The West Point Boys - Erasmus D. Keyes

Erasmus Darwin Keyes was born in Brimfield, Massachusetts on May 29th, 1810. While he was young the Keyes family moved to Kennebec County, Maine. His father was a surgeon but Erasmus pursued a military career and enrolled in the U. S. Military Academy at West Point. He graduated 10th in his class in 1832, and was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the 3rd Artillery. He served in Charleston Harbor, during the nullification troubles and as an aide to General Winfield Scott. Promoted to captain on November 30th, 1841, he served at various garrisons until 1844 and then worked as an artillery and cavalry instructor at West Point. Keyes received his commission of major on October 12th, 1858. He was sent to garrison duty on the frontier until 1860. General Scott appointed him military secretary on January 1, 1860. It was a position he filled until April, 1861. At the outbreak of the Civil War, Keyes was promoted to colonel of the 11th U.S. Infantry on May 14th, 1861, and was later promoted to the rank of brigadier general of the U.S. Volunteers. General Keyes then served briefly on the staff of New York Governor Edwin D. Morgan where he helped to raise militia.At the battle of First Bull Run, Keyes commanded the 1st Brigade, 1st Division, and then led Keyes' Brigade. On November 9th, 1861 he was given command of a division