Rank: Captain
Unit: A Co, 2d Cavalry
Commissioned: United States Military Academy class of 1861 and appointed from New Hampshire.
Date of birth: 7 March 1835
Hometown: Litchfield, New Hampshire
Married: Marcia V
Campaign: Civil War
Died: 19 September 1864
Age at death: 29
Cause of death: Killed in action
Location of fatality: Winchester, Virginia
Click to open a new window to view general location of Soldier’s fatality.
Place of interment: Litchfield Presbyterian Church Cemetery in Litchfield, New Hampshire
Click to open a new window to view Soldier’s grave site on the Find A Grave website.
Notes: 39th in his class of 44 graduated cadets.
Second Lieut., 2d Dragoons, May 6, 1861.
Served during the Rebellion of the Seceding States, 1861‑64. Drilling Volunteers at Washington, D. C., May to July, 1861, fought in the Manassas Campaign of July, 1861, being engaged in the Battle of Bull Run, July 21, 1861, in the Defenses of Washington, D. C., July, 1861 to Mar., 1862
Promoted to First Lieut., 2d Cavalry, Aug. 13, 1861.
Assigned as as Adjutant, 2d Cavalry, Jan. 1, 1862, to Oct. 17, 1863, being engaged at regimental headquarters in the Virginia Peninsular Campaign, Mar. to Aug., 1862, — in the Northern Virginia Campaign, Aug. to Sep., 1862, — in the Maryland Campaign, Sep. to Nov., 1862, — and in the Rappahannock Campaign, December., 1862, to May 31, 1863; in the Pennsylvania Campaign and on the Rappahannock, at Regular Brigade headquarters (Army of the Potomac), May 31, 1863, to February. 4, 1864; on Mustering duty in New Hampshire, February. 4 to June 5, 1864.
Promoted to Captain, 2d Cavalry, February. 13, 1864.
Acting Asst. Inspector-General of Cavalry Reserve Brigade, June 5 to Sep. 19, 1864, being engaged on “Indicates a West Point graduate and gives his class. Sheridan’s Raid” toward Charlottesville, June 7‑28, 1864, — Battle of Trevillian Station, June 11‑12, 1864, — Action of Darbytown, July 28, 1864, — and in the Shenandoah Campaign, Aug.‑Sep., 1864, participating in several Skirmishes and the Battle of Opequan, Sep. 19, 1864.
Captain McQuesten’s death is cited in the book:
Private Sheely was also killed in this battle. Captain T. Rodenbough and 15 Soldiers were wounded. Lieutenant W. H. Harrison and five other Soldiers were missing. A total of 24 causalities in this battle occurred