SPEAR, Samuel P., soldier, born in Boston, Massachusetts, in 1815; died in New York city, 5 May, 1875. He enlisted in the United States army in 1833, and served in the 2d dragoons in the Seminole war and through the Mexican campaign, in which he was wounded at Cerro Gordo. Subsequently he served on the plains against hostile Indians and in the Utah expedition, and was long sergeant-major of his regiment. In the beginning of the civil war he entered the volunteer army as lieutenant-colonel of the 11th Pennsylvania cavalry, his commission dating from 25 September, 1861. The regiment was raised as an independent body for scouting service, under authority of the secretary of war, but in November, 1861, was incorporated in the Pennsylvania state organization. Spear became its colonel on 25 August, 1862. He commanded several expeditions during the war, was brevetted brigadier-general on 13 March, 1865, received severe wounds at Five Forks, and resigned on 9 May, 1865.