The Buchanan County guardian. (Independence, Buchanan County, Iowa) 1858-1864, 1862-08-05
From the New York Herald
MAJOR GENERAL III. w. HALLECK
Who he is and what he is.

Henry Wager Halleck is one Of the
four major generals who were first ap-
pointed in 1861 to that rank, in the Uni
ted States army. Gen. Halleck is about
forty-two years of age, and was born in
Weston, Oneida county, New York.
where his grand falher-one hundred
years old, and hale and hearty lately
resided. Gen. Halleck's father was the
Hon. joseph Halleck, who died about
three years since. Gen. Halleck entered
the Military Academy as a West Point
cadet in 1885, stood third in tie class,
and was brevetted second lieutenant oi
engineers July l. 1889. He was Acting
Assistant Professor Of Engineering at the
Military Academy from July, 1899. to
June 1910. In 184l he was the author
of military work on "Bitumen and its
Uses." DC. In January, 1916, he was
appointed first lieutenant, and during the
year he was selected by the committee
Of the Lowell Institute, at Boston, to de.
liver one Of the regular course Of lectures,
the subject being /" Military Science and
Art" These lectures he compiled in a
neat volume during the following year,
adding thereto lengthy Introduction on
the " Justifableness Of War" The work
contains much valuable elementary in
struction, as well as abundance Of histor-
ical illustration, and is written with abil.
ity 4sa ls.
In i847 he was brevetted captain for
gallant conduct in affairs With the enc.
my on the 10Th and Goth days of Novem
ber. l847. and for meritorious service in
California. He was Secretary of State OF
the Territory Of California under the mil
itary governments Of Generals Kearney,
Mason and Riley. from 1847 to the end
Of lo49. He was chief Of the staff OF
Commodore Shubrick, in the naval and
military operations on the Pacific coast,
in 1847 and in l848, and was member
of the convention in I849 to form, and
OF the committee to draft, the constitu-
lion Of the State Of California. In July,
1853. be was appointed captain OF engin-
GERS. and resigned August !, 1854.
A very interesting aEecdote is told oil
the early life and studies Of the General.
As it is expressive Of the frmness Of char.
acter and manliness which have disiin.
gulshed him during his life, we give il
here. When about l6 years Of age he
formed the determination to leave his
home unknown to his parents, and seek
bis fortune in the world. After consult.
ing an uncle who resided in Syracuse,
he removed TO Hudson. N. Y, and took
board in the family of l. V. Bassett. and,
under the patronage of the aforesaid un.
Gle. commenced his studies at the Hud.
son Academy, which was at that time
conducted by j. w. Fairfield. To con-
ceal his residence from his father, he en-
tered the academy under the name oi
Henry Wager. and was thus known dur.
ing his three years residence in Hud
son. He WAS known as young man ol
perception and studious habits, aequit.
ting himself with honor in his studies.
After finishing his course at this acade
my. through the influence OF the uncle
before mentioned he was appointed ca
Diet at West Point. and 10 due course
graduated with honor, receiving his lieu.
tenants commission. He has served
the country ithfully and we'll. He ID
related on his mothers side to the fami-
" OF Wagers in Columbia County. she
being neicc Of the late Rev. Danil Wa
ger. Of Ghsnt.
Gen. Halleck was appointed Major.
General in The United States Army in
August last. at the instance of Lieutena 4 nj
General Scott, then about to retire from
active service. At the time Of bis sp.
pointmcnt, Gen. Halleck was the leading
member Of most prominent law firm, ia
san francisco, Placed, upon his arri