“ MERRITT, WESLEY (1836–⁠) , American soldier, was born in New York City on the 16th of June 1836. He graduated at West Point in 1860, and Was assigned to the cavalry service. He served in Utah (1861) and in the defences of Washington (1861–62) ; learnt the field duties of his arm as aide (1862) to General Philip St George Cooke, who then commanded the cavalry of the Army of the Potomac; became brigadier-general, United States Volunteers, in June 1863; and in September 1863 was placed in command of a brigade of regular cavalry in the Army of the Potomac. ”