Born in Elizabethtown, Indiana, Veatch studied law privately, passed the Indiana Bar in 1840, established a legal practice in Rockport, Indiana in 1841 and that year, was chosen auditor of Spencer County. Elected to serve in the state legislature in 1861, he instead joined the 25th Indiana Infantry at Evansville and on August 19, was mustered in with the regiment as its colonel.

First detailed to Missouri, Veatch and the 25th served at Fort Donelson. He assumed command of the 2nd Brigade/6th Divisionl XVI Corps/Army of the Tennessee, and under Brigadier General Stephen A. Hurlbut, anchored the left of the Union line in the battle of Shiloh on April 6, 1862. He fought well and was appointed brigadier general; he took part in the campaigning around Corinth, the occupation of Memphis, Tennessee, and the pursuit of Major General Earl Van Dorn's army after the October, 1862 battle of Corinth. In January, 1863, he briefly took command of the District of Memphis, but was soon replaced by Brigadier General Ralph P. Buckland.

Veatch resumed command at Memphis in March, 1863, serving until January 1964, when he assumed leadership of the 4th Division/XVI Corps, over the objections of Major General Oliver O. Howard, who deemed him less than industrious.

After service in the Atlanta campaign, Veatch went on sick leave in July, 1864. On returning to duty in September, he awaited orders in Memphis and fulfilled administrative duties. He then took leadership of the 1st Division/XIII Corps/Army of the Gulf on February 18, 1865. He served with this division throughout the Mobile campaign. He was commander of the District of West Louisiana and was mustered out in August, 1865. After leaving the volunteer service, he was awarded a brevet promotion to major general for his service at Mobile.

Veatch returned tO his legal practice in Rockport and won appointments as adjutant general of Indiana in 1869, and as collector of internal revenue from 1870 to 1883. He died in Rockport on December 22, 1895.

Also:

The Not as Famous: Gen. Daniel Harris Reynolds

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