The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-11-11
Q B TT U A r z.


AUer long and eventfu career on earth General
Wool quietly passed away yesterday morning, at
his residence In the city of Troy. He was IN the
elghty-second year OF his age
EARLY CAREER or THE DECEASED.
General Wool belonged to that class OF men whose
distinction above their Fellows was the work OF their
own abilities, unaded py birth or fortune or by the
influence OF men In high places. His ancestors took
part in the war for independence but were CON-
paratvelY obscure persons. We are unable to state
the exact month and year in which he was born.
The year Is variousy fixed at from 1887 TO $780, while
the despatch from Troy announcing his
death places his age "a high as eghty-siX. The
most reliable biographies of him that have seen
state that he was born in Newburg Orange county,
N T.. during the year 1885, His father died IN 1892
leaving him child OF four years, dependent upon
his relatives for u support He was accordingly
taken charge Of by his grandfather, James Wool o
resident or Rensselaer, county, himself in INDECENT
circumstances and lily able 10 meet the additional
expense entaiied upon him. To the credit OF the old
mar ae 1t said that he did his best for the boy At
this time our present system OF free schools had not
been established, and cheap educational institutions
were few and wretchedly managed thus making
the prospect for poor boy as wretched Is 1t pos
sibly could be.
When, at the age Of twelve, the boy was sent into
ments were few. He could read and write, but very
little more The first employment he obtained was
IN the capacity OF a clerk in store at Troy. Here
he passed rev years, applying himself diligently to
the business, making many friends and saving some
money. Before he had attained to manhood he was
able to open book and stationery establishment In
Troy. In the intervals OF time between attending on
customers he applied himself to The improvement OF
his mind by reading the books he had for SALE In
this praiseworthy manner he acquired fund Of
inform alton which was subsequently turned to good
account In either 1910 or 1911 fire destroyed his
shop, with its stock, and although he received
numerous offers OF aid to re-establish mis- business
he declined them all, having determined to adopt
the law as profession lie accordingly began his
legal studies, and had nearly completed them when
the prospect OF war with Great Britain changed the
course OF his career.
ENTRANCE INTO THE ARMY.
While very young man General Wool had made
the acquaintance GOVERNOR De Witt Clinton and be-
tween them had sprung upa warm friendship which
lasted through many years. When it became EVIL
dent that war was Inevitable the Governor suggested
his entering the army, which he agreed to do; where
upon Mr.. Clinton obtained him commission as
captain In the regular army Of the United States.
He was assigned 10 duty with the Thirteenth regl-
ment OF infantry, which had been organized with a
view to the opening or hostllities. Although his
commission bore date of March a. 1912, he was the
senior captain OF the regiment, which was COM
manded In Its first action by Colonel solomon Van
Rensselaer,, whose serious wounding during the
early hours OF the engagement at Queenstown
Heights coupled with the unavoidable absence OF
LicutenaDt Colonel Chrystle gave to Captain DOL
his first chance OF winning reputation on the bat
ned.
THE sToRMISG OF QUEENSTOWN HEIGHTS.
Before daybreak on the morning Of October Is.
crossed NIaparN
river and upon their landing being discovered the
British opened fire upon them. severe engage
ment, though OF short duration, ensued and resulted
In the enemy being driven back upon Queenstown,
but not before he had inflicted serious loss upon the
Americans seven oil the ten officers OF the lhir-
teentn regiment were Killed or wounded, among the
latter beng Captain Wool, through both or whose
thighs bullet passed. About the same time Colo
mel Van Rensselaer, SO seriously injured that he
was compelled to leave the field, and, Lieutenant
Colonel Chrystlc not having arrived, the command
devolved upon Wool by right Of seniority. Wounded
and bleeding as he was he refused to leave the
field. The situation had now become critical IN
volving as 1t did, either desperate assault dis
Van Rensselaer, chose the former alternative and
ordered an assault. Along most preclp.ous PATH
which the enemy had neglected TO cover, believing
OF the BRUSH. so sudden was the assault that but
little resistance was offered. and In few minutes
the flag OF the republic noated over queenstown
Heights In little while, however, the British
heavily reinforced, returned and 1t seemed IL the
handful OF Americans would be overwhelmed AT
the first charge they were thrown into confu.
river river A'I Then e was tina: Captain osilSe
hoisted a nag OF truce in token Of surrender.
CAPTAIN Wool rushed forward tore down the flag and
appealed to the men to continue the Contest. AMI
recovered confidence, rapidly reformed their line
and, lmpetuousy charging the enemy, succeeded IN
repulsng him with heavy loss For several hours
the engagement continued, but nothing could drive
the Americans from the heights they had won.
Until late In the afternoon the gallant young COM
mander renamed on the field and 1t was with reluc
"A lat IN nf
the river 10 have his wounds dressed.
PLATTSBURG AND AFTER CAREER
For his galantry on the occasion referred to
above Captain Wool was promoted to the rank OF
major, ana was transferred to the Twenty ninth
regiment during the year following. During the
ye days. engagement at PlatLsburg he again greatly
distinguished himself, as also at Beekmantown; for
which services he was brevetted lieutenant
colonel. few months later the war ended and
upon the reduction OF the army he was one OF the
few officers retained by the government. Until
september, 1916. tie was on duty with the sixth reg
ment OF infantry aud during that month was
appointed Inspector General OF the Northern
DIVISION with the brevet rank OF colonel. Eighteen
months later he was returned TO the infantry with
fun commission as lieutenant colonel, and in 1921
was made Inspector General OF the Army. on the
25th OF April 1925, he was commissioned briga-
dier general by brevet for ten years faithful services
In the United states Army. During these years or
peace his reputation as an able, energetic officer
continued unimpared. The manner in which he
performed all the duties to which he was assigned
gave general satisfaction to his superiors.
VISIT TO EUROPE.
government Tor tue purpose OF inquiriug into the
military system OF the various nations. His recep-
ton In France aud Belgium was most hattering. on
one occasion in Paris he attended review OF 10000
men, forming one OF the suite OF Louis Philippe by
special invitation. BY orders OF the KING he was
the recipient OF marked attention at the hand OF Mar
shall Soult. VINO was then Minister OF War. In Bel
GUM General Wool was tue guest OF the King, with
whom he reviewed an army OF 100000 men, AT "a
later date he accompanied the kiug TO Antwerp and
made thorough inspection OF the Notifications OF
that and adjacent places. The knowledge gained by
him was transmitted 10 the government III a series
or very interesting and reliable notes.
On his return 10 the unitei states tue General was
ordered TO inspect the coast defences of the repuo
lie from Maine 10 Louisiana. AT this time there was
q strong prospects or 0 war with France, which was
happily avertcd In 1875 he was assigned to the
task OF removing the Cherokee Indians from the
Territory OF ARKANSAS to- their present Territory,
which duty he performed In 4 thoroughly satsfac-
tory manner. Upon tue outbreak or the Canadian
IN 1855 he ordered TO the frontiers OF
Name. While here he made Il tour through the
northern wilds of the state with view OF establish
ing defensive works along the border His position
was a very delicate one. false step being sufficient
to plunge the country into another war with Great
Britain The sympahes Of the people were with the