John E. Wool, a distinguished American general, was born in Newburgh,
New York, in 1789. He received but a scanty education, and passed the
greater part of his youth in the store of a merchant at Troy, in the
situation of clerk. He afterwards commenced the study of law, but at
the end of a year he gave up the idea of following this profession,
and, war having been declared with Great Britain, he procured a
captain’s commission in a regiment of infantry, and joined the forces
under General Van Rensselaer, on the Niagara frontier. In the course
of this war he distinguished himself greatly. For his services at
Queenstown he was promoted to the rank of major; and for his gallant
conduct at Plattsburgh he was made lieutenant-colonel, by brevet.
During the interval of peace which followed the treaty of Ghent,
Colonel Wool performed several important services. In 1832, he was
despatched to Europe, for the purpose of procuring information on
military matters; and in discharge of that duty he traveled through
France and Belgium, and was present at Antwerp during the siege of
that city by the French. In 1836, he superintended the removal of the
Indians from the Cherokee country to the Arkansas; and, in 1838, he
was placed in command of the Maine frontier during the troubles
arising out of the boundary question. In 1841, he had risen by
successive steps to the rank of brigadier-general. During the war with
Mexico, General Wool was attached to the army under General Taylor;
and it was to his skill and energy that the Americans were greatly
indebted for the victory of Buena Vista. For his services on this
occasion he was appointed major-general by brevet. Since the
conclusion of the Mexican war, General Wool has been in command of the
northeastern division of the American army, and now resides in the
city of Troy.
[Illustration: GEN. WOOL.]