WOOL, John Ellis

Affiliation:  Union

Born: February 29 1784, Newburgh NY

Died: November 10 1869, Troy NY

Pre-War Profession: War of 1812, 1841 Brig. Gen. USA, moved Cherokee Indians to eastern Oklahoma, Mexican war, commanded Department of the East and Department of the Pacific.

War Service: August 1861 sent reinforcements to Fort Monroe to save it for the Union, May 1862 promoted Maj. Gen. in Regular Army, commanded the Middle Department and Department of the East, retired August 1863.

Post War: President Lincoln sent an order retiring Wool from service after 51 years in the Army. At the age of 79, he was the oldest general officer to execute active command in either army during the war. Wool lived in Troy, New York for the remaining five years of his life.