Eleazer D. Wood
Encyclopedia
Eleazer Derby Wood was an American Army
officer in the War of 1812
.
Wood was born in Lunenburg, Massachusetts
. He was admitted to United States Military Academy
at West Point on May 17th, 1805 and graduated on October 30th, 1806.
After graduation he served as assistant Engineer in the construction of the defenses at Governor's Island in New York harbor, 1807. In 1808 he was promoted to First Lieutenant. He assisted in the construction of Castle Williams
in New York Harbor and Fort Norfolk
in Virginia.
During the War of 1812 Wood conducted the defence of Fort Meigs
during its siege, was engaged in the sortie of May 5th, 1813, and was in command of the artillery at the battle of the Thames on October 5th. He was appointed acting adjutant-general to General William Henry Harrison
in October of 1813 and was transferred to the northern army in 1814. Wood was engaged in all the battles of that northern campaign, including the capture of Fort Erie on July 3rd. Wood was also in the battles of Chippawa
and Niagara Falls
, and was brevetted lieutenant-colonel for bravery at the last-named action. After the battle of Niagara the American army fell back to Fort Erie
where Colonel Wood, then in command of the 21st Infantry Regiment, participated in the defense the fort on August 15th, 1814.
Colonel Wood was killed in a sortie from Fort Erie on September 17th, 1814 and became the first graduate of West Point to die in battle.
Wood was greatly admired by the Army's commanding general Jacob Brown
who commissioned a monument in his honor at West Point and also had Fort Wood on Bedloe's Island in New York Harbor
on which the Statue of Liberty
was built. Wood's Monument at West Point
is dedicated in his honor. He is also the namesake of Wood County, Ohio
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
officer in the War of 1812
War of 1812
The War of 1812 was a military conflict fought between the forces of the United States of America and those of the British Empire. The Americans declared war in 1812 for several reasons, including trade restrictions because of Britain's ongoing war with France, impressment of American merchant...
.
Wood was born in Lunenburg, Massachusetts
Lunenburg, Massachusetts
Lunenburg is a town in Worcester County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 10,086 at the 2010 census.For geographic and demographic information on the census-designated place Lunenburg, please see the article Lunenburg , Massachusetts....
. He was admitted to United States Military Academy
United States Military Academy
The United States Military Academy at West Point is a four-year coeducational federal service academy located at West Point, New York. The academy sits on scenic high ground overlooking the Hudson River, north of New York City...
at West Point on May 17th, 1805 and graduated on October 30th, 1806.
After graduation he served as assistant Engineer in the construction of the defenses at Governor's Island in New York harbor, 1807. In 1808 he was promoted to First Lieutenant. He assisted in the construction of Castle Williams
Castle Williams
Notes...
in New York Harbor and Fort Norfolk
Fort Norfolk
Fort Norfolk was minor fortification built at Turkey Point during the War of 1812 to defend the southwestern end of Upper Canada. It is a national historic site....
in Virginia.
During the War of 1812 Wood conducted the defence of Fort Meigs
Fort Meigs
Fort Meigs was a fortification along the Maumee River in Ohio during the War of 1812. It is named in honor of Ohio governor Return J. Meigs, Jr., for his support in providing General William Henry Harrison with militia and supplies for the line of forts along the Old Northwest...
during its siege, was engaged in the sortie of May 5th, 1813, and was in command of the artillery at the battle of the Thames on October 5th. He was appointed acting adjutant-general to General William Henry Harrison
William Henry Harrison
William Henry Harrison was the ninth President of the United States , an American military officer and politician, and the first president to die in office. He was 68 years, 23 days old when elected, the oldest president elected until Ronald Reagan in 1980, and last President to be born before the...
in October of 1813 and was transferred to the northern army in 1814. Wood was engaged in all the battles of that northern campaign, including the capture of Fort Erie on July 3rd. Wood was also in the battles of Chippawa
Battle of Chippawa
The Battle of Chippawa was a victory for the United States Army in the War of 1812, during an invasion of Upper Canada along the Niagara River on July 5, 1814.-Background:...
and Niagara Falls
Battle of Lundy's Lane
The Battle of Lundy's Lane was a battle of the Anglo-American War of 1812, which took place on 25 July 1814, in present-day Niagara Falls, Ontario...
, and was brevetted lieutenant-colonel for bravery at the last-named action. After the battle of Niagara the American army fell back to Fort Erie
Fort Erie
Fort Erie was the first British fort to be constructed as part of a network developed after the Seven Years' War was concluded by the Treaty of Paris at which time all of New France had been ceded to Great Britain...
where Colonel Wood, then in command of the 21st Infantry Regiment, participated in the defense the fort on August 15th, 1814.
Colonel Wood was killed in a sortie from Fort Erie on September 17th, 1814 and became the first graduate of West Point to die in battle.
Wood was greatly admired by the Army's commanding general Jacob Brown
Jacob Brown
Jacob Jennings Brown was an American army officer in the War of 1812. His successes on the northern border during that war made him a hero. In 1821 he was appointed commanding general of the U.S. Army and held that post until his death.-Early life:Born in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, Jacob Jennings...
who commissioned a monument in his honor at West Point and also had Fort Wood on Bedloe's Island in New York Harbor
New York Harbor
New York Harbor refers to the waterways of the estuary near the mouth of the Hudson River that empty into New York Bay. It is one of the largest natural harbors in the world. Although the U.S. Board of Geographic Names does not use the term, New York Harbor has important historical, governmental,...
on which the Statue of Liberty
Statue of Liberty
The Statue of Liberty is a colossal neoclassical sculpture on Liberty Island in New York Harbor, designed by Frédéric Bartholdi and dedicated on October 28, 1886...
was built. Wood's Monument at West Point
United States Military Academy
The United States Military Academy at West Point is a four-year coeducational federal service academy located at West Point, New York. The academy sits on scenic high ground overlooking the Hudson River, north of New York City...
is dedicated in his honor. He is also the namesake of Wood County, Ohio
Wood County, Ohio
Wood County is a county located in the state of Ohio, United States. As of the 2010 census, the population was 125,488. Its county seat is Bowling Green. The county was named for Captain Eleazer D. Wood, the engineer for General William Henry Harrison's army, who built Fort Meigs in the War of 1812...