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Born in New York, the West Point graduate of 1839 was an engineer, and earned some honors in the Mexican War. He also worked at fortifications, taught at West Point, and studied the French military. Because of his "scholarly pursuits", he earned the (later derogatory) nickname "Old Brains".
Resigning from the Regular Army in 1854, he became a highly successful San Francisco lawyerA lawyer or attorney at law is a person licensed by the state to advise clients in legal matters and represent them in courts of law and other legal agencies. Most countries today require professional law advisors in their judicial systems. Lawyers have m, and remained involved in the militiaPolitical movements A militia is a group of citizens organized to provide paramilitary service. The word can have four slightly different meanings: an official reserve army composed of non-professional soldiers; the police in Russia or East European count, earning the trust of respected general Winfield ScottWinfield Scott ( June 13, 1786 May 29, 1866) was a United States general, diplomat, and Presidential candidate. Some historians rate him the ablest American general of his time. Scott was born on his family's farm near Petersburg, Virginia. He attended th.
At the beginning of the American Civil WarThe American Civil War was fought in the United States from 1861 until 1865 between the northern states, popularly referred to as "the U. the Union," " the North," or "the Yankees"; and the seceding southern states, commonly referred to as "the Confederat, he earned the rank of major general in the Union ArmyThe Union Army refers to the United States Army during the American Civil War. The Union Army is also known as the Northern Army and the Federal Army''. History of the Union Army Secession and the Beginning of the war The United States of America was in c. He commanded the Department of the Missouri , Department of the Mississippi , and at the pinnacle of his military career, he became the commander in chief for two years (between 1862Events January-March January 10 End of term for John Gately Downey, 7th Governor of California. He is succeeded by Amasa Leland Stanford. January 30 The first American ironclad warship, the USS Monitor is launched. February 1 Julia Ward Howe's " Battle Hy and 1864). He was then relegated to chief of staff, after Lieutenant General Ulysses S. Grant was promoted to commander in chief. He held various commands of the James River after General Grant forced General Robert E. Lee to surrender at Appomattox Courthouse.
Although he was a gifted tactician and organizer, he was not aggressive enough in field campaigns. He effectively communicated President Abraham Lincoln's orders, but in his only field campaign (that of Corinth, Mississippi), he advanced at a very slow pace (about 1 mile a day), then entrenched. His subordinates' victories (especially those of Grant's) earned him his promotions, and he was rather effective in his position as chief of staff.
He died in Louisville, Kentucky, while commanding the Department of the South .