The New Student's Reference Work/Schofield, John McAllister

GENERAL SCHOFIELD.

Scho′field, John McAllister, an American general, was born in New York state in 1831. A graduate of West Point, he was made a professor there in 1855. When the Civil War broke out, he entered the army as major of the 1st Missouri volunteers, and was on General Lyon's staff when the latter was killed at the battle of Wilson's Creek. He was in command in Missouri until February, 1864, and then of the army of the Ohio. He shared Sherman's southern campaign, and was in most of the battles which ended with the taking of Atlanta, when he returned to Tennessee, defeating Hood at Franklin, and was with General Thomas at the battle of Nashville. Entering North Carolina, he took Wilmington and again joined Sherman, for whom he drew up the supplementary articles of surrender of Johnston's army, which were afterwards approved by the government. In 1868 he became secretary of war and major-general in the regular army. Upon the death of General Sheridan in 1888, he succeeded to the command of the United States army. Previous to his retirement he was, by act of Congress, made lieutenant-general, Feb. 7, 1895. He wrote Forty-six Years in the Army. He died on March 4, 1906.