The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1906-11-12
DEATH OF SHAFIER
MATTER OF HOURS
Physicians Abandon All Hope Of
Saving Generals Fast
Departing Life.

Bakersfield. Cal, Nov. PA bulle.
tin issued from the Mex rick ranch
STATES that Major Genaral Shafter is
near death and that all hope of. his re-
covery has been abandoned.
The doctors were in attendance all
night and now DR.. Schaefer is hurrying
to the ranch. The relatives are all at
the bedside. ,2s
William Rufus Shafter was born at
Galesburg, Kalamazoo county, Mich,
Oct. Is, 1885. He was of Scotch irish
descent and the son of farmer. He
received his education in the common
schools of his. native village and Prairie
academy at Richfeld, Mich. He helped
his father work the5 home farm and
taught school for while during the
winters $EE. =. ,s.s!ts ss1H. 80 ~
When the war broke out, young
gan infantry. and became a first lieu
Aug 20, 1852 when he ne was nei made aa'ia
major in the Nineteenth Michigan in
fantry. In June, 1868, he was made
lieutenant colonel of the regiment, and
on April 10, 1864, he was promoted to
the colonelcy of the Seventeenth regi-
uent Of United States colored troops
He served in this capacity until Nov.
Il, 1866. '.-- .Gaz.,.
+. s4s.. A Daring Soldier.
His various promotions in the volun-
teer service were the result of the in
trepidity and good Judgment displayed
by him at Balls Bluff, Yorktown, West
Point, Fair Oaks, the Seven Days. bat
tie of May, 1862, Malvern Hill, Thomp-
sons Station and Spring Hill, Tenn,
Nashville, and the pursuit of Hood s
army after the battle of Nashville. but
the event that first brought him into
the limelight was his action at Fair
Oaks while still a first lieutenant. He
was in command Of body of pioneers
who cleared the way for their comrades
who carried their rifles and forty
rounds. Lieutenant Shafter found arms
for his company or roadmakers and led
them into the hottest Of the fight, was
badly wounded but remained on the
field, tho he lost nineteen Of his TWEEN
ty-three1 men.
After the war quite a number Of
officers of the volunteer army who had
especially distinguished themselves were
transferred to the regular army. Among
these was Colonel Shafter, who was
made lieutenant colonel of the Forty
first. infantry and served on the Mexi-
can border until 1879. Here he fought
the Apaches and won promotion. first
to the colonelcy Of First infantry and
then to the: star Of a. brigadier general,
receiving that distinction May 3, 1879.
On Oct. 16., 1899, he was retired from
active service as brigadier general in
the regular army, but retained as major
general of volunteers until June 80,
1901, when he was finally retired.
His service in the northwest con-
sisted in the suppression of the out
break of the Indians at Pine Ridge
agency, South Dakota. in 1890 and
1891. He then commanded the First
United States infantry.
~. Upon the breaking out of the war
with Spain General Shafter was placed
In command of the army that was sent
to Cuba, leaving the United States for
his field Of action June IA, 1898, land
ing at Santiago June q, % and %,
and receiving the surrender Of the east
erh part of Cubaaon July Il, just one
month from the date Of his departure
from the United States. s
Since the war with Spain General
Shafter devoted his attention to his
private affairs He owned a large
ranch near Bakersfield, Cal, and was
director Of the Presidio Mil & Mining
Turquoise Copper Mining company of
He was president Of the Society, Of
the Army Of Santiago department. COM
mander of California and Nevada.
Grand Army Of the Republic, honorary
life member of the Pacific Union club
of San Francisco, honorary member Of
the Union League club Of San Fran.
cisco, member Of the Loyal Legion