WOOL, JOHN ELLIS, an American military officer; born in Newburgh, N. Y. Feb. 20, 1784. On the breaking out of the War of 1812, he obtained a captain's com mission, and distinguished himself at the storming of Queenstown Heights, where he was severely wounded, and for which he was promoted to the rank of major, and also at the battles of Plattsburg and Beekmantown, and for his gallantry in the last of these actions he was brevetted lieutenant-colonel. At the end of the war he was retained in the regular army; in 1818 appointed lieutenant-col onel; and in 1826 brevetted Brigadier General. In 1832 he was sent to Europe, to examine the military systems of the principal nations, and was everywhere received with marked respect. On his return, he was appointed to inspect the coast defenses, and in 1836 was charged with the removal of the Cherokee In dians to Arkansas. At the breaking out of the Mexican War, General Wool was assigned the duty of organizing the vol unteers, after which, with a body of 3,000 troops, he set out for the seat of war, where he distinguished himself by the strict discipline and order which he enforced. He was in a measure instru
mental in gaining the battle of Buena Vista, for which he was favorably men tioned by General Taylor and brevetted Major-General, besides receiving the thanks of Congress and being presented with a sword. At the close of the war he remained in command of Monterey till order was restored. He was after ward transferred to the Department of the Pacific. At the outbreak of the Civil War, he hastened to offer his services to the Government, and was sent to New York to organize the volunteers. He took the responsibility of re-enforcing Fort Monroe, and thus saved that im portant post. In August, 1861, he was appointed to the Department of Virginia, and afterward to the command of the Middle Department, with his head quarters at Baltimore. In May, 1862, he was promoted Major-General, U. S. A. He died in Troy, N. Y., Nov. 10, 1869.