Bust of
William Rufus Shafter located at an intersection in the city of Galesburg, Michigan where Shafter was born in 1835. Of note there is a second Smithsonian piece at the base of this one dedicated to the
U.S.S. Maine
William Rufus Shafter (October 16, 1835 – November 12, 1906) was a Union Army officer during the American Civil War who received America's highest military decoration, the Medal of Honor, for his actions at the Battle of Fair Oaks. Shafter also played a prominent part as a major general in the Spanish–American War. Fort Shafter, Hawaii, is named for him, as well as the city of Shafter, California and the ghost town of Shafter, Texas. He was nicknamed "Pecos Bill", inspiration for the fictional character of the same name in tall tales.
The SIRIS description is rather simple: A bust of William Rufus Shafter in his military uniform is installed atop a tall square base.
There are three tablets attached to the concrete base:
(Left Side Tablet)
William Rufus Shafter
A Michigan solider whose valorous conduct in the Rebellion, in the Indian Wars and in the Spanish-American War, added glory to the military annals of the United States.
Born in this community on October 16, 1835. He grew to manhood in the pioneer life of Michigan, enlisting as a lieutenant in the Seventh Michigan Infantry on August 22, 1861, he won promotion by gallant and meritorious service, and was mustered out a brigadier-general of volunteers at the close of the Civil War.
As an officer in the Regular Army he served with signal distinction and conducted campaigns against hostile Indians in the southwest with such success that the country was made safe for peaceful and permanent settlement.
As commander of the Expeditionary Army which besieged and captured Santiago de Cuba in 1898, he concluded his services for his country with an imperishable record as a great and daring leader and a generous conqueror. He died on November 12, 1906.
(Rear Tablet)
The State of Michigan erected this memorial May 30, 1919.
Bill for appropriation introduced by Hon. Charles A. Weissert.
Committee to erect it appointed by Governor Albert E. Sleeper.
W.W. Potter, Hastings, Chairman.
M.F. Jordan, Middleville.
M.A. Douglass, Galesburg.
(Right Side Tablet)
William Rufus Shafter
1st Lt. 7th Mich. Inf. Aug. 22, 1861 to
Aug. 22, 1862; Maj. 19th Mich. Inf. Sept. 5,
1862 Lt. Col. of same June 5,
1863 to Apr. 18, 1864, Col. 17th U.S.
Colored Inf. Apr. 19, 1864 until honorably
mustered out Nov. 2, 1866, Bvt. Brig. Gen.
Vols. Mar. 13, 1865 for gallant and
meritorious service during the war.
Appointed Lt. Col. 41st U.S. Inf.
July 28, 1866, accepted Jan. 26, 1867;
assigned to 24th Inf. Mar. 15, 1869;
promoted Col. 1st Inf. Mar. 4, 1879;
appointed Brig. Gen. May 3, 1897; retired Oct. 16, 1899; advanced to grade of Maj. Gen. on retired list Feb. 18, 1901.
He also served as Maj. Gen. Vols. May 4
1898 to June 30, 1901.
Bvt. Lt. Col. U.S.A.
Mar. 2, 1867 for gallant and meritorious
service in the Battle of Fair Oaks, Va. Awarded Medal of Honor June 12, 1895
for most distinguished gallantry in the
Battle of Fair Oaks, Va. May 31, 1862, while
serving as 1st Lt. 7th Mich. Inf. in command
of pioneers, voluntarily taking an
active part in that battle and remaining
on the field, although wounded,
until the close of the engagement.