A SKETCH 
 
 OF THE 
 
 LIFE AND PUBLIC SERVICES 
 
 MAJ. GEN. JOHN E. WOOL, 
 
 UNITED STATES ARMY. 
 
 WITH A PORTRAIT. 
 
 FROM THE DEMOCRATIC REVIEW, 
 
 NOVEMBER, 1851. 
 
 Nero-lark: 
 
 ETTEL L' & MOORE, 
 170 BROADWAY. 
 
 1851. 
 
 n 
 
^5 
 
 MAJOR GENERAL U.S. ARMY 
 
A SKETCH 
 
 OF THE 
 
 LIFE AND PUBLIC SERVICES 
 
 OF 
 
 MAJ. GEN. JOHN E. WOOL, 
 
 UNITED STATES AEMY. 
 
 WITH A PORTRAIT. 
 
 FROM THE DEMOCRATIC REVIEW, 
 
 NOVEMBER, 1851. 
 
 Neto-JJork : 
 
 KETTELL & MOORE, 
 170 BROADWAY. 
 
 1851. 
 
Bancroft Library 
 
 MAJOR GENERAL JOHN E. WOOL, 
 
 UNITED STATES ARMY. 
 
 A PROMINENT feature of American character is the wonderful facility 
 with which the man embraces the opportunity, the instinctiveness with 
 which genius avails itself of an opening for its development, and the rare 
 energy with which it displays itself amidst the most discouraging circum 
 stances. Never was a nation more affluent in men of genius, and never 
 were institutions more admirably adapted to their scope. In every prac 
 tical department of life, the highest intellect has been found equal to the 
 most trying exigencies. Hence it is, that whether upon the land, or on the 
 ocean, in the machinery of industry, of legislation, of defence, or of con 
 quest, in every branch of practical science, America has taken the lead, 
 and offered the world examples of the greatest excellence. In the rapid 
 advance of the civilized world during the last half century towards the 
 amelioration of the condition of the human race, some self-taught Ameri 
 can intellect has prompted each important step, and consolidated each 
 forward movement ; and the recent campaigns in Mexico have shown the 
 world how even the horrors of war may be softened, and desolation of 
 conquest converted into blessings, by the military skill and administrative 
 genius of American commanders. In this view, the Mexican campaign of 
 General John E. Wool will stand out in history as a model campaign. 
 
 General Wool is emphatically a self-made man. Every step of his pro 
 motion has been gained by substantial services, and nothing by favor. 
 Feebly supported by professing and lukewarm friends, and opposed by 
 calumniators and enemies, he has forced his way without faltering over the 
 roughest paths of life, with a firm step and a stout heart ; and, without 
 being trumpeted into a transient notoriety, has cut his path to glory with 
 his own sword. Although he has been his own schoolmaster, yet it must 
 not be understood that he disdains to swell the volume of his knowledge 
 from the humblest as well as the highest sources. Without other military 
 education than the instincts of his own genius, he left the counting-house 
 at the darkest period of our military history, and, almost by his single 
 arm, turned the tide of conquest, raised our drooping banner from the 
 dust, reanimated the troops, and revived the hopes of the nation ; subse 
 quently, for twenty-five years, he was, as inspector general, the ' back 
 bone" of our military system. He kept up the efficiency of our little force, 
 and, when the army of occupation was trembling on the brink of destruc 
 tion, his incredible energies prepared, in six weeks, the material of succor 
 and of conquest, and then pressed forward at the head of a column, nine 
 hundred miles into the heart of an enemy's country, without spilling one 
 drop of blood ; yet converting enemies into friends by protecting them, 
 not only from the rapacity of his own troops, but from the inroads of sav 
 ages ; acting the part of leader, conqueror, pacificator, protector, admin 
 istrator, and dispenser of justice ; and leaving on his path peace, security 
 and plenty, all of which were before strangers in the country, crowning his 
 campaign by the display of a combative genius and a fiercer energy in 
 conflict, for which the considerate kindness of his march had prepared 
 neither friends nor foes. 
 
The ancestors of General Wool emigrated early to New- York, and, at 
 once, became devoted to the interests of their adopted country. James 
 Woo], the grandfather of the Major-General, a respectable farmer, lived 
 on his own farm in Schaghticoke, in the county of Rensselaer ; and when 
 the Revolutionary War commenced, was almost on the frontier, and ex 
 posed to the incursions, not only of the Indians and the British from Can 
 ada, but to the depredations of the Tories, with which the country abound 
 ed, and whose feelings were much embittered against the patriots, to whose 
 principles he was enthusiastically attached. Under such circumstances, he 
 frequently carried arms into the fields which he cultivated. 
 
 Of the sons of James Wool, five bore arms in the war of the Revolu 
 tion. Two were made prisoners at the capture of Fort Washington, and 
 underwent the horrors of imprisonment in the New- Jersey Prison-ship. One 
 died of his sufferings, and the other barely escaped with his life. Another 
 was a captain in Lamb's Regiment of Artillery, and went with Mont 
 gomery in his expedition to Quebec. Afterwards he was under the com 
 mand of Washington in New- Jersey ; and in one of the battles in that 
 state he was so severely wounded, that for a long time he was unable to 
 do duty. Another the father of Major-General Wool, was with Gen. 
 Wayne in the storming of Stony Point. Another was with Stark at the 
 battle of Benriington, and another of the name, a great uncle, was one of 
 the Committee of Safety in the city of New-York in the early part of the 
 Revolution, and afterwards an Alderman of that city. 
 
 General Wool was born at Newburgh, Orange county, and had barely 
 completed the fourth year of his age, when his father died. He was then 
 taken into the family of his grandfather. During his residence with him, 
 he attended a common country school. At the age of 12 years, with a 
 scanty education, he entered the store of a merchant in Troy, with whom 
 he continued till he was 18, when he was induced to take charge of a book 
 and stationary stove, with the privilege of selling merchandise on his own ac 
 count. He thus continued until his hopes were blasted by fire, when he 
 entered upon the study of the law, at the office of John Russell, an emi 
 nent lawyer in Troy, and pursued with great assiduity the study of the law 
 for more than one year. 
 
 At this period there were strong indications of a war with Great Britain, 
 and Congress authorized an additional force of 25,000 men. The expecta 
 tion of war induced Wool to seek an appointment in the army, when, on 
 the recommendation of Governor Clinton and others, he was, in the spring 
 of 1812, just before the declaration of war, appointed a captain in the 
 13th Regiment U. S. Infantry. He immediately entered upon the duties 
 of his office, and after recruiting his company, joined his regiment at Green- 
 bush, where he continued till September, when the regiment was ordered 
 to the Niagara frontier. On th3 arrival of the regiment at Onondaga, five 
 companies, under the command of Lieut Col. Christie, were detached and 
 ordered to Niagara by way of Lake Ontario. 
 
 The success of the allied armies in Europe against the immortal French 
 emperor had imparted a color of invincibility to British arms, and there 
 were not wanting the usual base tools of tyranny operating through the 
 pulpit, prostituted as on a recent occasion, to the schemes of English in 
 triguers, to lend effect to that delusion, and to attempt, by internal strife, 
 to prostrate the country at the feet of England. An unfortunate Fcries of 
 events had aided to discourage the people and to dishonor the flag. The 
 
declaration of war found the country unprepared for defence, with a 
 large party in the country in the British interests ; nevertheless, the war 
 commenced, and the honor of opening the campaign was conferred upon 
 General William Hull, upon whose unfortunate proceedings it is not here 
 necessary to dwell. The fact was, that the nation's character was de 
 graded, and a strong effort was necessary to retrieve its honor. It was at 
 this moment that General Stephen Van Rensselaer determined to cross 
 the Niagara River, storm Fort George, and carry the heights of Queens- 
 town. The time fixed for the latter operation was October 13th, 1812. 
 The American general, Van Rensselaer, had under his command, at different 
 points, about 5,800 troops the British general, Brock, about, 2,800 ; the 
 head-quarters of the latter being at Fort George. On the morning of the 
 13th, about 3 o'clock, a detachment of 600 moved to Lewiston under 
 Lieut. Colonels Chrystie and Van Rensselaer, but instead of finding boats 
 for the whole detachment, there were only boats for one-half. The com 
 panies of Captains Wool, Malcolm and Armstrong were ordered to cross 
 in one party, while Col. Van Rensselaer followed with another. As Captain 
 Wool, the senior officer of the companies of the loth regiment, landed, 
 the British retreated. Meantime the colonel landed a short distance above 
 the place where Captain. Wool landed. Col. Van Rensselaer soon sent 
 orders to Captain Wool to advance on the heights and halt at their base, 
 which movement was made. Whilst thus in line, waiting further orders, 
 the 13th was severely attacked on its right flank, by a British party from 
 the village of Queenstown, or from that direction. Captain Wool, without 
 waiting orders from Van Rensselaer, ordered the 13th to the right, front 
 ing the enemy, who were finally repulsed and driven towards Queenstown ; 
 but not until they had inflicted a severe loss on the Americans. Of the 
 13th Infantry, Lieutenants Valleau and Morris, with a due proportion of 
 non-commissioned officers and privates, were killed, and Captain Wool 
 was shot through both thighs ; Malcolm and Armstrong, and Lieutenant 
 Lent, were badly wounded. Of the ten officers of the 13th, in this, ac 
 tion, only four escaped injury. Colonel Van Rensselaer having been 
 severely wounded, and Chrystie not having crossed, an order was given to 
 descend to the beach. Here the Colonel sank to the ground, exhausted 
 by the flow of blood, when Captain Wool, notwithstanding his wounds, 
 volunteered to storm the heights. Van Rensselaer was unwilling to 
 commit an enterprise so hazardous and important to the direction of 
 so young an officer, who, until that morning, had experienced no actual 
 service; yet, coerced by the necessity of the circumstances, his scruples 
 gave way, and Wool received his orders. Being gallantly seconded by 
 his officers, Wool commenced the ascent. Captain Wool, under the high 
 excitement of martial enthusiasm, was insensible to physical suffering or 
 the pain of his wounds, and effected the ascent, apparently, with as little 
 difficulty as others. The soldiers, supporting themselves by their mus 
 kets, finally gained the eminence in rear of the battery, and this daring 
 enterprise was crowned with complete success. A detachment of the 
 49th British regiment, which defended the battery, was driven down the 
 heights, and the Americans took possession, and, at sunrise, the flag of 
 their country, surmounting the works, proclaimed the triumph. 
 
 General Brock, aroused by these events, hastened from Fort George, 
 gathered a large force, attacked Captain Wool's gallant band with such 
 impetuosity, as to drive them to the brow of the cliff*. This was a trying 
 
6 
 
 moment. Before them were the British veterans, to meet whom was a 
 fearful odds behind them was an almost perpendicular cliff, to be forced 
 down which was sure destruction ; and it is not strange that some hearts 
 faltered. A dastard hand raised the white flag in token of surrender, but 
 Captain Wool tore down this flag, made a manly appeal to his men, 
 checked the panic, caused his little band again to become the assailants, 
 and drove the British veterans down the heights. But General Brock 
 rallied his troops anew, and again advanced upon the Americans. In 
 doing this, however, he fell dead from his horse, when his men flew in 
 every direction, leaving ten prisoners behind on the field. 
 
 Thus, after three bloody fights, this bold and daring enterprise was 
 achieved by two hundred and forty men, instead of six hundred detailed 
 for the service. Captain Wool formed his men on the heights, and was 
 soon joined by other detachments. This was about ten o'clock. About 
 two o'clock, Lieutenant Colonel Scott now General Scott and others 
 appeared, and took the command, while, after General Van Rensselaer 
 arrived, Captain Wool was ordered from the field, his wound dressed, and 
 he returned to Lewiston. 
 
 These deeds were done by a young American officer, in battle for the 
 first time, whose blood, during all these fights, was streaming from two 
 wounds. It was no ordinary duty that devolved on him. In his first 
 engagement he was surrounded with the direst perils of war, and saw it 
 in its most terrific aspect. His bark was launched on the " sea of glory," 
 when the storms were raging over its waters. Under such circumstances, 
 not only the highest qualities of the soldier, but the nerve and energy, 
 and martial enthusiasm of a hero, were indispensable to success. The 
 American arms were saved from disgrace and covered with glory, by the 
 unyielding firmness of one man ; and a moral example was given, which, 
 like that of Bunker Hill, imparted its invigorating influence to all the 
 subsequent transactions of the war. The light which spread its radiance 
 over the plains of Niagara and New-Orleans, first dawned on the heights 
 of Queenstown. 
 
 Official letters and the public journals abound with encomiums on the 
 gallantry of Captain Wool and his brave comrades. The National Intelli 
 gencer (1812) says : " Captain Wool, the hero of the heights of Queens- 
 town, is twenty-three years of age. It is presumed he will be breveted or 
 promoted. 
 
 This promotion immediately followed, for Captain Wool was made 
 major. He continued in the army on the northern frontier and in the 
 29th regiment of foot, volunteering his services wherever there was danger 
 to be met, or duty to be performed. More especially did Major Wool 
 distinguish himself by his usual coolness and intrepidity in the battle of 
 Pittsburgh, in 1814, from the 6th to the llth of September. The action 
 at Beekmantown took place on the 6th, and Major Wool was its hero. 
 General Macomb, while he was entrenching on the Saranac, ordered Ma 
 jor Wool to support the militia, and with 250 regular troops, and the 
 militia under Col. Miller, he kept the whole British column of 4000 at 
 bay fighting them inch by inch, and killing or wounding nearly two 
 hundred of the enemy. General Macomb (Sept. 15, 1814) mentioned 
 Major Wool's services, and recommended him to the particular notice of 
 the government. General Mooers' general orders of Sept. 13, 1814 
 commander of the militia were also full as to " the cool, intrepid and ad- 
 
mirable skill and good order displayed" by the regulars " under that ex- 
 cellent officer, Major Wool." 
 
 For his bravery on this occasion, Major Wool was breveted lieutenant- 
 colonel. Well did General Viele say to General Wool, in an address 
 made to him in 1848 : " The bloody Saranac will never cease to murmur 
 your praise;" and Governor Young, of New- York, in presenting him 
 (1848) with a sword, remarked, that " the people of the whole country saw 
 Captain Wool at Queenstown, marking his course with his own blood, 
 and Major Wool, at Plattsburgh and at Beekmantown gallantly resisting, 
 with 250 men, the whole British line, embracing 4000 regular troops." 
 It was such noble gallantry that redeemed the stain that had been fixed 
 on our national character, and gave such joy to the patriotic part of the 
 nation. 
 
 The government at Washington felt the importance of such an officer 
 as Colonel Wool, and in 1816 he was made Inspector General, he having 
 selected that from three appointments offered him, because it offered the 
 greatest scope for usefulness. In 1821 the office was enlarged from in 
 spector of division to inspector-general of the army. 
 
 It was this long experience and indefatigable attention to business con 
 centrated in General Wool, which made him the soul of the Mexican war, 
 and produced those marvellous results from a volunteer force which have 
 so astonished the world. It has been said in regard to our navy, that a 
 more rigid discipline is necessary on shipboard, than in the navies of 
 monarchical governments, because there is with us no rank on shore. That 
 is to say, while in England the officer comes from a family which occupies 
 a social position on shore far above that of the seaman, the habitual re 
 spect of the latter comes in aid of discipline. In the United States nothing 
 of the kind exists, but the social position of the subaltern officer on shore 
 may be higher than that of his superior. So also in the army, a higher 
 degree of discipline is necessary to sustain its efficiency for many reasons. 
 This is peculiarly the case with the eastern division. It is distributed in 
 small commands on a seacoast and inland frontier to the extent of 
 thousands of miles ; consequently, the troops being withdrawn from the im 
 mediate supervision of the chief commanders, require the greatest vigilance 
 and attention to prevent them from relaxing into idleness and dissipation. 
 In order to remedy this in some degree, the government arranged the dis 
 tricts into departments; and giving to each a responsible commander, all 
 their commands were subject to the continued inspection of General Wool. 
 In the course of these duties, he was required to visit every post, ascertain 
 the exact condition of every company, its state of efficiency and discipline 
 and to examine into the causes of deficiency, whether physical or moral, 
 estimate the capacity, habits and attention of each officer, and keep the 
 government constantly informed of the means of improvement. It may 
 be interesting to some of our military readers to glance at the nature of 
 the reports rendered to the government at Washington, commencing in 
 1816, and running through a quarter of a century : 
 
 ARTICLE I. CORPS OF ARTILLERY. 
 
 " No arm of the service is of more importance to this country, in peace or 
 war, than the corps of artillery ; and none re.quires so much the attention of 
 G-overnment. The very nature of its service contemplates essentially all that 
 relates to the science and practice of war, including the duties of the engineer, the 
 
8 
 
 ordnance and the infantry officer, which connect it with the mechanic arts, as 
 well as the materials common to all arms. Those circumstances, together with 
 its occupation of the important posts on the seaboard, ought, at least, to make 
 it the most perfect, if not the most efficient corps of the army. It is, however, 
 to be greatly regretted, that the officers of this corps have not app'i ed themselves 
 more attentively to the study of this extensive branch of service. While many 
 have been perfectly satisfied at an inspection with the exhibition of a good police, 
 a knowledge of artillery drill, and the performance of a few infantry evolutions ; 
 the high duties of artillery, the due care and preservation of public property, and 
 economy in the expenditure of the public money, have not appeared of sufficient 
 importance to attract their serious notice." 
 
 DISCIPLINE OF BATTALIONS. 
 
 "First Battalion, commanded by Brevet Col. , composed of Capt. , 
 
 , and , Companies. The first, Capt. , stationed at , was in 
 
 good order ; and the public property at that post, as far as practicable, in a state 
 of preservation. 
 
 " The second was in bad order. The commandant, Capt. , has neither 
 
 capacity nor industry sufficient to make a good artillerist ; consequently, I have 
 no hopes of his excelling as an officer, or of seeing his company in high order. 
 
 " The third, Capt. , was, as usual, in a condition wholly inadmissible, a 
 
 stranger to discipline, without system, order, or regularity. As Capt. is 
 
 under arrest, I deem it a measure of prudence to spare him for the present. 
 
 " The fourth excels in personal appearance, but deficient in a knowledge of 
 artillery duty, and is perfect neither in police nor infantry drills. 
 
 " The companies of this battalion, collectively considered, can claim no merit 
 or praise ; on the contrary, most of them being deficient in most of their duties, 
 deserve censure." 
 
 Throughout the whole army, embracing military academy, infantry, 
 light infantry, artillery, cavalry, &c., the inspection of corps was carried 
 to a great degree of minuteness. These inspections extend to all the 
 public property, its condition, and the means of preserving it; while the 
 expenditure of the government are ever carefully watched. 
 
 " The application of oil and paint to guns and carriages not in use, are not 
 required oftener than once in two or three years, if properly applied in the first 
 instance. At Charleston I examined a number of dismounted guns which had 
 been cleaned and painted more than two years since, and although exposed 
 during that period to the weather, they appeared as if only put in order a few 
 days before. If all the guns on the seaboard, excepting three or four at each 
 port, were dismounted, cleaned, and preserved in the same way, it would 
 undoubtedly save the nation considerable expense." 
 
 A constant supervision is exercised over collateral influences upon the 
 moral condition of the men, growing out of suttling, desertion, proximity 
 to cities, &o. ; also in relation to "commandants of departments," " quar 
 ter-master generals," " commissary-generals of provisions," and "hospital 
 department." 
 
 In 1835, when General Jackson had determined that France should pay 
 its old debt, an inspection was ordered of all the coast defences from 
 Maine to the delta of the Mississippi; and the report of General Wool 
 on that occasion develops a military and business capacity, together with 
 a statesmanlike view of the necessities of the country, which is seldom or 
 ever encountered in official reports. In 1830, he made a report on the 
 expediency of erecting fortifications on the northern frontier. This he dis 
 couraged as a useless expenditure, showing that modern science has ren- 
 
9 
 
 dered fortified posts useless between contiguous nations. His report on 
 the western defences, with reference to the economy of the cavalry service, 
 and the best mode of supplying it with horses, contains a volume of infor 
 mation. The reports upon the Florida war are models of military criticism. 
 
 The reports made from time to time to the government by General 
 Wool, are not only so exceedingly clear and correct in style as. to attract 
 the general reader, but they are fraught with the most profound and states 
 manlike views, betraying a most comprehensive knowledge of affairs, and 
 remarkable sagacity in estimating the consequences. 
 
 The report on the reduction of the army in 1830, is a model report. It 
 was drawn up during those years of European revolution, which marked 
 the accession of Louis Philip to the throne of France. We regret that we 
 cannot give it room ; but we cannot pass over one or two passages which 
 are directly applicable to our present state of affairs : 
 
 " It must be obvious to all who reflect upon the subject, that the condition of 
 nations must be that of alternate peace and war. It therefore follows as a self- 
 evident truth, that a long continuance of peace indicates the nearer approach of 
 war; and, instead of relaxing the efforts to sustain an efficient military organiza 
 tion, they ought to be increased in a ratio corresponding with the length of the 
 peace. The period when a military organization could be relinquished with the 
 least danger to the national safety, is immediately after the termination of a war. 
 This is submitted as a general proposition. But the disturbances in Europe at the 
 presenD moment, furnish, as I conceive, a strong additional argument for keeping 
 our military organization as perfect as possible, and for increasing, rather than 
 diminishing, our military force. Our peaceable relations with the nations of 
 Europe are always endangered, whenever those nations are belligerent, and the 
 United States neutral. It is then that little regard is paid to the neutral flag, 
 and neutral commerce is constantly subjected to vexatious interruptions, and 
 serious depredations. The flag is insulted ; our citizens on the high seas are 
 exposed, not only to the loss of property, but to personal indignities, and the vio 
 lation of personal liberty; and the marauder of the ocean, to justify his outrages, 
 points to the belligerent flag of his nation. Such wrongs and indignities, as a 
 nation, we have encountered, and to such, in all probability, we shall again be 
 exposed. 
 
 " It is impossible to foresee all the consequences which may follow the revolu 
 tion in Europe. One thing, however, is certain, the chances of hostilities are 
 every where increased, and no wise nation will, at such a period, deprive them 
 selves of any part of their existing means of defence." 
 
 Again, in 1842, when, in the midst of the dispute with England, there 
 was discussion about the reduction of the army, the pen of General Wool 
 on many occasions was powerfully and effectually exerted on the side of 
 patriotism. 
 
 In 1832, the government dispatched General Wool to Europe for pur 
 poses of information connected with military science, tactics, and improve 
 ment generally. He was selected for this mission as having the right 
 qualifications for the office. He sailed in the Charlemagne the last of June, 
 1832. He arrived in September, and was kindly received by the then 
 "citizen King." He was one of his Majesty's suite at a grand review 
 of 70,000 men, and 100 pieces of artillery. The minister of war con 
 ferred upon him power to visit all the military establishments of France ; 
 and directions were everywhere given to receive him with the most 
 marked civilities. General Wool dined repeatedly with the King ; and 
 well would it have been for that prince, had he comprehended the republi- 
 
10 
 
 can hints he then received. But the royal egotist replied, " De French 
 peoples have now de very best government what they can have." The 
 then famous avowal of Jackson, " to ask for nothing that is not clearly 
 right, and to submit to nothing that is wrong," was unmistakably personi 
 fied in Wool. In November of the same year, Wool was the guest of 
 the King of Belgium, and with him reviewed 100,000 troops, and the fa 
 mous fortifications of Antwerp. He was also present under the siege of 
 that city, under Chasse. 
 
 In 1836, General Wool was ordered to the Cherokee country to remove 
 the Indians to Arkansas. This duty he performed in a manner every way 
 satisfactory to the whites, and without giving cause of complaint to the 
 red men ; and upon disbanding the Tennessee volunteers, who had acted 
 under his orders, they addressed to him the most flattering testimonials of 
 respect. 
 
 In connection with this mission, the governor of the state of Alabama 
 thought proper to charge upon Wool an " attempt to usurp the power of 
 civil tribunals" in that state, " trampling upon private rights," &c. In con 
 sequence of this, a court of inquiry was, at his own request, ordered, General 
 Scott presiding. The finding of the court was not only an honorable acquit 
 tal, but the facts developed redounded greatly to the honor of the general. 
 It also gave him the opportunity of making that masterly defence which has 
 added so much to his reputation. The removal of a body of men like Indians, 
 from a country where they have been settled, in such a manner as to pre 
 serve the peace and protect all parties in their just rights, is a matter of 
 exceeding delicacy, and the government showed its judgment in selecting 
 Wool for a duty which required the exercise of such high faculties of the 
 mind. That bad men, whose designs upon the rights and properties of 
 others, should trump up malign charges against the inflexible justice which 
 frustrated their schemes, was but natural. The result was, however, highly 
 gratifying, not only to the friends of General Wool, but to the govern 
 ment, since his defence developed, in some degree, the breadth of his vast 
 administrative capacity, his just conception of the spirit of his mission, 
 and the promptness and precision with which he executed it. The full 
 legal consequences of his acts, the high moral sense of his responsibilities, 
 and the firm course with which he assumed them, are finely displayed. He 
 develops a character of the true Jackson stamp. The government decided 
 upon a rigid execution of the treaty, and Wool was the man to do it ; and 
 he did it with an integrity of purpose, decision, and vigor, that Jackson 
 could not have excelled. 
 
 During the Canadian difficulties, in 1838, and the grumbling of John 
 Bull, General Wool was employed on a military reconnoissance in the wilds 
 of Maine for the defence of the frontier. This duty, of extraordinary dif 
 ficulty under the circumstances, was performed under the guidance of that 
 clear perception of what is right, and that iron will in its enforcement, 
 totally regardless of consequences, which is so characteristic of Wool, and 
 that assimilates him in so marked a degree to General Jackson. 
 
 This long practical experience in almost every branch of the country's 
 service, an acquaintance with the means of defence which the country pos* 
 sesses, and administrative qualities which fall to the lot of very few men 
 to acquire or exercise, were combined in him. 
 
 General Wool is not the man to shrink from any service which his 
 country may require at his hands, or the call of her constituted authorities. 
 
11 
 
 His activity, promptitude, methodical habits, and decision of character, 
 are too well known to need specification, and these qualities make him as 
 indefatigable a man of business as he is an intrepid and scientific soldier. 
 
 Such was the man, of pre-eminent abilities, and so experienced, who be 
 came efficient in supporting the government when the Mexican war 
 took place. To his industry, address and energy, in organizing, inspecting, 
 and mustering into service, 12,000 men from six different states, in six 
 weeks, and pouring them down to the support of the enveloped column 
 of Taylor, and leading a portion of them on his immortal march of nine 
 hundred miles through an enemy's country, and effecting a junction with 
 Taylor, without losing a man ; organizing and drilling the united com 
 mand, selecting the frontier of Buena Vista, and promptly occupying it in 
 the face of the advancing Mexicans, may the great success of that war be 
 attributed. 
 
 It is not necessary hero to enter into the causes of the Mexican war, 
 either in respect to those remote ones growing out of the misconduct of 
 a nation doomed to destruction, or those immediate ones which, growing 
 out of mismanagement on the part of the leader of the army of occupa 
 tion, precipitated hostilities. While General Taylor was creating difficul 
 ties for himself through want of sufficient capacity to understand the 
 nature of his position in Texas, he was constantly discouraging the employ 
 ment of volunteers. His reiterated reports to the government, continued 
 even while danger was thickest around him, were all in opposition to the 
 calling out of troops, running in this wise : 
 
 " CORPUS CHRISTI, August 30, 1845. That communication will, I trust, reach 
 New-Orleans to-night or to-morrow, in time, I trust, to stop the employment of any 
 more volunteers." 
 
 " September 14, 1845. In view of the large reinforcements of regular troops 
 ordered to join me, I cannot believe that it will become necessary, under any cir 
 cumstances, to employ volunteers from the United States." 
 
 11 October 4, 1845. It is proper to add, that, should any auxiliary force be 
 required, I propose to draw it wholly from Texas. I do not conceive that it will 
 become necessary, under any circumstances, to call for volunteers from the United 
 States." 
 
 " October 15, 1845. Three hundred recruits are now wanted in the regiments 
 and detachments here." 
 
 "February 4, 1846. I shall not call for any militia force in addition to what I 
 already have, unless unforeseen circumstances shall render its employment ne 
 cessary." 
 
 "MATAMORAS, March 29, 1846. Under this state of things I must again, and 
 urgently, call your attention to the necessity of speedily sending recruits to this 
 army. The militia of Texas are so remote from the border, that we cannot depend 
 upon their aid." 
 
 11 April 15, 1846. I shall further authorize the raising of two companies of Texan 
 mounted men for service in this quarter, particularly for the purpose of keeping 
 open our communication with Point Isabel. 1 " 
 
 " April 26, 1846. I have this day deemed it necessary to call upon the governor 
 of Texas for four regiments of volunteers ; as some delay must occur in collecting 
 these troops, I have also desired the governor of Louisiana to send out four regi 
 ments of infantry as soon as practicable. If a law could be passed, authorizing the 
 President to raise volunteers for twelve months, it would be of the greatest im 
 portance to a service so remote as this." 
 
 " May 3, 1846. Owing to the peculiar nature of the country, and our deficiency 
 in the proper description of light troops, I have been kept ignorant, to a great de 
 gree, of his (the enemy's) movements." 
 
12 
 
 This last letter is dated May 3d, and twelve days after it was written, 
 Gen. Wool, then in the midst of his arduous duties at his head-quarters at 
 Troy, New-York, received an order to repair to Washington. From 
 this moment the military preparation became animated and efficient. 
 In order the better to estimate the extraordinary activity, energy and 
 skill with which this veteran soldier entered upon the execution of his 
 new duties, we shall state his movements chronologically. August 25th, 
 1845, he had orders to concentrate troops for Corpus Christi, to be drawn 
 from Boston, Portland and Portsmouth, to New- York. On the 26th, the 
 orders were all transmitted. The whole arrived, were mustered, and paid 
 off on the 31st, and ready to sail, but the ship was only ready on the 2d. 
 On the 15th of May, 1846, he received orders to repair to Washington. 
 He reported himself at the War Department in 48 hours. May 30th, 
 he received orders to proceed to Cincinnati, to organize and muster into 
 service the volunteers from Kentucky, Tennessee, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois 
 and Mississippi, which had been required by the President. On the 5th of 
 June he was in Columbus, holding conference with the Governor of Ohio. 
 On the next day he opened correspondence with all the governors, gen 
 erals, colonels, and regimental officers on one hand, and the War De 
 partment on the other. Moving between Cincinnati, Louisville, St. Louis, 
 Memphis and Alton, he was everywhere efficient. He was the only 
 man present who formed any conception of what was necessary for an in 
 vading army. 
 
 " It is impossible," said the general, in a Communication to the War Department, 
 " for the volunteers to get along without experienced staff-officers. They know 
 nothing about the service. I assure you we have few among them that know 
 any thing about any duty which appertains to furnishing supplies. From the 
 colonel down, they do not know what they want, or what is necessary for the 
 comfort of the troops, or to make them efficient for the field. I have been 
 obliged, in anticipation, to supply all their wants." 
 
 The general gave himself no rest ; he was compelled to perform duties 
 which really appertained to subordinate officers of various departments. 
 He kept a vigilant and almost sleepless eye over every branch of the ser 
 vice, from the artillery department down to the nosebags of the horses and 
 the medicines of the hospitals. During the revolutionary war, such an 
 amount of actual labor was never thrown on a general officer. He \vas 
 compelled to listen, and did listen with patience, to the countless com 
 plaints of the volunteers, and endeavored, as far as possible, to redress them, 
 if well founded ; and in all cases to soothe and keep them in good humor. 
 In restraining the ebullitions of a temper naturally fiery and impatient, he 
 discovered great forbearance and self-command. Familiar with every 
 branch of military service in all its details, the address and management 
 with which he encountered the difficulties that beset him, discovered an ac 
 curate knowledge of human nature, and of the mode of reconciling the 
 most independent and the most refractory spirits, but little accustomed to 
 restraint and to the subordination of the camp. The volunteers soon 
 learned that he was not one to be dallied with, and that in all things where 
 he had the right to command, he would be obeyed ; he was no trifler, and 
 they soon were convinced that he exacted nothing but what was just ; and 
 if he refused indulgences to them, he allowed none to himself. Even his 
 reputation as a severe disciplinarian did not extinguish the desire to serve 
 under his command ; for they were well assured, that when opportunities 
 occurred, he would give full play to their enterprise and martial spirit. 
 
13 
 
 By the llth July, General Wool had prepared, in all its details, an army 
 of 12,000 men. That is to say, in six weeks, or in less time than it took 
 General Taylor to find out whether he wanted volunteers or not, General 
 Wool, almost alone, had converted 12,000 citizens into an efficient army. 
 When this was completed, July llth, he received an order to turn over 
 his command to General Butler, and to repair to San Antonia, Texas, 
 there to concentrate the -troops that were to form his column of march 
 against Chihuahua. Without a moment's rest, he set out. July 15th, he 
 was at Alton, Illinois, inspecting the Illinois regiments. Eleven days after, 
 July 26th, he was at New-Orleans, giving a multitude of orders to procure 
 wagons, horses, mules, munitions, and all the supplies for the forward 
 movement. August 1st, he was at Lavaca, Texas, disembarking the troops, 
 looking after supplies and munitions, reviewing regiments, and perfecting 
 full instructions to act after his departure. August 14th, he was in San 
 Antonio, where he was to concentrate the troops of his column, and whence, 
 after his own incredible exertions, he was compelled to write, August 15th, 
 to General Taylor : 
 
 " I find," said he, " neither men, munitions, nor means of transportation, "which, 
 to a certain extent, it was confidently believed, would have preceded me. If the 
 troops under Colonel Harney had been here, it was my intention to have pro 
 ceeded at once to the Rio Grande, to select a point near the Presidio for the 
 establishment of a depot." 
 
 These difficulties, his immense activity and indomitable will overcame. 
 With but few staff officers, he did most of the duty himself, even that of 
 quartermaster; collected supplies, sent instructions to expected troops, and 
 took efficient measures to protect both Mexicans and Texans from the daily 
 inroads of savages. As the troops came up, the indefatigable general set 
 himself to form an army out of corps that met each other for the first 
 time. He rose early, and retired late ; he indulged in no amusements, but 
 devoted every hour, except the few in which he sought some rest by sleep, 
 to the service; and by incessant exertion, he began by degrees to form the 
 excellent but inchoate materials of the column which he was to lead into 
 Mexico, into shape and consistency. 
 
 Tie anxiously sought information in relation to Chihuahua, and the road 
 thither. All the accounts confirmed, in a most discouraging picture, the 
 difficulties of the route; nevertheless, General Wool, with 622 regulars, 
 and 2,339 volunteers, the larger portion of those which he had mustered 
 into service having been sent in admirable order to General Taylor, com 
 menced his perilous march, September 26th. October 8th he reached the 
 Rio Grande, making his own road through hills, and over streams, as he 
 went. The Rio Grande was 270 yards wide, and was passed by a flying 
 bridge, in face of a small Mexican force, and on the llth the invading 
 army marched forward, under an inspiring address from General Wool. 
 On the 24th October it entered Santa Rosa without resistance. Santa 
 Rosa is at the base of the mountains, which can only be passed on the road 
 leading from Saltillo to Chihuahua. The city of Monclova,, with 7,000 
 inhabitants, was reached October 29oh. Thus a march of 600 miles had 
 been accomplished in 36 days. At this place the hands of General 
 Wool were tied by the absurd armistice of Monterey, which was f >r 27 
 days. This time was spent in the most incessant duties, drilling the 
 troops, perfecting their discipline, reconnoitering the country, and collecting 
 
14 
 
 information respecting the movements of the enemy. The extent and 
 accuracy of the information thus acquired, and the clear manner in which 
 the state of affairs was stated by him, procured an abandonment of the 
 Chihuahua expedition. Having ascertained that the Mexican troops at 
 Chihuahua had fallen back to Durango and Zacatecas, and that nothing 
 was to be gained by going to Chihuahua but conquering distances, and 
 that Santa Anna was concentrating all the available forces of Mexico at 
 San Luis de Potosi, for the purpose, as he said, of driving the barbarians 
 of the North across the Rio Grande, if not the Sabine, General Wool, on 
 the 1st of November, wrote to General Taylor and urged him, if he had 
 authority, to abandon the expedition to Chihuahua, which was already 
 conquered, " and concentrate his forces, and not allow Santa Anna to beat 
 him in detail." He again wrote to the General on the 12th and 13th, re 
 peating what he had previously communicated, and again on the 19th ; at 
 the same time to Major Bliss, his Assistant Adjutant-General, and sent 
 these communications by his Aid-de-camp, McDowell. In his letter to 
 Major Bliss, he says, " delays are dangerous. This is the favorable time 
 for operating against the enemy. Take time by the forelock, and push on 
 before the enemy collects too large a force to bring against us. Urge the 
 General to concentrate his forces. Do not allow the enemy to beat us in 
 detail." At this time it was ascertained that at least 15,000 men were 
 concentrated at San Luis, and daily increasing. General Taylor having 
 received instructions from the Secretary of War to withdraw General 
 Wool's command from Chihuahua, if he should deem it advisable, trans 
 mitted to the latter by his aid-de-camp an order to occupy Parras, which 
 he did on the 5th December. Mean time, trusting to his own resources, 
 with the self-reliance of a great captain, he " cut the cord" of his com 
 munication, by ordering the companies to join the army in front, and on 
 November 24th resumed his march. On the 26th he received notice 
 that the Chihuahua expedition was abandoned, and also orders to occupy 
 Parras, 180 miles fromMonclova, 100 fromSaltillo, and 150 fromMonterey, 
 which he occupied December 5th ; and the admirable manner in which 
 this city was governed by General Wool, endeared him to its people. At 
 this time Taylor was at Monterey, and Worth at Saltillo. Wool had 
 orders, that in case Worth should be menaced, to proceed thither and as 
 sume command ; and Worth having sent notice of the approach of Santa 
 Anna, and solicited aid, Wool, with his column, was in motion to join him 
 December 17th, in two hours after the receipt of the notice. It may be 
 remarked, so excellent had been his management, that only fourteen of his 
 men were too sick to march, and the ladies of Parras contended for the pri 
 vilege of nursing them. 
 
 On the 21st of December, Wool encamped at Agua Nueva, twenty-one 
 miles in advance of Saltillo, and fourteen in advance of the memorable 
 field of Buena Vista ; thus completing a march of six hundred miles, 
 through an enemy's country, not only without shedding a drop of blood, 
 but having conquered the hearts of the enemy. 
 
 In the course of the march, his army had levelled hills, filled ravines, 
 constructed bridges, crossed rivers difficult of passage, and sandy plains, 
 scaled mountains, and finally, in eighty-five days, including twenty-seven 
 lost by the unfortunate armistice of Monterey, encamped at Agua Nueva, 
 the advanced position of the army of occupation, in high health, scarcely 
 losing a man on the march, and in a state of discipline which was the 
 
15 
 
 admiration of all military men. His column was so thorough in its ap 
 pointments, that it was the model of an army : it wanted nothing ; and 
 with the means then existing, was able to keep the field a year. All this 
 had been accomplished by unceasing vigilance, by an irresistible energy, 
 before which the most formidable obstacles gave way ; and by a system 
 of admirable military diplomacy, which enabled the commander to feed 
 his army from the resources of the country, and to sustain his credit by 
 the undeviating honor which characterized his conduct in all his engage 
 ments, and the prompt manner in which he fulfilled all his stipulations. 
 The annals of history furnish no instance of such a march as General 
 Wool's : no disasters occurred ; nothing was lost, and the army was 
 brought out in fine condition at the termination of this stupendous march, 
 and the military ability of the commander was too plainly manifested to 
 be controverted. He had shed no blood, converted enemies into friends, 
 and was in all places received as a protector rather than as a conqueror. 
 Slander was silenced ; and the restless spirit of envy, if not quelled, was 
 quieted. 
 
 Compare this with the friendly marches of Wellington in Spain, as 
 described by an English historian : 
 
 " Five hundred of the rear guard, under Cole, chiefly of one regiment, finding the 
 inhabitants had fled, according to their custom, whichever side was approaching, 
 broke open the houses, plundered, and got drunk. A multitude were left in the 
 cellars of Valdemors, and two hundred and fifty fell into the hands of the enemy ; 
 and the excesses committed by some of the soldiers were glaring, and furnished 
 proof that the moral conduct of a general cannot be fairly judged by following in 
 the wake of a retreating army. On this occasion there was no want of provi 
 sions, no hardships to exasperate the men ; and yet I, the author of this history, 
 counted, on the first day's march from Madrid, seventeen bodies of murdered 
 peasants. And a shallow observer might thence have drawn the most foul and 
 false conclusions against the English general and nation." 
 
 So far Colonel Napier, upon a march of Wellington, three hundred 
 miles in a friendly country. Now, General Wool marched six hundred 
 miles through an enemy's country, and so far from any outrage having 
 been committed by his men, the safety and morality of the townspeo 
 ple had never been so great, as during his presence, and this was entirely 
 owing to the high character of the General. What did General Wool 
 when he approached a town, even a hostile one 1 He protected the 
 persons and property of the inhabitants from any ill usage on the 
 part of his own men ; he even rescued some captives from the Indians 
 who infest Northern Mexico ; he saw that every thing got by his soldiers 
 from the Mexicans was fairly paid for ; in fine, he kept his division in 
 such excellent subordination, that not a single family was obliged to flee 
 at their approach, or had occasion to dread the outrages which so often 
 we had almost said invariably attend invasions, whether gratuitous or 
 provoked. 
 
 Napier endeavors to screen Wellington from blame for his incapacity 
 to command, but the condemnation of that officer is found in the example 
 of Wool. Let us now throw together the dates since Wool got his order 
 in May : 
 
 May 15, 1846, received order to go to Washington. 
 " 17, " reported in Washington. 
 " 30, " ordered to Ohio. 
 June 5, <* at Columbus. 
 
16 
 
 Jane 6, 1846, at Cincinnati. 
 
 July 11, 12,000 men organized and mustered. 
 
 " 15, at Alton, Illinois. 
 
 " 26, at New-Orleans. 
 
 Aug. 1, at Lavaca, Texas. 
 
 " 14, at San Antonio. 
 
 Sept,26, marched with army organized. 
 
 Oct. 8, at Rio Grande. 
 
 " 24, at Santa Rosa. 
 
 " 29, Monclova, 600 miles. 
 
 Nov. 24, marched, after 27 days' armistice. 
 
 Dec. 5, before Parras, 780 miles. 
 
 " 17, marched. 
 
 "21, at Agua Nueva, 900 miles from Lavaca. 
 
 In seven months he left his home, created two armies, one for Taylor 
 and one for himself, traveled 2,000 miles, organized 3,000 men into an in 
 vading force, marched 900 miles and encamped, as the advanced guard of 
 the American force, at Agua Nueva. But the indefatigable man thought 
 not of rest; as soon as his army, arrived on the 2 1st. was encamped, 
 he left with his staff the next day, the 22d, for Saltillo, found ge 
 nerals Butler and Worth sick in bed, learned from them the state 
 of affairs, and with the dawn, December 23d, started for Agua Nueva. 
 Never for a moment was his intellect idle. When the party reached 
 Angostura, which they had passed in a thick fog the previous evening, 
 Wool halted, and after viewing the ground, exclaimed : "This is the 
 spot of all others I have yet seen in Mexico, which I should select for 
 battle, were I obliged with a small army to fight a large one. The net 
 work of deeply-worn channels on the right will completely protect that 
 flank, and the heights on the left will command the road ; while the ra 
 vines in front, which extend back to the mountain on that side, will cripple 
 the movements of the enemy, should he attempt to turn that flank." 
 
 Wool, in his conversation, enlarged much on the superior advantages of 
 this as a battle field. Carleton communicated his opinion to the officers 
 of the camp, many of whom visited the spot, and all concurred in the 
 opinion of General Wool. 
 
 December 26, General Butler assumed command, and, for some reason, 
 ordered General Wool to fall back to Encantada. There he remained 
 some weeks in a situation which was unfavorable to the efficiency of his 
 corps. On the 21st January, General Butler proceeded to Monterey, 
 and thence to the United States, an event which placed the troops in and 
 near Saltillo under command of Wool. Immediately active preparations 
 were commenced. General Lane, governor of Saltillo, received full in 
 structions for the defence of that city, and Captain Webster was ordered 
 to complete a field work, and occupy it with two 24 pound howitzers. This 
 work commanded the city, and incessant exertions kept the command in 
 fine order. January 30th, the reports of the movements of the enemy 
 and the appearance of large bodies of cavalry in the neighborhood of Sal 
 tillo, aroused General Taylor at Monterey, who, in opposition to the advice 
 of General Scott and the War Department, established his camp, February 
 5th, at Agua Nueva, with the intention of there fighting the Mexicans. 
 February 10th, General Wool followed with Lane's brigade, leaving Major 
 Warren with four Illinois companies to hold Saltillo. General Taylor 
 now placed the whole camp under the command of Wool. His own 
 troops were in a high state of discipline ; not so with the volunteers 
 
17 
 
 under General Taylor. The army had been weakened by the withdrawal of 
 the regulars for the service of Scott's campaign, and the volunteers of 
 Taylor required the skill and activity of Wool to improve their efficien 
 cy. That general, although complained of by the volunteers for his al 
 leged too strict discipline, was nevertheless respected for his own inde 
 fatigable industry and manifest genius. These qualities, as is always the 
 case, ultimately secured him the admiration of the troops after they had 
 learned to appreciate the value of discipline. 
 
 " And each day's improvement gave evidence of his indefatigable exertions, as 
 well as the aptness and intelligence of the volunteers, who were taught under 
 his superintendence." 
 
 The great difficulty with General Taylor was his mental and physical 
 indolence. When he had once imbibed an idea, no matter how erroneous, 
 nothing but positive blows would induce him to relinquish it. He had a 
 notion that the large army at San Louis was destined for Vera Cruz ; and 
 he would not relinquish it until Santa Anna was capturing his wagons. 
 As late as the 14th February, in a communication to the Adjutant General, 
 he says : 
 
 " Rumors reach our camp from time to time of the projected advance of a 
 Mexican force upon this position, but I think such a movement improbable." 
 
 It was, however, his determination, if the Mexican chief should 
 attack him, to meet him at Agua Nueva. From the 30th January 
 to February 20, there were constant rumors of the approach of 
 20,000 to 30,000 Mexicans; and every American officer was con 
 vinced of the truth of those reports, except Taylor. He did not 
 believe the Mexicans were coming to Agua Nueva, but was fully de 
 termined to fight them there, if they did come. On the 20th, the actual 
 advance of the Mexicans dispelled one illusion, and with that fled another, 
 viz., the ability to fight at Agua Nueva. He had been there three weeks, ne 
 ver doubting that it was strong battle ground ; when the Mexicans were ac 
 tually upon him, he reconnoitered, and found it could be turned ; then, 
 for the first time, he listened to General Wool. He writes himself,March 4 : 
 
 11 Not exactly liking my position, having ascertained that Santa Anna could 
 gain my rear by two roads on my right and one on my left, and deeming it pru 
 dent not to divide my forces, and having apprehensions about my supplies, which 
 were in Saltillo, I determined at once to fall back towards that place about 12 
 miles, and occupy a strong position between two spurs of a mountain with a nar 
 row valley between them. Said position had been closely examined by the to 
 pographical engineers under the eye of General Wool, who deemed it admirably 
 adapted to meet a large with a small force, as well as adapted to the description of 
 force which composed our army. 
 
 The statement that the engineers had examined the pass was not true. 
 General Wool alone had examined it, and his advice had, under the illu 
 sion that the army would fight at Agua Nueva, been utterly neglected 
 until the moment of retreat, which took place on the evening of the 
 21st, 14 miles, to Buena Vista. Colonel Yell was left at Agua Nueva, 
 to bring off or destroy the provisions which there was now no time to 
 save. McKee, with the Kentuckians and a section of Washington's artil 
 lery, were stationed at Encantado, to cover the retreat of Yell. The 
 army arrived at Buena Vista on the evening of the 21st, and Taylor imme 
 diately continued his march with the Mississippi regiment, Sherman's 
 and Bragg's batteries, (eight guns,) and May's dragoons, that is, all the 
 
 2 
 
18 
 
 troops that had ever been in battle, to Saltillo, five miles further in the 
 rear : thus leaving Wool, with 8,000 raw troops, to meet the enemy 
 pouring down from Agua Nueva, flushed with supposed victory, capturing 
 wagons, and driving before them the American advanced guard. Wool 
 knowing his ground, promptly set to work to stem the enemy's advance. 
 
 The farm of Buena Vista is five miles from Saltillo, on the road to Agua 
 Nueva, which runs through a narrow valley, formed by two ranges of 
 mountains. A branch of the river Tigre flows through this valley ; and one 
 mile and a half in advance of Buena Vista, is the pass of Angosturo. On 
 the right of this pass, and between it and the mountains, the river had 
 worn a net-work of deep channels, which were impassable for any troops. 
 On the left of the pass were a succession of plateaux separated by deep 
 ravines, and forming tongues of land, stretching from the mountains to the 
 road. The most elevated of these tongues approach the road the nearest, 
 and form, with the river, the pass La Angosturo. 
 
 The whole American army consisted of the following troops : 
 
 UNITED STA.TES ARMY FEBRUARY 22. 
 Companies.' Numbers. Sick and absent. With the colors. 
 
 1st Dragoons, 2 Steen 133 15 118 
 
 2d " 2. ...May 76 76 
 
 3d Artillery, 2.... Bragg Sherman 150 1 149 
 
 4th " " 1 Washington & O'Brien.. 117 6 Ill 
 
 Regulars 476 22 444 
 
 Arkansas cavalry,... 10 Yell 479 62 417 
 
 Kentucky " 7 .... Marshall 330 43 288 
 
 Mississippi riflee, 8 Davies 368 10 358 
 
 2d Kty. infantry, .. .10 M'Kee 571 27 544 
 
 1st Indiana, 10 Lane 603 70 533 
 
 2d " 10.... Bowles 650 65 585 
 
 1st Illinois, 8 Hardin 580 32 548 
 
 2d " 8 Bissel 573 48 525 
 
 Texas volunteers,.. .1.... Conner 61 4 57 
 
 Spy company 1 .... M'Culloch 27 27 
 
 Total volunteers, 4,283 360 3,933 
 
 Grand total, 4,759 382 4,377 
 
 Of these, four Illinois companies, 290 men, and Webster's artillery, 80 
 men, making together 370, were at Saltillo, and Taylor had taken thither 
 the 2d dragoons, the od artillery, and Davis's regiment, together 547 
 men ; deducting these 917, leaves 3,016 men with Wool under arms. 
 
 As soon as Taylor left, Wool ordered Hardin to throw up a parapet on 
 the right and left of the road, and also one across the road, where Wash 
 ington's battery of eight pieces was stationed, and that was the key of the 
 position. Santa Anna having passed Agua Nueva in the night, was be 
 fore Angostura early in the morning of the 22d. Wool notified Taylor, 
 who was at Saltillo, of Santa Anna's approach. He also marched his troops 
 forward, and occupied the pass. Directly in rear of Washington's battery, 
 was Col. M'Kee's 2d Kentucky regiment; on the right, two companies 
 of the 1st Artillery ; on the left of the battery, six companies 1st Illinois, 
 Col. Hardin ; on the left of M'Kee the 2d Illinois, Col. Bissell ; Gen. Lane, 
 with the Indiana Brigade, was on the left, rear of the 2d Illinois, with Steen's 
 dragoons in its rear; Marshall and Yell were with Gorman's rifles towards 
 the mountain on the left. After all these dispositions were made, Taylor, 
 at 10 o'clock on the 22d, arrived, and pronounced " the army in a position 
 
19 
 
 of remarkable strength." He brought back with him six Mississippi com 
 panics, and Sherman and Bragg's batteries of 7 pieces, having left 
 one gun to guard his camp at Arispa's Mills, one mile from Saltillo, 
 with two companies of the Mississippi regiment. On his arrival, 
 Wool rode along the line, reminding the soldiers that it was Washington's 
 birthday, and " he trusted no American soldier would disgrace it." The 
 troops responded with great enthusiasm. At 11 o'clock, Gen. Taylor re 
 ceived from Santa Anna a summons to surrender, stating that he was sur 
 rounded with 20,000 men. This was declined, of course, and soon after 
 the light troops of Ampudia were seen to ascend the mountain on the left. 
 Wool immediately ordered Marshall, with Yell's dragoons and Gorman's 
 rifles, to meet and check the movement. At the same time Gen. Taylor, 
 by some strange fatality, ordered M'Kee's regiment, with two pieces of 
 Bragg's battery, and Pike's squadron, across the gullies to the right, a dis 
 tance of two miles, over a most difficult route. Knowing the impracticable 
 nature of the ground, Santa Anna paid no attention to the movement. 
 Three of Washington's pieces, and Bowie's Indiana regiment, had been also 
 detached to the left. Having thus weakened the centre, and placed M'Kee 
 hors du combat, in case of a vigorous attack of the enemy, at the close of 
 the day, Gen. Taylor says in his report : 
 
 " I became convinced that no serious attack would be made before the next 
 morning, and returned with the Mississippi regiment and the 2d dragoons to 
 Saltillo, thus leaving the battle ground in charge of General Wool." 
 
 The troops bivouacked on the field, and slept on their arms. 
 The night was stormy and intensely cold, and in the course of it, the 
 enemy reinforced Ampudia in the mountains, with 2,000 infantry. At 2 
 o'clock in the morning, the American pickets were driven in. At dawn of 
 day Ampudia again attacked the left, and was successfully met by Marshall, 
 with Gorman's rifles. These W T ool reinforced with Trail's Illinois ri 
 fles. At this moment, viz., dawn of day, Santa Anna organized three 
 columns, one under Villamil, to attack Washington's battery by the 
 road, and two others under Pacheco and Lombardini, to force the Ameri 
 can left, and then join Villamil, on the Saltillo road. At the same time he es 
 tablished a battery of three pieces under the mountain, 800 yards from the 
 American left. To meet this storm, Wool had less than 3,000 men. 
 Thus there were at Saltillo 370 men ; and Taylor further disposed of the 
 following : 
 
 Marched to Saltillo, the only troops that 
 
 hud ever been iu battle. Marched to the right. 
 
 Davis, 358 
 
 Bragg, one gun, 20 
 
 May's troops, 70 
 
 Men,.. ..448 
 
 M'Kee 544 
 
 Bragg, 2 pieces,. . 50 
 
 Pike's squadron, 150 
 
 Men,.... 744 
 
 Together make 1,562 men, leaving Wool in hand 2,815 men, with 
 which to meet twenty thousand Mexicans. 
 
 Thus the small army of 4,600 was divided into three parties, and Wool 
 met the storm as best he might. At 7 A. M. Villamil attacked by the 
 road, and was repulsed by the most wonderful calmness and precision of 
 firing by Washington's battery. They were so roughly handled, that 
 they never renewed the attack. At the same time Pacheco and Lombardini 
 attacked the left centre. Here they encountered Lane with Bowles, 2d 
 Indiana, O'Brien's artillery, 3 pieces, Bissell'.i 2d Illinois, and Sherman's bat 
 teries. They were repulsed with great loss, and the new corps dispersed. 
 At the moment of the dispersion of these corps, Lane ordered an advance, 
 
20 
 
 and Bowles, of the 2d Indiana, ordered a change of position, which pro 
 duced panic and flight on the part of some of the men. In vain the gallant 
 Bowles and Lane strove to remedy the disaster. The opening left by the 
 departure of the regiment was seized upon by Santa Anna, who promptly 
 organized and thrust in a new column, which broke the American line, 
 compelling O'Brien to change position, by which he lost a piece. The 
 Mexicans poured in upon the plateau, converging towards Washington's 
 battery in great force. They were gallantly met by the 2d Illinois, part 
 of the 1st Illinois, Sherman's battery, and M'Kee's Kentuckians, which had 
 with incredible exertion been recalled by Gen. Wool from its idle position 
 on the right, where it had been ordered by Gen. Taylor, but it was a long 
 and difficult march back. This united force drove the Mexicans back to 
 the mountains with great loss, but several thousands passed to the Amer 
 ican left and rear. 
 
 At this moment Taylor got back from Saltillo with May's squadron, hav 
 ing left the Mississippi regiment to follow. These were the first three attacks. 
 Washington's batteries repulsed one ; the second, by the left centre under 
 General Lane ; and the last was repulsed by Wool's bringing from the 
 right, and uniting with the others, the Kentucky regiment, where it 
 had been so erroneously sent the night before. If Wool had had that 
 regiment in hand to support the Indianians, the Mexicans would 
 never have got upon the plateau, and the battle would have been ter 
 minated in a victory, before Taylor returned from Saltillo.* Or even had 
 Taylor not kept the Mississippi regiment uselessly marching and counter 
 marching, but left it where it wanted to be, viz., to meet the enemy, no dis 
 aster would have occurred. He marched that regiment from Agua Nueva 
 to Saltillo on the 21st, from Saltillo to Angostura and back to Saltillo on 
 the 22d, and again to Angostura on the 23d. That is to say, the regiment 
 marched 40 miles without any object, and returned just in time to meet 
 the Mexican rupture on the American left. 
 
 As we have seen, when Taylor arrived, Wool having forced the Mexicans 
 to the mountains, he then hastened after the retreating Indianians. He over 
 took Lane, Bowles and Gorman wounded, and hastened in the direction of 
 Buena Vista. At half distance he met the Mississippi regiment coming up. 
 Col. Davis and Wool succeeded in rallying some of the Indianians behind the 
 Mississippians, and they charged the advance of the column of Mexicans who 
 had escaped to the rear, and forced them to the mountains. At the same time 
 Torrejon, with a body of lancers, outflanked the Mississippians and attacked 
 Buena Vista, whence they were driven partly over the mountains by the 
 cavalry of Marshall and Yell, and the rifles of Trail and Gorman. Many 
 of them regained the column in front of the Mississippians. At this juncture 
 Wool brought up the 3d Indianians, some of the rallied 2d Indianians. and 
 Kilburn's piece of artillery ; these being joined by Sherman and Bragg with 
 five pieces, drove back the Mexicans with great vigor. At this moment, 
 General Taylor, with singular fatality, again played into the hands of the 
 Mexicans. Santa Anna, to save that column from the blows of Wool, 
 sent a flag to Taylor to know " what he wanted." Although the Mexicans 
 never ceased firing, General Taylor entertained the flag, and sent Wool 
 to meet Santa Anna. Although General Wool remarked that the officers 
 denied that they came with a flag, he undertook the mission of course, 
 but on reaching the battery of the Mexicans, as they refused to cease fire, 
 
 * Vide report of the Mexican Engineer. 
 
21 
 
 he terminated the parley and returned without seeing Santa Anna. After 
 reporting the result of his mission to General Taylor, he returned to the 
 left, and with the Mississippi and 3d Indiana regiments, and Sherman's arid 
 Bragg's batteries, set to work to repair lost time by renewing the action ; 
 and pursuing the Mexicans with great havoc, forced them to the 
 mountains, where some 2,000 dismayed Mexicans became huddled 
 together in the recess of the mountain. At this moment General 
 Taylor was seized with compassion for the Mexicans, " and to save 
 human life," sent Mr. Crittenden, a volunteer aid, to demand a surrender of 
 the Mexicans thus huddled together in great confusion, and which Captain 
 Bragg refers to in his report of the part he acted. The troops were ordered 
 to cease firing, "and the Mexicans with the flag made their escape, and re 
 gained the plateau." As the retreating column came upon the plateau, 
 Haidin, Bissel and McKee sent it flying towards the Mexican lines with 
 
 freat havoc. General Taylor was absent at this critical moment. 
 Ie says, " I had left the plateau for a moment, when I was recalled 
 thither by a heavy musketry fire." 
 
 Now, what had happened in this " moment ?" Santa Anna had formed 
 all his reserves behind the plateau, and as the Americans drove the rescued 
 column before them, Santa Anna fell upon them with his whole line, and 
 overwhelmed the American centre, driving them before him. This was the 
 crisis of the battle, and it was saved by Wool, who, foreseeing the play of 
 the Mexicans, as soon as Taylor had allowed the Mexican column to escape 
 from the left, hurried Sherman and Bragg's batteries, with the Missis- 
 sippians and the 3d Indianians, to the right. We may let Taylor describe 
 what followed himself: 
 
 " I had left the plateau for a moment, when I was called hither by a very heavy 
 musketry fire ; on regaining that position, I discovered that our infantry (Illinois 
 and Kentucky) had engaged a greatly superior force of the enemy, evidently his 
 reserves, and that they had been overwhelmed by numbers. The moment was 
 most critical. Captain O'Brien, with two pieces, had sustained this heavy charge 
 to the very last, and was finally obliged to leave his guns on the field, his infantry 
 support being entirely routed. Captain Bragg, who had just arrived from the left, 
 was ordered at once into battery, without any infantry to support him ; and, 
 at the imminent risk of losing his guns, this officer came immediately into action, 
 the Mexican line being a few yards from the muzzle of his pieces. The first dis 
 charge of canister caused the enemy to hesitate ; the second and third drove him 
 back in disorder, and saved the day." 
 
 The Mexicans were driven back, but made a show of returning. Gen. 
 Wool rallied all the troops on the plateau, and concentrated them to meet 
 him. But the attack was not renewed. Whilst this contest was going 
 on at Buena Vista, Minon with 2,000 cavalry attacked Saltillo ; but was 
 repulsed by means of the arrangements previously made by Wool in that 
 view. 
 
 It was confidently expected that the enemy would attack again the 
 next day. Generals Taylor and Wool occupied the same tent the for 
 mer slept, while the latter was occupied the whole night with orders and 
 supplies. At dawn he mounted his horse to reconnoitre, and discovering 
 the retreat of the enemy, announced the fact to the troops, and reported 
 it to Taylor. 
 
 That which presents itself most forcibly to the mind of the reader on 
 reviewing the facts of the battle, is the universal agency of Gen. Wool. 
 
22 
 
 He foresaw all, planned all, and performed all, and his foresight remedied 
 the mistakes which the mental inactivity of Taylor caused him to com 
 mit. First, the army was three weeks at Agua Nueva "before Gen. Tay 
 lor ascertained that a battle could not be fought there safely, and became 
 convinced of what Wool saw at a glance sixty days previously, viz., that 
 Angostura was the point to fight. When concluded upon retreating in 
 face of the enemy, he left Wool with the raw troops to meet the Mexi 
 cans, and took all the veterans with him to Saltillo. For what reason he 
 went to Saltillo, has never been explained. He says himself, generally 
 " to look after its defences." But Wool had put it in a state of defence 
 thirty days previously ; and Gen. Taylor in those visits made no change in 
 those arrangements of Wool ; but Minon was repulsed by Webster on the 
 instructions issued by Wool to Major Warren. If there had been defences 
 to look after, it was not the business of the Commander-in-chief to leave a 
 battle field to look after them he should have sent another. When he 
 returned, he found the troops in line of battle. He pronounced " the 
 position very strong." And all that he did, was to order McKee's Ken- 
 tuckians two miles to the right, to a position where it was impossible for 
 the enemy to attack. He did so, because he did not know what Wool 
 knew, viz., that the nature of the ground rendered a force there useless. 
 It was for the same reason that he remained so long at Agua Nueva, viz., 
 that he had neglected to reconnoitre. Thus he marched 500 men ten 
 miles for no other purpose than to weaken Wool's line of battle. The 
 efficiency of the best troops was immensely weakened by their long, use 
 less marches. He again returned on the 23d, only to save the Mexican 
 column from the blows of Wool, by sending Crittenden with a flag giv 
 ing the enemy great advantage. At the final onset he was absent from 
 the field, when the battle was saved only by the foresight of Wool. 
 Twice the battle of Wool was marred by the inopportune orders of Tay 
 lor, involving great loss of American life. 
 
 As we have seen, on General Wool devolved the duty of creating the 
 army which won that victory. Volunteers submit to military restraint with 
 but a bad grace ; and Wool, who imposed those restraints, was the object 
 of dislike to the troops until they became soldiers ; he was then the object 
 of their admiration. No man, without the iron nerve of a Jackson or a 
 Wool, would have borne up so long against this feeling. 
 
 They were at Buena Vista surrounded by an army of twenty-four thousand 
 of the best disciplined, the most numerously officered, and the most veteran 
 army ever raised in Mexico. Ten thousand of them, with Ampudia, had 
 been under fire at Monterey, and there were officers and men who had 
 fought against old Spain, and made civil war their pastime for twenty-five 
 years. What would have been the fate of our brave and devoted little 
 army, if discipline had been neglected ? Probably in one hour they would 
 have been thrown into confusion, and then, if the sanguinary design of the 
 Suwarrow of Mexico had been carried out, seconded by his licensed assas 
 sins, the infuriated lancers and his Cossacks, the rancheros who were 
 placed as additional outposts to cut off every straggler, and were all thirst 
 ing for blood and plunder, not one man of our heroic band would have 
 survived to tell the tale of horror. 
 
 It is not surprising, therefore, that we find not only a change of opinion 
 as to the absolute necessity of discipline, but an outpouring of grateful ad 
 miration towards General Wool, for his steady determination in enforcing 
 
23 
 
 it, and his admirable example in directing it to the best advantage on the 
 field of battle. He had known battle fields before. But the volunteers, 
 with the exception of one regiment, had never been under fire. He knew 
 that his sole dependence in the hour of trial would be from that self-con 
 fiding bravery which discipline alone inspires. Accordingly he had, from 
 the moment his army was concentrated at San Antonio, in the latter part 
 of August, until (after accomplishing a march of 900 miles) he presented 
 them in front of Saltillo, on the alarm of General Worth in the latter part 
 of December, and thence up to the very day of battle, directed the whole 
 energies of a long military life to make his column not only the proudest 
 model of an army in all its appointments, equipments and supplies, but 
 the best in its discipline and military deportment. In this he did succeed, 
 but it cost him his popularity with many of the volunteers. The temper 
 Jackson encountered at New-Orleans before victory, was expressed prior to 
 the battle of Buena Vista'; They had dreamed not of the hardships of drill 
 and subordination, of order and discipline, but of the romances of military 
 marches and encampments ; and consequently, as the Saltillo Picket 
 Guard in its plain style says : " No General ever had so many curses for 
 so few offences." But now, how changed is the language of the volunteers : 
 
 " I take back," says one of them in an Arkansas paper, " all I have said 
 against General Wool." "Little as his column liked him before the 
 battle," says another, "they all now admit that he is a splendid general." 
 ' General Wool," says a third, (Telegraph & Review, Alton, April 9, 
 1,847,) " behaved most gallantly, and has earned all the country can do 
 for him, besides the respect, esteem and admiration of his brigade, who, 
 before the battle, had a long account of what they considered petty an 
 noyances, treasured against him." HflnCTOft Libr&T^ 
 
 We would offer the following extracts from the reports of GenerM 
 Taylor and other officers, relative to General Wool at Buena Vista : 
 
 Extract from the first Report of General Taylor, dated February 24, 1847. 
 
 " I may be permitted here, however, to acknowledge my great obligations to 
 Brigadier General Wool, the second in command, to whom I feel particularly 
 indebted for his services on this occasion." 
 
 Again, in General Taylor's detailed report of the battle, dated March 
 6, 1847,, he says: 
 
 " To Brigadier G-eneral Wool my obligations are especially due. The high 
 state of discipline and instruction of several of the volunteer regiments was 
 attained under his command; and to his vigilance and arduous services before the 
 action, and his gallantry and activity on the field, a large share of our success is 
 justly to be attributed. During most of the engagement he was in immediate com 
 mand of the troops thrown back on our left flank. I beg leave to recommend 
 him to the favorable notice of the Government." 
 
 The following is an extract from the account given of the battle, by 
 Major Coffee, one of General Taylor's staff: 
 
 " General Wool led the main body in person, and was seen every where rally 
 ing and encouraging the volunteers." " The details of the battle were confided 
 to General Wool, who nobly justified the confidence of his commander and 
 brother veteran by the most active, zealous, efficient, and gallant conduct. 
 Throughout the whole action he was constantly engaged in the disposition of our 
 forces, and in rallying them to the onset. It is a miracle that he escaped the 
 thick flying balls which thinned the ranks he was marshalling. There was but 
 one complaint made against him, and that was, that he exposed himself too 
 iQuch." 
 
24 
 
 The following is a copy of a letter from General Lane to General 
 Wool, on leaving the country : 
 
 BUENA VISTA, MEXICO, May 20, 1847. 
 
 11 DEAR G-ENERAL, In a few days we are to take up the line of march home 
 wards, and from my understanding of the law I am soon to be discharged, and I 
 greatly hope that the cause that gave rise to my appointment may soon cease to 
 exist. A speedy and honorable peace with this country is much desired by every 
 American citizen. 
 
 "But, my dear general, I cannot think of parting with you without expressing 
 my high opinion of your great worth as a military man. During the whole time 
 that I have been under your command, I have found you prompt, faithful, and 
 vigilant in the discharge of your duty ; looking alone to the good of the service, 
 and the honor and glory of your country. 
 
 " A strict disciplinarian, you have discharged your duty with ability, and an 
 impartiality worthy a great man. Your exertions, as second in command, at the 
 great and glorious battle of Buena Vista, moving to and fro in every part of the 
 field, watching the movements of the enemy, exposed to danger almost every 
 moment of the day, ordering and disposing of our forces in the best manner, to 
 meet and repulse the enemy by your exertions, coolness, and courage in gain 
 ing this victory, you have won laurels and a fame that will endure as long as the 
 traces of American history shall exist. 
 
 " Hoping that you may live long to enjoy the thanks of a grateful people, 
 I remain, Sir, your most obedient and humble servant, 
 
 (Sd.) JOSEPH LANE, Brig. Gen." 
 
 The Illinois Volunteers wrote to General Wool, as follows : 
 
 "BRAZOS SANTIAGO, June 23, 1847. 
 
 BRIG. GEN. WOOL, The officers and soldiers of the 1st regiment Illinois volun 
 teers, on the eve of leaving Mexico for their homes, would do violence to their 
 own feelings, did they not tender to their immediate commanding general a testi 
 monial of their regard. Upon entering the service a year since, they were not 
 prepared to appreciate the importance of discipline and drill, and consequently 
 complained of them as onerous and unnecessary, complaints were loud and 
 many. 
 
 " Their judgment convinced, these feelings have undergone a change, and they 
 now thank you for your untiring exertions to make them useful to their country, 
 and a credit to the state. 
 
 " Whatever, sir, of service, we may have done our common country, or what 
 ever of honor we may have done the state of Illinois, to General J. E. Wool is 
 due the credit. You, Sir, brought your column into the field well provided for 
 and disciplined, and fought them well when you got them there ; and should our 
 country ever again need our services in the field, it would be our proudest wish 
 to again meet the enemy under the command of one, in whose energy, watchful 
 ness and courage, we, and the whole army, have the most unlimited confidence. 
 " With the best wishes for your future fame and happiness, on the part of the 
 regiment, we beg leave to subscribe ourselves your friends. 
 
 (Sd.) W. WEATHERFORD, 
 
 Col 1st Reg't Illinois VoTs. 
 W. B. WARREN, 
 
 Lieut. Colonel. 
 and forty company and staff officers." 
 
 In relation to General Wool's conduct in the battle of Buena Vista, 
 Lieutenant-Colonel J. S. lioane, of the Arkansas Volunteer Cavalry, says, 
 in his report 
 
 " On the morning of the 23d, the position of my command was designated by 
 our gallant general himself, to whose cool and heroic courage, military judgment 
 and commanding genius, I would add my humble testimony." 
 
25 
 
 Major A. F. Morrison, of the Illinois Volunteers, in a letter to his 
 Excellency, Governor Whitcomb, relating to the battle of Buena Vista, 
 says, that 
 
 " General Wool was next in command, and most diligently and valiantly at 
 tended to every department of the engagement. He is a brave and competent 
 officer, and merits the gratitude of his countrymen for his services on this great 
 occasion." 
 
 Captain Pike, a friend of General Taylor, in his sketch of the battle, 
 says, 
 
 " G-eneral Wool has gained great credit. He made all the dispositions for the 
 battle. He was cool, calm, and composed, and exhibited the most quiet and 
 unpretending bravery." 
 
 Carleton, in his work on the battle of Buena Vista, says, 
 
 " Wherever the fury of the battle was greatest, there was General Wool, riding 
 from point to point, encouraging and stimulating the men to still greater 
 exertions." 
 
 General Wool, in his report of the battle, says, 
 
 " I cannot close my report without expressing, officially and formally, as I have 
 heretofore done personally, to the Major General commanding, the feelings of 
 gratitude I have for the confidence and extreme consideration which have marked 
 all his acts towards me, which has given me additional motives for exertion, and 
 increased zeal in the execution of the responsible duties with which I have been 
 charged." 
 
 In a letter to the Hon. John A. Dix, General Wool speaks of General 
 Taylor, as follows : 
 
 " Of all the men I have ever seen in battle, he appeared the most calm. His 
 cool and determined bravery, sound mind and judgment, which never forsakes 
 him, even in the most critical moments, will ever command my admiration. His 
 brilliant achievements from Palo Alto to the termination, at Buena Vista, will be 
 appreciated by a magnanimous and generous people." 
 
 Letters of the same import, and some perhaps stronger, were written 
 to the Hon. Francis Baylies, Daniel Webster, John Bell, William C. 
 Rives, Lewis Cass, Joshua A. Spencer, General O. Clark, of New- York, 
 and many others ; and in no letter, public or private, touching General 
 Taylor's conduct, has General Wool ever said less. 
 
 Colonel Jefferson Davis acknowledges the receipt of a similar letter, to 
 General Gibson, in the following terms : 
 
 "SALTILLO, 25th March, 1847. 
 
 " MY DEAR GENERAL, I have just read with great pleasure the copy of your 
 letter to General Gibson, which you did me the honor to send me this morn 
 ing. 
 
 " It shall be preserved for the use permitted, and be assured, under circum 
 stances requiring, that it will give me great pleasure thus to apply it. 
 
 In these times of petty jealousy and ignoble strife for public approbation, it is 
 quite refreshing to see one so prominent in the scenes you describe, forgetting 
 himself to sustain and commend his commander. 
 
 " With assurances of my regard, 
 
 I am, cordially, yours, 
 
 (Sd.) JEFF. DAVIS." 
 
 In looking back at the results of Wool's march, the moral influence of 
 it was immense : as Taylor advanced on his line of operations, the people 
 
26 
 
 deserted their homes, flocked to the mountains, and became guerillas, with 
 which the country swarmed, becoming daily more formidable. The ad 
 vance of Wool, holding his men in admirable discipline, calmed the fears 
 of the people. They soon found that the Americans committed no outrage, 
 paid for what they had, protected them from the Indians, and introduced 
 strict justice into the courts. General Wool ascertained also, that the 
 guerillas remained under arms through fear. He promptly proclaimed 
 amnesty to those who were peaceable. The consequence was, an immediate 
 return of the people to their houses, and the guerilla chiefs found 
 themselves without supporters. This was " conquering a peace." 
 
 He pacificated the country on Taylor's flank, and gave an example which 
 stamps with infamy and incapacity the operations of Wellington in the 
 Peninsula ; whose ability manifested itself in brutal conduct and abusive 
 speech. Having relieved Taylor from fears of the rising of the people on 
 his flank and rear, Wool appeared in front with an efficient column, with 
 out the aid of which, Taylor must have retreated, when Scott drew from 
 him the regular troops. The volunteers, who had made the loudest com 
 plaints against Wool for what they thought harsh discipline, expressed to 
 him personally their deep regrets for their conduct, and offered to follow 
 him the world over. 
 
 It may be remarked, that notwithstanding the many attacks which have 
 been made upon Gen.Wool gratuitously by the friends of Gen. Taylor, that 
 Gen. Wool, with great magnanimity, has never replied, directly or indi 
 rectly, or in any degree detracted from the merits of the Commander-in- 
 Chief. 
 
 The unscrupulous zeal of many of Gen. Taylor's friends, have induced 
 them from time to time to attack Gen. Wool, seemingly from fear that 
 the merits of that officer should interfere with their claims on behalf of 
 Gen. Taylor. It has been matter of surprise in some quarters, that no reply 
 has ever been made to those slanders. But Gen. Wool seems uniformly 
 to have resisted the desire of his friends to see justice done him in that 
 respect. Content with having well served his country, he would not con 
 descend to defend his own claims from mercenary detractors. He was too 
 magnanimous to ever interfere with the civil triumphs of a brother officer. 
 
 Gen. Wool having been promoted to the rank of Brevet Major-General 
 for distinguished and gallant conduct at Buena Vista, continued in com 
 mand at Saltillo until November 25, 1847, when Gen. Taylor left for the 
 United States, and the whole command devolved upon Wool, and so con 
 tinued until June 5, 1848, when the Commissioners, Sevier and Clifford, 
 communicated to Gen. Wool official notice of the termination of the war. 
 The army was then put in motion. The general leaving Monterey June 20, 
 reviewed the troops at Matamoras, July 4. 
 
 Gen. Wool arrived at Brazos St. Jago, in Texas, in July ; and on the 
 20th, visited Point Isabel, where he was received with the usual military 
 honors. On the 26th of July, he embarked in a steamboat for New-Or 
 leans, where he arrived on the first of August, and was visited by the gov 
 ernor and suite, and other distinguished citizens. On the 2d, he left for 
 Cincinnati, where he arived on the 12th, and on the 17th reached Wash 
 ington. 
 
 General Wool arrived in the city of New- York on the 18th of August, 
 where he was received by the Citizens' Corps, commanded by Colonel 
 Pierce, and a committee of one hundred citizens from Troy. On the 
 
27 
 
 morning of the 19th, he was escorted by the New-York City Guards, the 
 Troy Citizens' Corps, and a committee of one hundred, to the steamboat 
 Hendrick Hudson, which the Trojans had chartered to conduct the general 
 to their city and his home. On his way up the river the general was 
 frequently cheered, as he passed, by the citizens on the shore ; and espe 
 cially at Ponghkeepsie, Albany, and West Troy. Oh his arrival at Troy, 
 he was greeted enthusiastically by the whole people, who had assembled 
 to receive him. So great and dense was the assemblage on the docks, 
 and in the streets, that several hours elapsed before he reached his resi 
 dence, where he was affectionately received by his family and friends. 
 
 The city of Troy presented him with a sword, in testimony of her share 
 of the nation's gratitude; and on this occasion "General Wool, standing 
 alone, erect and dignified, his whitened locks apparently holding dispute 
 with features upon which powers of endurance seemed written," made the 
 following reply : 
 
 Friends, Fellow- Citizens, and Soldiers: 
 
 On my return from the war in Mexico, I find myself in your midst, unexpectedly 
 in a new sphere of action. I find myself engaged in the delightful, but difficult 
 task of responding to those spontaneous outpourings of the heart ; those cordial and 
 enthusiastic receptions which have greeted me, since my arrival in my native state. 
 I had anticipated a welcome from my friends ; but such a welcome as I received 
 on landing in this city, and such as is now indicated in this vast assemblage, I 
 neither anticipated, nor can venture to claim for mere public services. Much of 
 it can only be ascribed to your partiality, to long-standing associations, to the com 
 panions of my youth, and the associates of maturer years, whom I recognize be 
 fore me, and whose steadiness of friendship and kindness has never failed to cheer 
 and animate me in the darkest hour. Such friendship has bee'n especially dear to 
 me during my more than two years' absence ; for, there have been times, when, 
 in the full consciousness of directing all the energies I possessed to the public 
 good and the honor of my country, I found myself in situations where the en 
 couraging voice of friendship was needed to cheer me under the heavy responsi 
 bilities which I was struggling to discharge. In the execution of those duties, 
 I was sure to incur the displeasure of the discontented, and of those who could 
 not appreciate the necessity of discipline. It would not have been difficult to 
 flatter the love of indulgence and of ease, and to present the column I had organ 
 ized and brought into the field of battle, in the garb, without the discipline of 
 soldiers. But those who were at first most loud in their complaints, for my re 
 fusing to listen to that syren voice of popularity which would have extricated me 
 at once from a labyrinth of unpleasant service, were the first in their acknow 
 ledgments, when convinced by the trial of a battle, of the mercy I had shown 
 them in the very rigor I exacted to prepare them for the contest. 
 
 To you, the chief magistrate of this beautiful and enterprising city, my home 
 and residence ; and to you, the representative of the voice of its citizens, I make 
 my grateful acknowledgments for the complimentary manner in which you have 
 been pleased to present this splendid sword, as the common gift of the city and of its 
 citizens individually. I receive it with a depth of gratitude which cannot be ex 
 pressed by words. It is the testimonial of my own neighbors, my countrymen 
 at home. It is the symbol of their appreciation of my character as a citizen and 
 a soldier. Could ambition seek a higher reward? Could pride enjoy a nobler 
 triumph ? I can truly say, that I am more than compensated by this magnificent 
 presentation and reception : this warm, glowing and heartfelt greeting, for all 
 the toil, hardships, and dangers to which I have been exposed since I entered 
 upon the duties that called me to Mexico. 
 
 The sword which I have received, I shall hold as the dearest gift of my life 
 If our country should again need my services in the field, and this arm should 
 
28 
 
 not become, by age, too feeble to raise itself in vindication of the natural rights? 
 your confidence, as implied in this gift, shall be sustained to the fullest extent of 
 my ability. 
 
 It is not necessary for me to follow the tenor of your addresses, by recapitu 
 lating the course of my action in the two wars to which you have alluded. 
 History has recorded the events of the first : the future historian will embody 
 the materials of the last. 
 
 In reference, however, to the battle of Buena Vista, to which you have so 
 flatteringly alluded, my services prior to, and during that engagement, are suffi 
 ciently noticed in the official language of the commanding general, which you 
 have quoted; and I agree with that distinguished officer, that " a soldier's shave" 
 is all that need be claimed in the glories of that memorable conflict. 
 
 Citizen Soldiers : It gives me pleasure to witness, this day, the beautiful order, 
 equipment and appointment which you have displayed. We are an armed re 
 public, but our arms are in our own hands. We stand ready to defend the public 
 liberty, because it is our own. The world is awakened to the fact that a citizen- 
 soldiery constitutes their own government, the strongest on earth. No large 
 standing armies are here necessary. A small regular force, and a sufficient num 
 ber of educated and experienced officers, may always be an expedient resource 
 to give example and instruction. 
 
 I thank you, with a soldier's heart, for your attendance on this occasion ; and, 
 on your return to your respective homes, bear with you, and to your families, my 
 best wishes for your prosperity and happiness. 
 
 And now, my friends, townsmen, and fellow-citizens, permit me to conclude 
 my part in this interesting drama, by renewing to you all the sincerest expres 
 sions of my deep and heartfelt gratitude. 
 
 On the 10th of April, 1848, the following resolutions were unanimously 
 voted by both branches of the Legislature of New- York : 
 
 Resolved, That the thanks of this Legislature are due, and are hereby tendered 
 to our distinguished fellow-citizen, Brig. Gen. John E. Wool, for his valor, skill, and 
 judicious conduct, conspicuously displayed in organizing and preparing for the 
 service of his country, with unprecedented rapidity, more than 12,000 volunteers, 
 in the summer of 1846 ; in disciplining the column under his command, during a 
 rapid march through the enemy's country; disarming the enemy by his humane 
 and vigilant observations of their rights ; in the courage and good conduct dis 
 played in the battle of Buena Vista, his uniform gallantry and activity on the 
 field, and the ability and success with which he has since discharged his arduous 
 and responsible duties. 
 
 Resolved, That the governor be, and he is hereby requested, to procure a 
 sword, with suitable emblems and devices, and present it to Brigadier-G-eneral 
 Wool, in the name of the people of this, his native state, as a testimony of their 
 high approbation of his services. 
 
 Resolved, That the governor be, and is hereby requested to cause the fore 
 going resolutions to be communicated to Brigadier-G-eneral Wool, in such terms 
 as he may deem best calculated to give effect to the purposes thereof. 
 
 The governor discharged the duty assigned him, by employing the 
 most skilful artists in the city of New-York to manufacture a sword. 
 Much taste and judgment were displayed in the selection of the emblems 
 and devices, which were appropriate, and referred in a striking manner to 
 the military exploits of the New- York general. 
 
 To recapitulate all the honors and congratulations bestowed upon Gen. 
 Wool, would, however, fill volumes, and would not come within our 
 scope. The military progress of the general may thus be resumed : 
 
 April 13, 1812 Captain, 13th regiment United States Infantry. 
 October 13, 1812 Major, 29th regiment, for gallant conduct at Queenstown. 
 September 1 1, IB 14 Lt, Colonel, for gallant conduct at Plattsburgh. 
 April, 1816 Colonel of Cavalry and Inspector General. 
 
29 
 
 April 26, 1826 Brevet Brigadier General. 
 
 June 25, 1841 Brigadier General in the line. 
 
 February 23, 1847 Brevet Major-General, for gallant and distinguished conduct at 
 Buena Vista 
 
 In assuming the duties of Major-General, according to his new rank, 
 Wool applied himself with unrelaxed energies to their discharge, without 
 in any degree neglecting those social duties and interests which society 
 claims at his hands. In September, 1850, on the completion of the mon 
 ument to Silas Wright, at Weybridge, Vt., Gen. Wool delivered the ad 
 dress, which was enthusiastically received. In the following October he 
 received an invitation from the Onondaga Agricultural Society, to attend 
 the Fair at Syracuse. He was here addressed by the Mayor of the city, 
 surrounded by many who remembered Wool as the wounded Captain, 
 soliciting, upon his first field, permission once again to storm the heights of 
 Queenstown, and retrieve the honor of his country's flag men who had fol 
 lowed him through the immortal resistance at Beekmantown, and through 
 all his arduous career, to the crowning fight at Buena Vista. The response 
 of the general was enthusiastically cheered. On the 15th February, 1849, 
 the corner stone of the Troy Hospital was laid, on which occasion Gen. 
 Wool made the address. On the anniversary of this day in 1850, the Hon. 
 D. L. Seymour made an oration, of which the conclusion was addressed 
 to General Wool, in the following strain : 
 
 " I tender the congratulations of this occasion to him whose bounty has sus 
 tained and whose hands laid the corner-stone of this edifice. Your fame, sir ? had 
 already become the common inheritance of your countrymen. That military re 
 putation which has for upwards of thirty years been steadily rising, requires, es 
 pecially since the victory of Buena Vista, no more laurels. It has become a part 
 of the imperishable records of our country's history, and will live whilst our na 
 tion and its name shall live. But even the splendor of a long and brilliant military 
 career, enhanced should it be by still brighter honors (as you richly deserve) at 
 the hands of your grateful country, will not outshine this one noble charity with 
 which your name is identified. And, amid the thunder of popular applause, the 
 "still small voice" of the obscure and suffering sons of sorrow, who shall here 
 find relief, will be heard in grateful remembrance of their benefactor." 
 
 In August, 1851, on the occasion of the visit of General Wool to Buf 
 falo, to review the 65th regiment, the common council determined to pay 
 a tribute of respect to the " Hero of Queenstown. Beekmantown, Platts- 
 burgh, and Buena Vista." After the review, the general, escorted to the 
 hotel, was addressed by the Mayor, and replied in an admirable speech, 
 which should be written in the hearts of all Americans. We append an 
 extract : 
 
 " But these great improvements and advancements in civilization, are not limit 
 ed to Western New- York. They are to be found everywhere throughout the 
 length and breadth of the land. To what may all these blessings be attributed? 
 To a kind Providence, our form of government and free institutions, which leave 
 the people free and unfettered by power. It is in this country, and this country 
 alone, that man is a free agent. Here there is no power to restrain him except 
 he be guilty of crime. All his faculties, mental and physical, are at his disposal. 
 He walks abroad in his own majesty, and there are none to make him afraid. He 
 neither feels nor fears power, or those appointed to administer the affairs of 
 government. He may travel from Maine to California and Oregon, and no one 
 would have a right ts ask him, "Why do you so ?" To all which may we not 
 attribute the advancement of the people of the United States in improvement and 
 civilization beyond all others ? And yet, with all these unparalleled privileges 
 
30 
 
 and a prosperity unknown to any other people, we find those among us who are 
 not satisfied. Strange as it may appear, we have a few discontented spirits 
 who would diss^ve this glorious Union established by the sacrifice of so much 
 blood and treasure, and with it our prosperity, and forever blast the hopes of the 
 oppressed and liberal of the world. They are, however, so few in number, that 
 I do not apprehend any serious results from any efforts on their part to accom^ 
 plish their objects. The signs of the times, nevertheless, are sufficient to admon 
 ish us that eternal vigilance is the price of liberty. As we are a nation composed 
 of states or sovereignties, with diversified interests, it ought not to surprise us if 
 they should occasionally clash. In such a case, what should be our duty ? Con 
 ciliation and harmony, and a strict adherence to the constitution, and faithfully 
 carrying out all its provisions, at the same time doing all in our power to prevent 
 discontent and heart-burnings, which, if encouraged, will do more than all else 
 to endanger the Union and destroy our hopes and prosperity." 
 
 In all his replies to the numerous invitations with which societies, phi 
 lanthropic, educational, religious and political, Besiege him, the same earnest 
 strain of devoted patriotism, ardent love of country, and enthusiastic zeal 
 in the cause of human liberties and progress, are manifest. The writings 
 of General Wool, if collected in a volume, would form a book of extraor 
 dinary interest and value in respect to the history of the country. They 
 contain not the mere dry detail of official reports, but are fraught with 
 profound views and reasonings in relation to subjects of national interest ; 
 and they disclose the workings of an intellect of a high order, operating 
 upon habits of most extraordinary industry. The general character of 
 this able officer approaches nearer to that of the immortal Jackson than 
 that of any public man lately before the people. There is the same quick 
 perception of the truth in all questions which present themselves, and the 
 same undeviating precision of purpose in reaching it. Although in the sphere 
 of duties in which he has been employed there has been little room for the 
 display of other qualities than those of a military character, yet the indi 
 cations are numerous in all his movements, of civil qualities which 
 surpassed even those military ones that have conferred upon Wool 
 the high distinction of being the only American officer who has made 
 no mistake. That the general ha's not hitherto been better known to the 
 people, is because the natural modesty of his character, satisfied with the 
 full discharge of his duty, obtrudes not its talents upon the public. He is 
 content that another should have the merit, if only that the country is well 
 served. That country will not, however, discharge its duty, if its rewards 
 fall not on the truly deserving. 
 
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