John E. Wool
Encyclopedia
John Ellis Wool was an officer in the United States Army
during three consecutive U.S. wars: the War of 1812
, the Mexican-American War and the American Civil War
. By the time of the Mexican-American War, he was widely considered one of the most capable officers in the army and a superb organizer. He was one of the four general officers of the United States Army
in 1861, and was the one who saw the most Civil War service. When the war began, Wool, at age 77, a brigadier general
for 20 years, commanded the Department of the East. He was the oldest general on either side of the war.
, at the outbreak of the War of 1812
. He volunteered and became a captain in the 13th United States Infantry Regiment
. He fought at the Battle of Queenston Heights
in 1812, where he was wounded. He had led a group of American soldiers up a fisherman's path to the British artillery stationed on top of the heights. Then, in the face of an infantry charge led by famed British general Isaac Brock
, he rallied his men and held his ground, repulsing the charge and leading to the death of Brock, although eventually losing the battle itself. When he recovered, he was promoted major
of the 29th United States Infantry Regiment, which he led with distinction at the Battle of Plattsburgh
in 1814. After the battle, he was a major of the 6th United States Infantry. He emerged from the war with the rank of colonel
and the office of inspector-general.
to observe foreign military organizations and operations. He became the Inspector General
of the U.S. Army and participated in the deportation of the Cherokees
from Georgia and Tennessee. He established Fort Butler at present-day Murphy, North Carolina
, the eastern headquarters of the military removal of the Cherokee
. In 1841, he was promoted to brigadier general
in the U.S. Army and commanded the Department of the East.
. After leading his troops 900 miles from San Antonio, he joined General Zachary Taylor
at the Battle of Buena Vista
. There his gallant leadership earned him a Congressional
sword, a vote of thanks, and the brevet
of major general
. After the battle he commanded the occupation forces of northern Mexico. He commanded the Eastern Department and the Department of the Pacific
at the end of the war.
, Wool's quick and decisive moves secured Fort Monroe
, Virginia, for the Union
. The fort guarded the entrance to Chesapeake Bay
and the James River
, overlooking Hampton Roads
and the Gosport Navy Yard, which the Confederates
had seized. It was to serve as the principal supply depot of Maj. Gen.
George B. McClellan
's Peninsula Campaign
. In May 1862, Wool's troops occupied the navy yard, Norfolk
, and the surrounding towns after the Confederates abandoned them; he was then promoted to the full rank of major general in the regular army. General Wool was reassigned to command the Middle Department
, then the VIII Corps. In January 1863, he again assumed command of the Department of the East
, and led military operations in New York City
during and after the draft riots
the following July. Shortly thereafter, on August 1, 1863, General Wool retired from the army following more than fifty years of service. He was the oldest general officer to execute active command in either army during the war.
He lived in Troy
, New York
, for the remaining five years of his life and is buried there in Oakwood Cemetery.
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
during three consecutive U.S. wars: the War of 1812
War of 1812
The War of 1812 was a military conflict fought between the forces of the United States of America and those of the British Empire. The Americans declared war in 1812 for several reasons, including trade restrictions because of Britain's ongoing war with France, impressment of American merchant...
, the Mexican-American War and the American Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
. By the time of the Mexican-American War, he was widely considered one of the most capable officers in the army and a superb organizer. He was one of the four general officers of the United States Army
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
in 1861, and was the one who saw the most Civil War service. When the war began, Wool, at age 77, a brigadier general
Brigadier general (United States)
A brigadier general in the United States Army, Air Force, and Marine Corps, is a one-star general officer, with the pay grade of O-7. Brigadier general ranks above a colonel and below major general. Brigadier general is equivalent to the rank of rear admiral in the other uniformed...
for 20 years, commanded the Department of the East. He was the oldest general on either side of the war.
War of 1812
A native of Newburgh, New York, Wool was practicing law in Troy, New YorkTroy, New York
Troy is a city in the US State of New York and the seat of Rensselaer County. Troy is located on the western edge of Rensselaer County and on the eastern bank of the Hudson River. Troy has close ties to the nearby cities of Albany and Schenectady, forming a region popularly called the Capital...
, at the outbreak of the War of 1812
War of 1812
The War of 1812 was a military conflict fought between the forces of the United States of America and those of the British Empire. The Americans declared war in 1812 for several reasons, including trade restrictions because of Britain's ongoing war with France, impressment of American merchant...
. He volunteered and became a captain in the 13th United States Infantry Regiment
13th Infantry Regiment (United States)
The 13th Infantry Regiment is a United States Army infantry regiment whose battalions are currently tasked as basic training battalions.- History :...
. He fought at the Battle of Queenston Heights
Battle of Queenston Heights
The Battle of Queenston Heights was the first major battle in the War of 1812 and resulted in a British victory. It took place on 13 October 1812, near Queenston, in the present-day province of Ontario...
in 1812, where he was wounded. He had led a group of American soldiers up a fisherman's path to the British artillery stationed on top of the heights. Then, in the face of an infantry charge led by famed British general Isaac Brock
Isaac Brock
Major-General Sir Isaac Brock KB was a British Army officer and administrator. Brock was assigned to Canada in 1802. Despite facing desertions and near-mutinies, he commanded his regiment in Upper Canada successfully for many years...
, he rallied his men and held his ground, repulsing the charge and leading to the death of Brock, although eventually losing the battle itself. When he recovered, he was promoted major
Major (United States)
In the United States Army, Air Force, and Marine Corps, major is a field grade military officer rank just above the rank of captain and just below the rank of lieutenant colonel...
of the 29th United States Infantry Regiment, which he led with distinction at the Battle of Plattsburgh
Battle of Plattsburgh
The Battle of Plattsburgh, also known as the Battle of Lake Champlain, ended the final invasion of the northern states during the War of 1812...
in 1814. After the battle, he was a major of the 6th United States Infantry. He emerged from the war with the rank of colonel
Colonel (United States)
In the United States Army, Air Force, and Marine Corps, colonel is a senior field grade military officer rank just above the rank of lieutenant colonel and just below the rank of brigadier general...
and the office of inspector-general.
Peace time service
An orphan with little formal education, Wool remained in the service, where he had the opportunity to visit EuropeEurope
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
to observe foreign military organizations and operations. He became the Inspector General
Inspector General
An Inspector General is an investigative official in a civil or military organization. The plural of the term is Inspectors General.-Bangladesh:...
of the U.S. Army and participated in the deportation of the Cherokees
Trail of Tears
The Trail of Tears is a name given to the forced relocation and movement of Native American nations from southeastern parts of the United States following the Indian Removal Act of 1830...
from Georgia and Tennessee. He established Fort Butler at present-day Murphy, North Carolina
Murphy, North Carolina
-Household Income:The median income for a household in the town was $24,952, and the median income for a family was $35,234. Males had a median income of $30,395 versus $16,908 for females. The per capita income for the town was $16,926...
, the eastern headquarters of the military removal of the Cherokee
Cherokee
The Cherokee are a Native American people historically settled in the Southeastern United States . Linguistically, they are part of the Iroquoian language family...
. In 1841, he was promoted to brigadier general
Brigadier general (United States)
A brigadier general in the United States Army, Air Force, and Marine Corps, is a one-star general officer, with the pay grade of O-7. Brigadier general ranks above a colonel and below major general. Brigadier general is equivalent to the rank of rear admiral in the other uniformed...
in the U.S. Army and commanded the Department of the East.
Mexican-American War
The Mexican-American War gave General Wool another opportunity to distinguish himself. He took command of the Center Division and led the Chihuahuan Expedition, which resulted in the capture of SaltilloSaltillo
Saltillo is the capital city of the northeastern Mexican state of Coahuila and the municipal seat of the municipality of the same name. The city is located about 400 km south of the U.S. state of Texas, and 90 km west of Monterrey, Nuevo León....
. After leading his troops 900 miles from San Antonio, he joined General Zachary Taylor
Zachary Taylor
Zachary Taylor was the 12th President of the United States and an American military leader. Initially uninterested in politics, Taylor nonetheless ran as a Whig in the 1848 presidential election, defeating Lewis Cass...
at the Battle of Buena Vista
Battle of Buena Vista
The Battle of Buena Vista , also known as the Battle of Angostura, saw the United States Army use artillery to repulse the much larger Mexican army in the Mexican-American War...
. There his gallant leadership earned him a Congressional
United States Congress
The United States Congress is the bicameral legislature of the federal government of the United States, consisting of the Senate and the House of Representatives. The Congress meets in the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C....
sword, a vote of thanks, and the brevet
Brevet (military)
In many of the world's military establishments, brevet referred to a warrant authorizing a commissioned officer to hold a higher rank temporarily, but usually without receiving the pay of that higher rank except when actually serving in that role. An officer so promoted may be referred to as being...
of major general
Major general (United States)
In the United States Army, United States Marine Corps, and United States Air Force, major general is a two-star general-officer rank, with the pay grade of O-8. Major general ranks above brigadier general and below lieutenant general...
. After the battle he commanded the occupation forces of northern Mexico. He commanded the Eastern Department and the Department of the Pacific
Department of the Pacific
The Department of the Pacific was a major command of the United States Army during the 19th century.-Formation:The Department of the Pacific was first organized on October 31, 1853, at San Francisco, California, taking over from the previous Pacific Division. The department reported directly to...
at the end of the war.
Oregon
General Wool contributed extensively to the settling of the Indian Wars in Oregon, especially the Rogue River Indian War. He came into the conflict late, after the Oregon territorial government was formed and after the Volunteer Militias had committed many acts of genocide against the Tribes in Southwestern Oregon. General Wool was based in California and sent many opinions of the Oregon situation to the local papers. His opinions were generally in defense of the Indians and in condemnation of the Militia's acts. Indian removal to reservations occurred in order to save them from further violence from the settlers. He wrote his opinions of several conflicts in a letter to Governor Stevens:Civil War
In the early days of the Civil WarAmerican Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
, Wool's quick and decisive moves secured Fort Monroe
Fort Monroe
Fort Monroe was a military installation in Hampton, Virginia—at Old Point Comfort, the southern tip of the Virginia Peninsula...
, Virginia, for the Union
Union (American Civil War)
During the American Civil War, the Union was a name used to refer to the federal government of the United States, which was supported by the twenty free states and five border slave states. It was opposed by 11 southern slave states that had declared a secession to join together to form the...
. The fort guarded the entrance to Chesapeake Bay
Chesapeake Bay
The Chesapeake Bay is the largest estuary in the United States. It lies off the Atlantic Ocean, surrounded by Maryland and Virginia. The Chesapeake Bay's drainage basin covers in the District of Columbia and parts of six states: New York, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, and West...
and the James River
James River (Virginia)
The James River is a river in the U.S. state of Virginia. It is long, extending to if one includes the Jackson River, the longer of its two source tributaries. The James River drains a catchment comprising . The watershed includes about 4% open water and an area with a population of 2.5 million...
, overlooking Hampton Roads
Hampton Roads
Hampton Roads is the name for both a body of water and the Norfolk–Virginia Beach metropolitan area which surrounds it in southeastern Virginia, United States...
and the Gosport Navy Yard, which the Confederates
Confederate States of America
The Confederate States of America was a government set up from 1861 to 1865 by 11 Southern slave states of the United States of America that had declared their secession from the U.S...
had seized. It was to serve as the principal supply depot of Maj. Gen.
Major general (United States)
In the United States Army, United States Marine Corps, and United States Air Force, major general is a two-star general-officer rank, with the pay grade of O-8. Major general ranks above brigadier general and below lieutenant general...
George B. McClellan
George B. McClellan
George Brinton McClellan was a major general during the American Civil War. He organized the famous Army of the Potomac and served briefly as the general-in-chief of the Union Army. Early in the war, McClellan played an important role in raising a well-trained and organized army for the Union...
's Peninsula Campaign
Peninsula Campaign
The Peninsula Campaign of the American Civil War was a major Union operation launched in southeastern Virginia from March through July 1862, the first large-scale offensive in the Eastern Theater. The operation, commanded by Maj. Gen. George B...
. In May 1862, Wool's troops occupied the navy yard, Norfolk
Norfolk, Virginia
Norfolk is an independent city in the Commonwealth of Virginia in the United States. With a population of 242,803 as of the 2010 Census, it is Virginia's second-largest city behind neighboring Virginia Beach....
, and the surrounding towns after the Confederates abandoned them; he was then promoted to the full rank of major general in the regular army. General Wool was reassigned to command the Middle Department
Middle Department
The Middle Department was an administrative military district created by the United States War Department early in the American Civil War to administer the troops in the Middle Atlantic states....
, then the VIII Corps. In January 1863, he again assumed command of the Department of the East
Department of the East
The Department of the East was a military administrative district established by the U.S. Army on March 5, 1866, with boundaries encompassing all the states east of the Mississippi River...
, and led military operations in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
during and after the draft riots
New York Draft Riots
The New York City draft riots were violent disturbances in New York City that were the culmination of discontent with new laws passed by Congress to draft men to fight in the ongoing American Civil War. The riots were the largest civil insurrection in American history apart from the Civil War itself...
the following July. Shortly thereafter, on August 1, 1863, General Wool retired from the army following more than fifty years of service. He was the oldest general officer to execute active command in either army during the war.
He lived in Troy
Troy, New York
Troy is a city in the US State of New York and the seat of Rensselaer County. Troy is located on the western edge of Rensselaer County and on the eastern bank of the Hudson River. Troy has close ties to the nearby cities of Albany and Schenectady, forming a region popularly called the Capital...
, New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
, for the remaining five years of his life and is buried there in Oakwood Cemetery.
See also
- List of American Civil War generals