Wholesale District in Indianapolis in Marion County, Indiana — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Lew Wallace
The son of Indiana's sixth governor, Lew Wallace was a man of boundless ambition and restless spirit. Born April 10, 1827, in Brookville, Ind., Wallace was a lawyer, soldier, politician and author. A Mexican War veteran, he led the 11th Indiana Volunteers at the decisive Battle of Fort Donelson and brilliantly commanded the successful defense of Washington, D.C. at the Battle of Monocacy during the Civil War. But confusion at the Battle of Shiloh and the resulting clash with General Ulysses S. Grant ruined his military career.
The tragedy at Shiloh did not prevent Wallace from additional triumphs and positions of great responsibility. A former member of the Indiana Legislature, he served on the military tribunal that tried the conspirators in the Lincoln assassination and and later served as governor of New Mexico Territory and American ambassador to the Ottoman Empire.
Wallace crowned a voluminous body of writings with the publication of American masterpiece Ben Hur in 1880. He died Feb. 15, 1905, at his Crawfordsville home.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Government & Politics • War, Mexican-American • War, US Civil. A significant historical date for this entry is April 10, 1827.
Location. 39° 45.857′ N, 86° 9.537′
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. D.P. Erwin & Company Building (a few steps from this marker); Ernest "Ernie" Pyle (within shouting distance of this marker); J.L. "Wes" Montgomery (within shouting distance of this marker); McKee Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Booth Tarkington (within shouting distance of this marker); Hotel Severin (within shouting distance of this marker); Hibben, Hollweg & Company Building (within shouting distance of this marker); South Meridian Street (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Indianapolis.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 4, 2023. It was originally submitted on April 27, 2019, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 203 times since then and 27 times this year. Last updated on December 2, 2021, by Carl Gordon Moore Jr. of North East, Maryland. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on April 27, 2019, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
