John Schofield: the story on HearLore

Blood At Wilsons Creek

The Civil War erupted while Schofield served as First Lieutenant at Fort Moultrie in South Carolina. He later noted those same guns would bombard Fort Sumter four years later. After contracting fevers during service in Florida, he recovered at Culpeper, Virginia. Returning to health, he taught natural philosophy at West Point until 1860. When war began, Schofield helped ensure Missouri remained loyal to the Union. He became a major in the 1st Missouri Infantry Regiment. He served as chief of staff to Major General Nathaniel Lyon. Lyon died during the Battle of Wilson's Creek in August 1861. Schofield acted with conspicuous gallantry during that engagement. A Federal brigade suffered defeat at Newtonia on the 30th of September 1862. Both James G. Blunt and Schofield rushed to reinforce the position. They sent Confederate forces fleeing south into Arkansas. The Army of the Frontier numbered 20,000 men though only 14,000 were fit for duty. Schofield led this force across northwest Arkansas on October 17. Confederate troops under Thomas C. Hindman retreated south on October 29. Schofield withdrew his divisions northeast to Springfield, Missouri on November 4. He was eventually relieved of duty due to altercations with Samuel Ryan Curtis.

When was John Schofield born and where did he grow up?

John McAllister Schofield arrived in the world on the 29th of September 1831. He grew up in Freeport, Illinois after his family moved from Gerry, New York.

How did John Schofield get into West Point and what happened during his time there?

A U.S. Representative named Thomas J. Turner secured an appointment for him at West Point. An accusation of allowing offensive jokes led to his dismissal but a review board voted to rescind the expulsion despite one dissenting vote from Lt. George H. Thomas.

What role did John Schofield play during the Civil War battles in Missouri?

Schofield helped ensure Missouri remained loyal to the Union as a major in the 1st Missouri Infantry Regiment. He served as chief of staff to Major General Nathaniel Lyon and acted with conspicuous gallantry during the Battle of Wilson's Creek in August 1861.

Why was John Schofield removed from his post as superintendent of West Point?

An administration claimed African American cadet Johnson Chesnut Whittaker fabricated a story about being beaten to win sympathy. A Congressional investigation resulted in Schofield's removal from his post in 1881 following this incident on the 5th of April 1880.

When did John Schofield receive the Medal of Honor and for which battle?

General Schofield received the Medal of Honor on the 2nd of July 1892 for actions at Wilson's Creek. The medal was recommended by Schofield himself while he served as interim Secretary of War.

Where is John Schofield buried and what legacy does he leave behind today?

John Schofield is buried at Arlington National Cemetery in Section 2 Grave 1108. Schofield Barracks in Hawaii bear his name today and he died at St. Augustine, Florida on the 4th of March 1906.

John Schofield.

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