John E. Wool - Civil War

Civil War

In the early days of the Civil War, Wool's quick and decisive moves secured Fort Monroe, Virginia, for the Union. The fort guarded the entrance to Chesapeake Bay and the James River, overlooking Hampton Roads and the Gosport Navy Yard, which the Confederates had seized. It was to serve as the principal supply depot of Maj. Gen. George B. McClellan's Peninsula Campaign. In May 1862, Wool's troops occupied the navy yard, Norfolk, and the surrounding towns after the Confederates abandoned them. He was promoted to the full rank of major general in the regular army.

General Wool was reassigned to command the Middle Department, then the VIII Corps. In January 1863, he again assumed command of the Department of the East. Soon after the Battle of Gettysburg, he led troops diverted from that region in military operations to regain control in New York City during and after the draft riots in July of that year. US troops reached the city after rioters had already destroyed numerous buildings, including the Colored Orphan Asylum, which they burned to the ground. The riot had turned from a protest against the draft into attacks on blacks and their homes and businesses.

Shortly thereafter, on August 1, 1863, General Wool retired from the army following more than fifty years of service. He was the oldest general officer to execute active command in either army during the war.

He lived in Troy, New York for the remaining five years of his life, dying on November 10, 1869. He was buried there in Oakwood Cemetery. An obelisk was erected as a monument to Wool at the cemetery.