DAWSON, Samuel K., soldier, born in Pennsylvania about 1818. He was graduated at the U. S. military academy in 1839, and assigned as second lieutenant to the 1st artillery. He served on the northern frontier at Plattsburg, New York, during the Canada border disturbances of 1839, and on the Maine frontier, pending the "disputed territory" controversy in 1840. During the war with Mexico he was present at the battles of Pale Alto, Resaca de la Pahna, and Cerro Gordo, and took part in the siege of Vera Cruz. He was promoted to be first lieutenant, 18 June 1846, brevet captain, 18 April 1847, captain, 31 March 1853, and major of the 19th infantry, 14 May 1861. Captain Dawson took part in the campaigns against the Seminoles, 1851'6, and was attached to the party engaged in the pursuit of Cortinas's Mexican marauders in 1859. During the civil war he was present at the bombardment of Fort Pickens, in 1861, and served in the Tennessee campaign of 1863, being severely wounded at the battle of Chickamauga, for which he was promoted to be brevet colonel, and subsequently brevet brigadier general, for gallant and meritorious services during the war. He was commissioned colonel of the 19th infantry, 28 July 1866. In 1865 and 1866 he commanded a detachment of the 15th infantry at Mobile, and the entire regiment at Macon. Georgia