The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1888-08-29
Sketch Of the Distinguished OFF,
GERS Life and Services.


regular promotion, to the command of the
United States Army, made vacant by Gen.
eral Sheridan's death. According to the
laws the titles of General and Lieutenant
General expire with Sheridan's death unless
revived by Congress, and even without an
order from the President General Schofeld
would, by virtue of being the senior Major
General be the Commander-in Chief in the
absence Of any order to the contrary.
John McAllister Schofeld, although born
in Chautauqua County, n. Y, November
80, 1881, moved to Freeport, Ill.,, when eleven
years old, and was appointed from there te
West Point by Congressman Thomas j.
Turner. General Schofields father was q
Baptist minister, of fine physical stature and
great strength. General Schofeld had as
classmates at West Point Generals Sheridan,
j. B. Mcpherson, Craighill and Sill, who
gained distinction in the Union Army, and
Generals Hood and Bowen, who were
equally conspicuous in the Confederate
Army. His first commission was in
the artillery, and August 81, 1858, two
months after his graduation, he was
appointed full Second Lieutenant in the
First Artillery. He served at Fort Moultrie,
8. c., and in Florida until November. 1855,
when he was transferred to West Point as
Assistant Professor Of Natural and Expert
mental Philosophy, remaining there until
August, 1850, having in the meantime been
promoted to First Lieutenant. He then OBJ
tanned leave Of absence and accepted the
Chair of Physics in the Washington Uni
versity at ST. Louis, where he became a
favorlte with all.
When the first gun Of the Civil war was
fired he resigned his position and became
mastering officer of the State of Missouri,
j, 1a%a l.a nfol fos, ~
Colonel Frank A. Blair's regiment, the First
Missouri Infantry, which was afterward con-
verted into an artillery regiment. His
promptness and capacity as an officer were
demonstrated at that early date by his hastily
putting troops on board a train, on hearing
Of jeff Thompson having large force at
Fredericktown, Mo-, and Fastening to the
scene, organizing his raw recruits aft,r reach
ing there and doing such effective service
that the enemy were routed.
He was promoted to be Brigadier-G General
of Missouri Militia in November 1861, having
in the mean time served as chief of staff to
General Lyon, and rapidly received other
promotions until September, 1882, when he
organized the Army Of the Frontier and
drove Hindman's army out Of Missouri and
south of the Arkansas River.
He was an aid On General Lyons staff in
Missouri, and was with him at the battle of
Wilson Creek, where General Lyon was
killed.
He was appointed Major General Of Vol
unteers to date from November go. 1852. This
title expired by constitutional limitation on
the 4th Of March 1868, but he was immediat'.
Iy appointed Brigadier- General Of Volunteers,
and on the 18th Of May, of the same year,
was again commissioned Major of
Volunteers, to rank from the Goth of Novem.
ber, 1852, and assigned to the command Of the
Department Of the Ohio. where at one time
the late General Sheridan commanded divi-
sion under him. General Schofield rendered
conspicuous services in this department.,
among them being his work as trusted corps
commander under General Sherman previous
10 his start for the sea.
On the 30th of November, 1854, he was
made a Brigadier-General in the United
States army, and on the 1st of March, 1865,
became Brevet Major-General for gallant
and meritorious service in the battle OF
Franklin, Tenn, but he was mustered out OF
he volunteer service on the 1st of Septem-
ser, 1865, and on the 4th Of March, 1869. he
vas commissioned Major.General Of the
United States army.
In January, 1S65,he was transferred to the
Department of North Carolina, the war in
The West being practically over, and accom-
olished the marvellous feat Of transferring
ais corps from Tennessee to Washington in
steven days
General Schoield remained in command
If the department of North Corolina until
lbout the time he was sent abroad to negotiate
with Napoleon in reference to having the
French leave Mexico. He performed these
services in a most satisfactory manner, and
was highly complimented by his superior
officers at Washington.
After his return from France he was de-
tailed to go to Virginia and take care of mat.
ters during the reconstruction period At
the close of the impeachment trial he was ap-
pointed Secretary of War by President
Johnson and confirmed by the Senate. Cen
sral Schofield has been Democrat in politics
throughout his entire career.
General Schofleld was placed In command
of the extreme western or Pacific slope divl-
sion of the army shortly after leaving the
Cabinet. and later was transferred to the Divi-
sion Of the West, the headquarters Of which
have been at Chicago. On the death Of Gen.
eral Hancock he succeeded to the command
of the Eastern Division. He is spoken Of as
man of great learning. Not only is he fine
military officer, but he is regarded as highly
slucatei man, and his extensive knowledge
embraces familiarity with mathematics in
all its branches, and he is we'll read in tho
law, especially constitutional law.