Henry Capehart, MD

Dr. Capehart was born in the county of Cambria, Pennsylvania in 1825 and received his education in that state. In 1849 he moved to Bridgeport, Ohio where he practiced his medical profession. He began his Civil War military service on September 18, 1861 by volunteering as a Surgeon in the First West Virginia Volunteer Cavalry.

After a military engagement in Gainesville, VA in 1863, Dr. Capehart was promoted to Colonel and placed in charge of the regiment. On September 23, 1864, when Major General Averell was relieved of command, Dr. Capehart was placed in charge of the Second Brigade, Second Cavalry Division. Under him were the First, Second and Third West Virginia and First New York (Lincoln) Cavalry regiments.

In January of 1865, Capehart’s Brigade was redesignated the Third Brigade and placed in General George A. Custer’s Third Cavalry Division. While under Custer, Capehart reached his military potential as a cavalry commander. After the surrender of the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia at Appomattox Court House on April 9, 1865, General Custer was promoted to the command of Sheridan’s Cavalry Corps and Capehart was promoted to the full rank of Brigadier General of Volunteers and placed in command of the Third Cavalry Division.

Dr. Capehart came to reside in Fargo in 1881 and passed away in 1895.