John E. Wool facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Major General
John Wool
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Daguerreotype of General John E. Wool by Southworth & Hawes
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| Born | February 20, 1784 |
| Died | November 10, 1869 (aged 85) Troy, New York
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| Allegiance | United States of America Union |
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Branch
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United States Army Union Army |
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Rank
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| Commands | Department of the East Department of the Pacific Department of Virginia VIII Corps |
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Conflicts
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War of 1812 American Civil War |
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John Ellis Wool (born February 20, 1784 – died November 10, 1869) was an important officer in the United States Army. He served in three major 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 known as one of the army's most skilled leaders and a great organizer.
In 1861, when the Civil War began, Wool was one of only four top generals in the U.S. Army. He had served the longest of all of them. At 77 years old, he was the oldest general fighting on either side of the war. He was in charge of the Department of the East.
Contents
Early Life and Education
John Ellis Wool was born in Newburgh, New York. He became an orphan when he was young and went to live with his grandfather in Troy, New York. He went to a local school. At age twelve, he started working in a store in Troy. Later, he studied law and became a lawyer.
War of 1812: A Young Officer's Battles
When the War of 1812 started, Wool was a lawyer in Troy, New York.
Battle of Queenston Heights: A Brave Start
At 28, Wool volunteered for the army. He became a captain in the 13th U.S. Infantry Regiment on April 14, 1812. He fought in the Battle of Queenston Heights in 1812. During this battle, he was shot in his legs.
Captain Wool led a small group of 60 men. They moved secretly through thick trees. They surprised the enemy and captured their cannons. However, the British had already damaged the cannons. The Americans spread out on the heights above the British and Canadians. They hid among the trees and kept firing their guns. British commanders, including Isaac Brock, were killed while charging the hidden Americans. Even though the Americans had a good position, they eventually lost the battle. This was because their spirits were low, they feared the Native American allies of the British, and their leaders were weak.
Battle of Plattsburgh: Holding the Line
After he recovered from his injury, Wool was promoted to major on April 13, 1813. He led the 29th U.S. Infantry Regiment with great skill at the Battle of Plattsburgh in 1814.
On September 6, 1814, a large British army arrived. The British and Americans fought fiercely. Major Wool and his 250 soldiers slowly fell back. They used fences and trees for cover. They fought the British for six miles, firing and retreating.
Near the Platt farm, American soldiers hid three cannons behind a stone wall. They also hid behind the wall with young volunteers. The cannons and soldiers fired, causing many British casualties. American losses were much smaller. Wool's soldiers then retreated across the Saranac River and destroyed the bridge.
Wool and the American forces held their ground. The British faced many problems, including losing a naval battle and getting lost. They also faced constant attacks from American militia hiding in the woods. The British finally gave up and left the battlefield, making the Americans the winners.
After this battle, John Ellis Wool was promoted to Brevet Lieutenant Colonel on September 11, 1814.
Continuing His Military Career
Even though he had little formal education, Wool stayed in the military. He was promoted to colonel and became the Inspector General of the Army in 1816. In 1832, he traveled to Europe to study other armies.
He also helped with the removal of the Cherokee people from Georgia and Tennessee in the 1830s. He set up Fort Butler in North Carolina as a main base for this effort. In 1841, Wool became a brigadier general. Later, in 1847, he was put in charge of the Department of the East.
Mexican–American War and Service in Oregon
Wool was given command of the Center Division during the Mexican-American War. He led an expedition that captured Saltillo. After marching his troops 900 miles from San Antonio, Texas, he joined General Zachary Taylor at the Battle of Buena Vista. Wool's strong leadership earned him a special sword from Congress and a promotion to major general. After the battle, he was in charge of the forces occupying northern Mexico.
He commanded both the Department of the East (1847–1854 and 1857–1860) and the Department of the Pacific (1854–1857). While in the East, General Wool helped start the city hospital in Troy, New York, in 1848.
While leading the U.S. Army Department of the Pacific, General Wool played a big part in settling the Indian Wars in Oregon. This included the Rogue River Indian War. He arrived late in this conflict, after the Oregon government and volunteer groups had already caused much harm to the tribes in southwestern Oregon.
General Wool, based in California, wrote to local newspapers about the situation in Oregon. He often supported the Native American tribes and criticized the actions of the volunteer groups. The government decided to move the Native American tribes to special areas called reservations. This was to allow settlers to take their lands. General Wool was given the job of carrying out this plan.
Civil War: An Old General's Last Fight
When the Civil War began in April 1861, John Wool was 77 years old. He was two years older than the main U.S. Army commander, Winfield Scott. Unlike Scott, who had many health problems, Wool was still quite fit and could ride a horse.
In August 1861, John Ellis Wool became commander of the U.S. Army Department of Virginia. He held this job until June 1862. He quickly helped prepare the first groups of soldiers sent from New York to the nation's capital. His fast actions secured Fort Monroe, Virginia, for the Union. This was important because other military bases in the South were falling to the Confederate forces.
Fort Monroe protected the entrance to the Chesapeake Bay and the James River. It also overlooked Hampton Roads and the Gosport Navy Yard, which the Confederates had taken. The fort was a key supply base for Maj. Gen. George B. McClellan's plan to attack Richmond.
Wool, who was in his seventies, thought McClellan was not attacking fast enough. In May 1862, Wool sent troops to take over the Navy yard, Norfolk, and nearby towns after the Confederates left them. President Abraham Lincoln himself saw the capture of Norfolk. Afterward, he rewarded Wool by promoting him to a full major general in the regular army. This made Wool only the 23rd person to hold this high rank since 1791.
President Lincoln decided Wool should have an easier job because of his age. In June 1862, Wool was transferred to command the Middle Department, which later became the VIII Corps. He led the 8th Corps until December 1862. Then, in January 1863, he again took command of the Department of the East until July 1863.
However, Wool found his way back into action. After the Battle of Gettysburg, he led troops to help control the draft riots in New York City in July 1863. These riots happened when people protested being forced to join the army. Rioters destroyed many buildings, including an orphanage for Black children. Even with a small force, Wool managed to control the situation until more soldiers arrived. So, from July 13–17, 1863, Wool was the main military commander of New York City.
On August 1, President Lincoln ordered Wool to retire after 51 years in the Army. At 79, he was the oldest general to be in active command during the war.
Retirement and Death
Wool believed he was still healthy and able to serve. He was shocked and angry about being retired. He wrote many letters to the War Department to protest, but it didn't change anything. He kept sending letters to Presidents Andrew Johnson and Ulysses Grant for the rest of his life, but his retirement stood.
Wool lived in Troy, New York, for his last five years. He died on November 10, 1869. He was buried in Oakwood Cemetery in Troy. A tall monument called an obelisk was built there to honor him.
Images for kids
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Daguerreotype of General John E. Wool by Southworth & Hawes
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Col. John E. Wool, around 1825
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Sword presented to Wool in honor of his victory at the Battle of Buena Vista
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Gen. Wool in The champions of the Union, a picture from 1861
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Wool Monument at Oakwood Cemetery