MacARTHUR, Arthur,
soldier, was born in Springfield, Mass., June 1, 1845; son of Judge Arthur
MacArthur (q.v.). In 1849 he went with his father to Milwaukee, Wis., and there
attended school until Aug. 4, 1862, when he was appointed by Governor Salomon
1st lieutenant and adjutant of the 24th Wisconsin volunteers. His first battle
was Perryville, Ky., Oct. 8, 1862, in the 37th brigade, 11th division, 3d army
corps. At Stone's river, Tenn., Dec. 3031, 1862, his regiment was part of the
1st brigade, Sheridan's 3d division, McCook's right wing, Army of the
Cumberland. He was second in command during the engagement, the regiment being
commanded by Major Hibbard, and he was commended for bravery in the official
report of the commander of the brigade. At Chickamauga he was again second in
command, and at Chattanooga he gained a medal of honor for conspicuous bravery
in action Nov. 25, 1863, while serving as 1st lieutenant and adjutant of the
24th Wisconsin infantry. He was promoted major Jan. 25, 1864, and commanded the
regiment at Kenesaw Mountain, June 27, 1864. At the battle of Franklin, Tenn.,
Nov. 30, 1864, he commanded his regiment in Opdyke's brigade, Stanley's
division, and General Stanley gave the 24th Wisconsin credit for doing “a large
part” in saving the day. He was severely wounded and could not take part in the
battle of Nashville. He was promoted lieutenant-colonel May 18,1865, and was
mustered out June 10, 1865. He was brevetted lieutenant-colonel of volunteers
for Perryville, Stone's river, Missionary Ridge and Dandridge, Tenn., and colonel
of volunteers for services at the battle of Franklin, Tenn., and in the Atlanta
campaign, March 13, 1865. On Feb. 23,1866, he was commissioned 2d lieutenant in
the 17th infantry and the same day was promoted 1st lieutenant. He accepted the
commission April 30, 1866, was promoted captain of the 36th infantry July 28,
1866; major and assistant adjutant-general July 1, 1889; lieutenant-colonel May
26, 1896; brigadier-general Jan. 2, 1900, and major-general Feb. 5,1901. He
re-entered the volunteer army as brigadier-general May 27, 1898, and was
promoted major-general of volunteers Aug. 13, 1898. He succeeded Gen. Elwell S.
Otis in command of the Division of the Philippines, Feb. 5. 1901, and on June
15.1901, issued a proclamation of amnesty to the natives. He assumed command of
the Department of the Lakes, March 25, 1902.
SOURCE: Rossiter Johnson & John Howard Brown, Editors, The
Twentieth Century Biographical Dictionary of Notable Americans, Volume 8, p. 1739
