Adna Chaffee facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Adna Chaffee
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General Adna Chaffee
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| Born | April 14, 1842 Orwell, Ohio |
| Died | November 1, 1914 (aged 72) Los Angeles, California |
| Buried | |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Service/ |
United States Army |
| Years of service | 1861–1906 |
| Rank | Lieutenant General |
| Commands held | Chief of Staff of the United States Army Department of the East China Relief Expedition |
| Battles/wars | American Civil War
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| Relations | Adna R. Chaffee Jr. (son) |
| Other work | Public servant |
Adna Romanza Chaffee (born April 14, 1842 – died November 1, 1914) was an important general in the United States Army. He fought in many major conflicts, including the American Civil War, the Indian Wars, the Spanish–American War, and the Boxer Rebellion in China. From 1904 to 1906, he was the Chief of Staff of the United States Army, helping to make big changes to how the army was organized and trained.
Contents
Early Life and the Civil War
Chaffee was born in Orwell, Ohio. When the American Civil War began in July 1861, he joined the Union Army. He started as a private in the U.S. 6th Cavalry Regiment.
Fighting in Major Battles
In 1862, Chaffee became a sergeant. He took part in the Peninsular Campaign and the Battle of Antietam. Later that year, he became the first sergeant of his company. In May 1863, he was made a second lieutenant.
Wounded in Action
On July 3, 1863, his cavalry unit bravely attacked a larger Confederate force near Gettysburg. Chaffee was wounded and briefly captured by the Confederates. He continued to serve with the 6th Cavalry for the rest of the war. He was wounded a second time. In February 1865, he was promoted to first lieutenant. He was recognized for his brave actions in the Battle of Dinwiddie Court House.
Fighting in the Indian Wars
After the Civil War, Chaffee decided to stay in the army. He was sent to the western frontier. In October 1867, he became a captain.
Serving on the Frontier
For the next 30 years, Chaffee fought in the Indian Wars. He battled tribes in the Central Plains and the Southwestern areas. In 1868, he was recognized for his actions at Paint Creek, Texas.
Key Battles and Promotions
He fought in many battles, including at Red River, Texas, in 1874. He also fought at Big Dry Wash, Arizona, in 1882. For his bravery there, he was recognized as a lieutenant colonel. In July 1888, he was promoted to major. He then joined the 9th Cavalry.
Teaching Military Tactics
From 1894 to 1896, Chaffee taught tactics at the Army's Infantry and Cavalry School. This school was located at Fort Leavenworth. In June 1897, he became a colonel. He was transferred to the 3rd Cavalry. He led the Cavalry School at Fort Riley until 1898.
Spanish-American War Hero
When the Spanish–American War started in 1898, Chaffee was given command of a brigade. He was promoted to brigadier general in May. After the victory at El Caney in July, he became a major general.
Service in Cuba
From late 1898 to May 1900, he worked as the chief of staff for the military governor of Cuba, General Leonard Wood. In May 1899, he was promoted to colonel in the regular army.
Leading the Boxer Rebellion Expedition
In June 1900, the Boxer Rebellion began in China. Colonel Chaffee was sent to China in July. He commanded the U.S. Army's China Relief Expedition. This expedition was part of an international force. Their mission was to rescue Western citizens and stop the rebellion.
Relieving Peking
Chaffee took part in the Gaselee Expedition. He then participated in the Battle of Peking. In this battle, the foreign legations (embassies) were rescued. American forces were part of the Allied occupation of Peking (now Beijing) from 1900 to 1901. As the American commander, Chaffee started public health, relief, and police operations. He worked with Chinese officials to help the city.
Later Military Service
In February 1901, Chaffee was promoted to major general in the Regular Army. From July 1901 to October 1902, he served as the military governor of the Philippines. This period included the start of the second phase of the Philippine–American War.
Chief of Staff of the Army
In October 1902, he became the commander of the Department of the East. He held this position until October 1903. In January 1904, he was promoted to lieutenant general. From January 9, 1904, to January 14, 1906, he served as the Chief of Staff of the United States Army. He asked to retire on February 1, 1906.
Retirement and Public Service
General Chaffee received the Grand Cross of the Legion of Honor from the president of France. After retiring, he moved to Los Angeles. There, he became the president of the Board of Public Works for the city.
Family Life
Chaffee was married two times. In September 1867, he married Kate Haynie Reynolds. She was a young widow who passed away two and a half years later.
In 1875, he married Annie Frances Rockwell. Their son, Adna R. Chaffee Jr., also became a general. He is known as one of the founders of the U.S. Army's armored forces. A light tank, the M24 Chaffee, was named in his honor.
Tributes to General Chaffee
A historical marker stands in Orwell, Ohio, marking Chaffee's birthplace. The city of Chaffee, Missouri, founded in 1905, was named after him.
