John Moulder Wilson
John Moulder Wilson (October 8, 1837 – February 1, 1919) was a Union Army engineer and later served as Chief of Engineers as well as serving as Superintendent of the United States Military Academy from 1889–1893. He was a recipient of the Medal of Honor for bravery in combat during the American Civil War.
John Moulder Wilson | |
|---|---|
 John Moulder Wilson | |
| Born | October 8, 1837 Washington, D.C. |
| Died | February 1, 1919 (aged 81) Washington, D.C. |
| Place of burial | |
| Allegiance | United States of America Union |
| Service/ | United States Army Union Army |
| Years of service | 1860–1901 |
| Rank |  |
| Commands held | Chief of Engineers |
| Battles/wars | American Civil War |
| Awards | Medal of Honor |
| Other work | Superintendent of the United States Military Academy |
Biography
Wilson was born in Washington, D.C.. He graduated from the United States Military Academy in 1860 and was commissioned into combined Batteries B & L, 2nd U.S. Artillery as part of the U.S. Horse Artillery Brigade. He transferred to the Corps of Topographical Engineers in July 1862 and was awarded the Medal of Honor for fighting at the Battle of Malvern Hill in Virginia, on August 6, 1862. He joined the United States Army Corps of Engineers in 1863 and received three brevet promotions for gallant service in Alabama.
After the Civil War, Wilson worked on Hudson River improvements and drafted plans for the canal around the Cascades of the Columbia River. He improved the Great Lakes harbors of Oswego, New York, Cleveland, Ohio, and Toledo, Ohio. Wilson headed the divisions of the Chief's office pertaining to military affairs for four years, was in charge of public buildings and grounds in Washington during both Grover Cleveland administrations, and was Superintendent of West Point from 1889-1893. Before his appointment as Chief of Engineers, he was Northeast Division Engineer. As Chief of Engineers, he directed the Corps' activities during the Spanish–American War.
Wilson retired from the Corps on April 30, 1901. He served as an arbitrator during the Coal Strike of 1902, and was president of the Columbia Hospital for Women from 1902 to 1907. He remained a prominent figure in the cultural life of Washington until his death there on February 1, 1919.
Medal of Honor citation
Rank and organization: First Lieutenant, U.S. Engineers. Place and date: At Malvern Hill, Va., August 6, 1862. Entered service at: Washington Territory. Birth: Washington D.C.. Date of issue: July 3, 1897.
Citation:
Remained on duty, while suffering from an acute illness and very weak, and participated in the action of that date. A few days previous he had been transferred to a staff corps, but preferred to remain until the close of the campaign, taking part in several actions.
References
This article contains public domain text from "Brigadier General John Moulder Wilson". Portraits and Profiles of Chief Engineers. Retrieved April 11, 2009.
- "Civil War (M-Z); Wilson, John Moulder entry". Medal of Honor recipients. United States Army Center of Military History. August 6, 2009. Archived from the original on February 23, 2009. Retrieved July 13, 2010.
External links
- Men of Mark in America Biographical Sketch
- "John Moulder Wilson". Claim to Fame: Medal of Honor recipients. Find a Grave. Retrieved March 4, 2010.
| Military offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by John G. Parke |
Superintendent of the U.S. Military Academy 1889–1893 |
Succeeded by Oswald Herbert Ernst |
| Preceded by William Price Craighill |
Chief of Engineers 1897–1901 |
Succeeded by Henry Martyn Robert |
