Biography of William Rufus Shafter


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Shafter, William Rufus. Major-general in United States Army, retired. Born in Galesburg, MI, October 16, 1835. Entered Union Army as first lieutenant. Brevetted brigadier-general, March 13, 1865, for gallant and meritorious services during the war. Mustered out of volunteer service, November 2, 1865. Entered regular army as lieutenant-colonel, January 26, 1867. Brevetted colonel, United States Army, March 2, 1867, and given Congressional Medal of Honor for gallant and meritorious services at Battle of Fair Oaks, VA. Major-general of volunteers, May 1898. Went to Tampa, FL, thence to Cuba, where he commanded the military operations ending in capitulation for general Linares' army and surrender of Santiago de Cuba, July 1898. Retired June 30, 1901, as major-general. Died 1906.