Stanton served in and commanded the 1st Maryland Infantry Regiment in the final months of the war, being brevetted for his services at the Battle of Five Forks.

Stanton was born on February 2, 1840, in Baltimore and spent his early life as a merchant.

When the American Civil War broke out, Stanton enlisted in the Union Army on May 15, 1861, as a 1st Sergeant of the 1st Maryland Infantry Regiment by President Lincoln himself.

[2][3] After being promoted to full Colonel on March 20, 1865, Stanton participated in the Appomattox campaign and was given command of the 2nd Brigade of the 2nd Division of the V Corps.

[6] For his services in the battle, Stanton was brevetted Brigadier General on April 1, 1865, for "gallant conduct in the Battle of Five Forks, VA." with the brevetting confirmed in 1867.