as oldest living U. S. Military Academy graduate; and Dempsey's service record compiled by Major General
Emory Sherwood Adams, adjutant general of the United States, 18 June 1941.
Commission,
20 April 1866,
appointing Dempsey a 1st lieutenant in the 17th Infantry Regiment of the United States Army dating from 23 June 1865, signed
by President Andrew Johnson (1808-1875) and Secretary of War Edwin M. Stanton (1814-1869).
Commission,
23 April 1866,
appointing Dempsey a 2nd lieutenant in the 17th Infantry Regiment dating from 23 June 1865, signed by Johnson and Stanton.
Commission,
11 April 1867,
appointing Dempsey a 1st lieutenant in the 35th Infantry Regiment dating from 23 June 1865, signed by Johnson and Stanton.
Commission,
27 April 1878,
appointing Dempsey a captain in the 2nd Infantry Regiment dating from 9 February 1878, signed by President Rutherford B. Hayes
(1822-1893) and Secretary of War George W. McCrary (1835-1890).
Commission,
7 June 1898,
appointing Dempsey a major of infantry dating from 26 April 1898, signed by President William McKinley (1843-1901) and Secretary
of War, Russell A. Alger (1836-1907).
Commission,
26 December 1899,
appointing Dempsey a lieutenant colonel of infantry dating from 16 June 1899, signed by McKinley and Secretary of War Elihu
Root (1845-1937).
Commission,
11 March 1901,
appointing Dempsey a colonel of infantry dating from 4 March 1901, signed by McKinley and Root.
Photograph,
June 1922,
of Colonel Dempsey.
Two newspaper articles,
1940,
on Dempsey as oldest living U. S. Military Academy graduate.
Dempsey's service record compiled
18 June 1941
by Major General Emory Sherwood Adams, adjutant general of the United States.