William Neil Dennison

William Neil Dennison (December 10, 1841 – December 31, 1904) was a highly decorated artillery officer during the American Civil War, an attorney and business speculator during the postbellum years.

Born in Ohio, "Neil" was the son of Ohio Governor and Postmaster General of the United States William Dennison, Jr. and Anne (Neil) Dennison.

At the outbreak of hostilities, his father served as the Governor of Ohio (1860–1862), and undoubtedly influenced Dennison's direct commission into the regular U.S. Army, on August 5, 1861. He was assigned to the 2nd U.S. Artillery, an organization whose officers corps produced both Chiefs of Artillery for the Army of the Potomac, and the who formed the backbone of the famed U.S. Horse Artillery Brigade.

Promoted to first lieutenant on November 12, 1861, Dennison served with the 2nd Artillery throughout the Civil War, almost entirely with the Horse Artillery Brigade. He gained most of his experience while serving as a section chief in Battery A, 2nd U.S. Artillery, under the command of Captain John C. Tidball. During the Peninsula Campaign, Dennison commanded the rear (left) section of Tidball’s “flying battery.” In 1864, Dennison commanded Battery G, and eventually returned to command Battery A until the end of the war. He was awarded two brevet promotions for gallantry in combat, including the ranks of captain (for actions at Gaines' Mill and Malvern Hill) and major (for actions at Antietam). At war's end, he received his final brevet promotion, to lieutenant colonel, for his overall service and conduct during the war.

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