The Biographical Dictionary of America/Averell, William Woods

AVERELL, William Woods, soldier, was born in Cameron, Steuben county, N. Y. , Nov. 5, 1832. He was a grandson of Capt. Ebenezer Averell of the revolutionary army. Was graduated from West Point in 1855, was promoted 1st lieutenant in the 3d cavalry mounted rifles. May 14, 1861, after active service on the Indian frontier, where in a night attack by the Navajo Indians in 1859 he was severely wounded. His first service in the civil war was at the first battle of Bull Run and in the defence of Washington. In August, 1861, he was promoted colonel of the 3d Pa. volunteer cavalry attached to the army of the Potomac. For his gallant service in several engagements he was brevetted major, March 17, 1863, and at this time made his name famous in a series of cavalry raids in West Virginia, and was brevetted lieutenant-colonel after the battle of Kelly's Ford; colonel, Dec. 15, 1863; brigadier-general, March 13, 1865; and for meritorious conduct in the battle of Moorefield, Va., he was brevetted major-general. He was made captain in the regular army July 17, 1862, and resigned from the service May 18, 1865. He served as consul-general to the British provinces during 1868-'69,and on his return to the United States became president of the Asphalt Pavement Company, New York. He made several discoveries and inventions, including a method of converting ore into cast-steel at a single operation, an improved asphalt pavement, a machine for placing underground electric conductors. He was inspector-general of soldiers' homes at the time of his death, which occurred in Bath, N.Y.. Feb. 3, 1900.