Poole, Dewitt Clinton, 1828-1917

"D.C. (DeWitt Clinton) Poole (1828-1917), was an Amsterdam, New York native who moved to Madison, Wisconsin in 1854 after being deeded land by his cousin Napoleon B. Van Slyke. At the onset of the Civil War, Poole volunteered with the Governor's Guard, later designated Co. K of the 1st Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry Regiment. At the end of his three month enlistment, Governor Randall appointed Poole a Lieutenant Colonel in the newly-formed 12th Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry Regiment. Poole was relieved from active duty in fall of 1863, and worked as an instructor within the Veteran Reserve Corps for several months before joining the Army of Virginia in June 1864. Poole was detached shortly thereafter and made Provost Marshal of the District of Columbia, placed in charge of President Lincoln's security. Poole eventually returned to Madison in 1866, but only remained for one year before accepting an offer to return to the Army as a Captain, transferring to Atlanta in 1867. In 1869 he was appointed by General Sherman an "Agent for the Sioux Indians," and was stationed in Whetstone Creek Reservation in Dakota Territory. In December of 1870, he was relieved of Indian service duty and reassigned to the 22nd Infantry Regiment at Fort Randall, Dakota Territory. In 1880 he was assigned to recruiting service in New York then became a Paymaster in Washington Territory in 1882, where he received a promotion to Major. As required by the Army, he was retired on his 64th birthday in 1892. He returned to Madison in 1895, and traveled the world before his death."