John Wool | |
|---|---|
 Daguerreotype of General John E. Wool by Southworth & Hawes | |
| Born | February 20,[1] 1784 Newburgh, New York |
| Died | November 10, 1869 (aged 85) Troy, New York |
| Place of burial | Oakwood Cemetery, Troy, New York |
| Allegiance | United States of America Union |
| Service | United States Army Union Army |
| Years of service | 1812–1863 |
| Rank |  Major General |
| Commands | Department of the East Department of the Pacific Department of Virginia VIII Corps |
| Battles / wars | |
John Ellis Wool (February 20,[1] 1784 – November 10, 1869) was a US officer in the United States Army during three consecutive American-involved wars: the War of 1812 (1812-1815), the Mexican–American War (1846-1848), and with allegiance to the Union, in the American Civil War (1861-1865). He also participated in the American Indian wars and the Trail of Tears, that resulted in Indian tribes being forcefully marched westward in the 1830s from the Southeast US beyond the Mississippi River into the newly established Indian Territory (The modern state of Oklahoma). By the 1840s, he was widely considered one of the most capable officers in the United States Army and an Excellent organizer.
He was one of the five highest general officers (along with Winfield Scott, David E. Twiggs, William S. Harney, and Joseph E. Johnston) of the United States Army on the eve of the American Civil War in 1861, and was the one who had the most seniority of service. When the Civil War began on April 12, 1861, General Wool, then aged 77 and ranked as a brigadier general for the past 20 peace-time years, commanded the Department of the East. He was the oldest general on either side of the ensuing Civil War.