GENERAL SHAFTER.

Auckland Star, Volume XXIX, Issue 136, 10 June 1898, Page 5

GENERAL SHAFTER.

Brigadier-General William R, ShaTter, who has command of the Santiago contingent of the American army about to take part in the invasion of Cuba, has seen almost 37 years of continuous service in the United Stotes army. He was bora in Michigan on October 13, IS3*>, and was appointed from civil lif e on August 22. 1801, as First Lieutenant of the Seventh Michigan Infantry. After being honourably mustered out of the volunteer service with the rank of Brevet Bri-gadier-General, on July 2S, 1866, he was appointed Lieutenant-Colonel of the Forty-first Infantry, United States army. General Shaftor took part in the siege of Yorktown and the action of West Point, and was engaged in the battles of Fair Ouks, Savage Station. Gleudale, and Malvern Hill. He was taken prisoner in March, 1863, and was exchanged two months later. He wears the medal of honour awarded by Congress for most, distinguished gallantry in the battle of Fair Oaks, May 31, IS6:.\ where, though wounded early in the action, he remained on the field until the close of the engagement. He, was promoted to be Colonel of the First Infantry in March. 1579. He was stationed at Angel Island and the Presidio, and on May I!, 1597, was made Brigadier-General.