William Rufus Shafter

William Rufus Shafter
Shafter in 1898
Nickname(s)"Pecos Bill"
BornOctober 16, 1835 (1835-10-16)
Galesburg, Michigan, U.S.
DiedNovember 12, 1906 (1906-11-13) (aged 71)
Bakersfield, California, U.S.
Place of burial
Allegiance United States (Union)
Service / branch United States Army (Union Army)
Years of service1861–1901
Rank Major General
Unit7th Michigan Infantry Regiment
19th Michigan Infantry Regiment
Commands17th U.S. Colored Infantry Regiment
24th U.S. Infantry Regiment
Fifth Army Corps
Department of California
Battles / wars
List
AwardsMedal of Honor

William Rufus Shafter (October 16, 1835 – November 12, 1906) was a Union Army officer during the American Civil War who received America's highest military decoration, the Medal of Honor, for his actions at the Battle of Fair Oaks. Shafter also played a prominent part as a major general in the Spanish–American War. Fort Shafter, Hawaii, is named for him, as well as the city of Shafter, California and the ghost town of Shafter, Texas. He was nicknamed "Pecos Bill",[1] inspiration for the fictional character of the same name in tall tales.