Fisherman & farmer. [volume] (Edenton, N.C.) 1887-19??, 1888-08-24
Sketch Of the Distinguished OFF,
GERS Life and Services.


General John NJ. Schofield succeeds, by
regular promotion, to the command of the
United States Army, made vacant by Gen
eraI 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 SchofielG
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 tc
West Point by Congressman Thomas j.
Turner. General Schofields father was a
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, 1865 two
months after his graduation, he was
appointed full Second Leutenant in the
First Artillery. He served at Fort Moultrie,
S. c., and in Florida until November 1855,
when he transferred to West Point as
Assistant Professor of Natural and Expert
mental Philosophy, remaining there until
August, 1860, 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
and month later he was elected Captain OF
Colonel Frank A. Blair'S reg iment, the First
Missouri Infantry, which was afterward con-
verted into artillery regiment. His
promptness and capacity as an officer were
demonstrated at that early date by mis- hastily
putting troops on board train, on hearing
of jeff Thompson having a large force at
FredericktOwn, Mo, and fastening to the
scene, organizing his raw recruits after reach
ing there and doing such effective service
that the eneT2y were routed.
He was promoted to be Brigadier-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, 1862, 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 Greek, where General Lyon was
killed.
He was appointed Major-General of Vol
unteers to date from November 20. 1862. This
title expired by constitutional limitation on
the 4th of March 1868, but he was immediat =,
ly appointed rigadier-General of Volunteers,
and on the 18th of May, of the same year.
was again commissioned Ma JOr-ToneraI or
Volunteers to rank from the Doth of NOvem-
Der, 1862, 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 SchOfleld rendered
conspicuous services in this department,
among them being his work as a trusted corps
commander under General Sherman previous
TO his start for the sea.
On the Both of November 1864 he was
made a Brigadier-General in the United
States army, and on the 1st of March, 1865,
became Brevet Ma orG 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-
Der, 1865, and on the 4th of March, 1869. he
vas commissioned Major-General of the
United States army.
In January, 1867, he was transferred to the
Department of North Carolina. the war in
he West being practically over. and accom-
olished the marvellous feat of transferring
lis corps from Tennessee to Washington in
.leven days.
General Schofeld remained in command
If the department of North COrolina until
Lhout 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 Mighty 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 APP
pointed Secretary of War bv President
Johnson. and confirmed by the Senate. Gen
eral Schofeld has been Democrat in politics
throughout his entire career
General SchOfield was placed in command
of the extreme western or Pacific slope divi-
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
2 1ucated man, and his extensive knowledge
embraces familiarity with mathematics in
all its branches, and he is well read i'll the,
law, especially COnst itutional law.