Halleck

Halleck, Henry Wager (1815-72), an American general, was born at Westernville, New York State, and entered the army in 1839. He served with distinction in the Mexican War, and rendered useful services in organising the new state of California. In 1854 he left the army for a time and became a lawyer, but when the Civil War broke out he was made a major-general and given the command in Missouri. In May, 1862, he captured Corinth, and the next July became commander-inchief of the Federal army. This post he held till March, 1864, when he became chief of the staff under Grant. His Elements of War and Military Science, written after a tour in Europe when he was quite a young man, were for many years a standard text-book of tactics.