John Ellis Wool (February 20, 1784 – November 10, 1869) was an officer in the United States Army during three consecutive U.S. wars: the War of 1812, the Mexican–American War and the American Civil War. He also participated in the Rogue River Indian War and the Trail of Tears ethnic cleansing of Native Americans. By the time of the Mexican-American War, he was widely considered one of the most capable officers in the army and a superb organizer.
He was one of the four general officers of the United States Army in 1861, and was the one who had the most service. When the war began, Wool, age 77 and a brigadier general for 20 years, commanded the Department of the East. He was the oldest general on either side of the war.
Early life and education
John Ellis Wool was born in Newburgh, New York. When he was orphaned at a young age, he went to live with his grandfather, James Wool, in Troy, New York. He attended a local school and, at the age of twelve, began working at a store in Troy. He later read the law with an established firm in order to learn and be admitted to the bar.
War of 1812
At the outbreak of the War of 1812, Wool was a practicing attorney in Troy, New York.
Battle of Queenston Heights
When he volunteered at the age of 28, he was commissioned as a captain in the 13th United States Infantry Regiment on April 14, 1812. He fought at the Battle of Queenston Heights in 1812, where he was shot through his thighs.
During the battle, Wool led a commando-like strike team of 60 men through unguarded terrain hidden in the thicket of maple trees that successfully surprised and captured the enemy cannon, but the cannon was spiked by the British before being captured. On the heights above the British and Canadians, the Americans fanned out. The Americans hid among the trees and foliage, and continued firing their muskets at the British and Canadians as they crested the hill. British commander Isaac Brock charged in the open with his men against the sheltered Americans but was shot and killed by an American marksman hidden behind a tree. Another British commander John Macdonell also died leading a charge against sheltered concealed Americans. Even though the Americans held a superior position, their morale was low, they were intimidated by the Native American Allies of the British whom they greatly feared, and had weak leadership. Eventually the Americans lost the battle.
Battle of Plattsburgh
After recovering from his wound, Wool was promoted major of the 29th United States Infantry Regiment on April 13, 1813, which he led with distinction at the Battle of Plattsburgh in 1814. On September 6, 1814, the British arrived with a large army. The British encountered the Americans and both sides exchanged heavy fire. A British Colonel Wellington who was a nephew of Lord Wellington was killed. John E. Wool and his 250 regulars fell back in front of the British column, finding cover behind the fences and trees of the roadway. The Americans lied behind stone fences and secreted themselves in the wood -- until the British would arrive within gunshot -- then the Americans would open fire and retire a half mile at a time; in this manner the Americans fought them for 6 miles when the British main force arrived and the Americans were compelled to give up one half the town.
At Halsey’s corner, near the Platt farm on the Beekmantown road, American Regulars accompanying the artillery masked the 3 cannons in the middle of the roadway behind a stonewall. The American Regulars positioned themselves behind the stone wall with Aiken’s teenage volunteers. The American artillery behind the wall fired three times as those American regulars and teenage volunteers behind the stone wall also fired their rifles, mowing down the British in great numbers. Four British officers were killed and 100 British privates killed or wounded. American casualties did not exceed 25. The American regulars followed the American militia in retreat across the Saranac River. John E. Wool formed his men on the other side and demolished the bridge.
John E. Wool and his fellow American forces held out until the British suffered major setbacks such as losing the naval engagement against the U.S. Navy, getting lost in a maze of camouflaged roadways laid by the Americans, and constantly facing harassing fire from the American militia from behind trees, rocks, and bushes. The British admit defeat and withdrew from the battlefield making the Americans victors.
After the battle, he was a major of the 6th United States Infantry as of May 17, 1815. As this war was coming to an end, John Ellis Wool was promoted to the rank of Brevet Lieutenant Colonel on September 11, 1814.
