The Camden weekly journal. [volume] (Camden, South-Carolina) 1853-1861, 1855-10-23
From, TIE South Carolinian.
Mnjor General John e. Wool.

Major esener6l JOhR Il. WOOL
In the prosecution of our selEassumed task
| to give brief and impartial sketches of some
Of the eminent men Of our country we come
to speak of this able officer whose name is
honorabIy associated with the triumphs Of our
arms both in Canada and Mexico, and to whom
has been a.cribed much OF the credit Of Iaylor's
victory at Bnena Vista.
Wool was born in Orange county New York
about the year 1898. With but little Of al
education, he commenced life as clerk in q
storein Troy. After remaining in this caPa.
city for several years he engaged in business
on his own responsibility, but being SO unfor
tunate rs to lose his store, with its contents,
by fire, he abandoned forever his mercantile
pursuits. He then turned his attention to the
study Of the law; but, whilst thus engaged the
war Of 1912 having broken out, his martial spirit
developed itself, and he resolved to frsake the
engagements Of peace for the sterner duties OF
war. Accordingly. receiving Nh appointment
AS Captain in the 18th regiment Of infantry, he
was socn involved in the usual dangers and
hardships of s"lder's life; and having borne
himself with distinguished gallantry in several
affairs on our Northern frontiers he WAS promo.
ted ere the close Of the contest, to the rank OF
Lieutenant. Colonel.
Having thus commenced his military career
in our Second war Of Independence" Wool
remained in the service, and in 1921. was
made Inspector General ofthe army.-.ln view
of his peculiar qualifications, he was in 1882,
sent by the government to Europe for the
purpose of acquiring information respecting
military science and his profession generally.
Repairing first to France he WAS welcomed
by Louis PHILIPPE, who offered him every IA.
cility in the ful6lment Of the object Of his visit.
Finally, having returned home, he was ready
| to devote to his country generaIship which,
originally based upon experience, WAS now
improved by study and by travel.
Wool was. however. engaged in no very
important work until the war with Mexico
commenced, when his efficiency was full y de-
m"n.trated Having heen before promoted to
the rank of Brigadier General, when the nvs
sion of Mexico was resolved upon he WAS
placed in command ofthat portion Of Ameri.
can forces which formed that "army Of the
CENTRE" and which was designed for the sub
iugaiion oi the central States Of Mexico, He
accordingly placed himself at the head Of reary y
three thousand men, and proceeded on his
way but. before reaching the point proposed,
he received orders to abandon the expedition,
and to proceed to Parras, not far from Saltill"
where Taylor had Stationed himself after the
capture Of fMontersy.
Soon after he joined General Taylor and
was thereby enabled to share in the celebrated
hattie Of Buena Vista, where five thousand
Americans with Roman frmness, repulsed an
assailing force four times their own, aud led by
an experienced General. And in this engage
mrnt Wool performed II very important part.
1t is even said that he selected The strung
position hell by our troops, and drew up the
army f'r battle. At any rate his services on
that memorable OCCASION have never been ignored
and in recognition of them, he was raised to
the rank Of Major G.'neraI. and, on his return
to the United States, was received with grateful
and distinguished honors. Wool is now engag
ed in the duties of his Office on the Pacific
coast.
With respect to the character Of this General
his abilities are Of an eminenily sound and
practical cast. Though not possessing the
brilliant genius of Scott, Of the impetuous spirit
which animated Worth, yet Wool is = cool,
safe and reliable commander A strict dis.
cipnarian. no one is better fitted to train re-
cruits, and invest them with the efficiency Ct
veterans. Long may he be spared 10 give to
the republic the benefit Of his ardent patriot.
ism, his sound judgement, and his able general
ship.