Rosecrans

Collier's New Encyclopedia (1921)

WILLIAM STARKE, an American military officer; born in Kingston, O., Sept. 6, 1819; was graduated at the United States Military Academy in 1842; entered the army as brevet 2d lieutenant of engineers, but after serving for a year at Hampton Roads returned to West Point as assistant Professor of Engineering. In 1847 he again entered active service, but resigned in 1854 to become a consulting engineer and architect in Cincinnati, O. He began his career in the Civil War by organizing and drilling the Home Guard in Ohio; and in June, 1861, was placed in charge of Cam amp Chase. He was made colonel of the 23d Ohio Volunteers soon afterward, and in a short time was appointed a Brigadier-General. He was second in command to General McClellan in the operations in West Virginia, engaging successfully in the actions at Rich Mountain, Va., and at Carnifax Ferry, Va., Sept. 10, 1861. In May, 1862, he commanded the right wing of the Army of the Mississippi during the siege of Corinth; and on June 11, 1862, succeeded General Halleck in the command of that army. On Oct. 26, 1862, he relieved General Buell of the command of the Army of the Cumberland, and on Oct. 30 began his memorable march to Nashville, Tenn. Owing to his defeat at Chickamauga in September of the following year he was superseded in command by General Thomas and assigned to the Department of Missouri. He was deprived of his command Dec. 9, 1864, whereupon he retired to Cincinnati, where he remained inactive till the close of the war. In 1868 he was appointed United States minister to Mexico; in 1880 and 1882 was elected to Congress; and in June, 1885, was appointed register register of the e United United States Treasury. An act passed in 1889 restored him to the rank of Brigadier-General in the army and placed him on the retired list. He died near Redondo, Cal., March 11, 1898.