Edwin Forbis Glenn

Edwin Forbes Glenn was born on January 10, 1857, near Greensboro, North Carolina. He attended a private boys school in North Carolina followed by a preparatory school in New York. In 1877, Glenn graduated from the United States Military Academy.

Following his graduation, Glenn was commissioned into the 25th Infantry Regiment and served on frontier duty from 1877 to 1888. In 1888, he became the first professor of Military Science and Tactics at the University of Minnesota, where he also taught mathematics. During his time in Minnesota, Glenn studied law and earned a degree, subsequently joining the Minnesota Bar.

He served as judge advocate of the Department of the Dakota, and later the Department of the Columbia. Starting in 1898, Glenn commanded military expeditions in the District of Alaska and was among the first non-indigenous persons to cross Isabel Pass. After concluding his exploration missions, he took on the role of judge advocate in the Philippines in 1900.

While serving in the Philippines, Glenn and his subordinates, including Arthur L. Conger, faced accusations of subjecting Filipinos to torture by water cure. Glenn was court-martialed and convicted, resulting in a suspension from command for one month and a fine of fifty dollars. The other soldiers under his command were not charged.

Between 1905 and 1907, Glenn commanded the Columbus Barracks. He then returned to the Philippines with the 32nd Infantry Regiment, where he served until 1913. He attended the United States Army War College in 1913 and, upon graduation, was appointed Chief of Staff of the Department of the East. From 1916 to 1917, Glenn commanded the 18th Infantry Regiment and the First Separate Brigade at Camp Cody.

He was promoted to brigadier general on May 15, 1917, and to major general on August 5, 1917. Glenn organized and commanded the 83rd Infantry Division from August 25, 1917, to January 13, 1918. During this period, he was awarded the Legion of Honour.

In 1919, Glenn commanded Camp Sherman in Ohio during the demobilization process. He retired from active service as a brigadier general in December 1919.

Apart from his military career, Glenn served as one of the early presidents of the organization that eventually became the Association of the United States Army, serving from 1913 to 1920. He authored two books: "Glenn's International Law" in 1895 and "Rules of Land Warfare" in 1914.

In retirement, Glenn resided in Glendon, Moore County, North Carolina. He died on August 5, 1926. In June 1930, Congress posthumously restored his rank to major general.

Regarding his personal life, Glenn married Louise Smythe of Saint Paul, Minnesota, in 1886. They had three daughters: Louise (Mrs. Otis R. Cole), Edwina (Mrs. James A. Garfield), and Elizabeth (Mrs. Harold R. Tyler).