# Adna Chaffee

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2nd Chief of Staff of the United States Army

For his son, who was also a general, see [Adna R. Chaffee Jr.](/source/Adna_R._Chaffee_Jr.)

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Adna Chaffee General Adna Chaffee 4th Military Governor of the Philippines In office July 4, 1901 – July 4, 1902 Preceded by Arthur MacArthur Jr. Succeeded by William Howard Taft (as Civilian Governor-General of the Philippines) Personal details Born (1842-04-14)April 14, 1842 Orwell, Ohio, U.S. Died November 1, 1914(1914-11-01) (aged 72) Los Angeles, California, U.S. Resting place Arlington National Cemetery Relations Adna R. Chaffee Jr. (son) Military service Allegiance United States Branch/service United States Army Years of service 1861–1906 Rank Lieutenant General Commands Chief of Staff of the United States Army Department of the East China Relief Expedition Battles/wars American Civil War Peninsular Campaign Maryland Campaign Appomattox Campaign Indian Wars Battle of Paint Creek Battle of Red River Battle of Big Dry Wash Spanish–American War Cuban Campaign Boxer Rebellion Battle of Peking Philippine–American War Samar campaign Post-war insurgency

**Adna Romanza Chaffee** (April 14, 1842 – November 1, 1914) was a [lieutenant general](/source/Lieutenant_general_(United_States)) in the [United States Army](/source/United_States_Army). Chaffee took part in the [American Civil War](/source/American_Civil_War) and [Indian Wars](/source/Indian_Wars), played a key role in the [Spanish–American War](/source/Spanish%E2%80%93American_War), and fought in the [Boxer Rebellion](/source/Boxer_Rebellion) in China. He was the [Chief of Staff of the United States Army](/source/Chief_of_Staff_of_the_United_States_Army) from 1904 to 1906, overseeing far-reaching transformation of organization and doctrine in the army.[1]

## Early life and Civil War

Chaffee was born in [Orwell, Ohio](/source/Orwell%2C_Ohio). When the [American Civil War](/source/American_Civil_War) broke out in July 1861, Chaffee joined the [U.S. 6th Cavalry Regiment](/source/U.S._6th_Cavalry_Regiment). In 1862, Chaffee was promoted to [sergeant](/source/Sergeant#United_States) and took part in the [Peninsular Campaign](/source/Peninsular_Campaign) and the [Battle of Antietam](/source/Battle_of_Antietam). In September of that year he was made the [first sergeant](/source/First_sergeant) of Company K. He was commissioned as a [second lieutenant](/source/Second_lieutenant#United_States) in May 1863. His 6th Cavalry, on detached service from General John Buford's 1st Union Cavalry Division, though outnumbered, attacked a Confederate Cavalry regiment at Fairfield, Pennsylvania, just outside Gettysburg on July 3, 1863 (source, Wittenberg, Eric: Gettysburg: Forgotten Cavalry Actions). In the ensuing action, he was wounded and briefly held a prisoner by the Confederates. He served with the 6th Cavalry for the remainder of the war, being twice wounded. In February 1865, he was promoted to [first lieutenant](/source/First_lieutenant#United_States). For his "gallant and meritorious" actions in the [Battle of Dinwiddie Court House](/source/Battle_of_Dinwiddie_Court_House) he was [brevetted](/source/Brevet_(military)) [captain](/source/Captain_(United_States_O-3)).[2]

After the war, Chaffee became a member of the [Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States](/source/Military_Order_of_the_Loyal_Legion_of_the_United_States).

## Indian Wars

Chaffee decided to remain with the army after the war. He was posted to the western frontier, and was promoted to captain of [Regulars](/source/Regular_Army_(United_States)) in October 1867. For the next thirty years he served in the [Indian Wars](/source/Indian_Wars), fighting the [Central Plains](/source/Great_Plains) and [Southwestern](/source/Southwest_United_States) tribes. In 1868, he was brevetted [major](/source/Major_(United_States)) for his actions at [Paint Creek](/source/Paint_Creek%2C_Texas), [Texas](/source/Texas). In the following years, he engaged the Native Americans many times, most notably at [Red River](/source/Red_River_of_the_South), [Texas](/source/Texas), in 1874, and [Big Dry Wash](/source/Battle_of_Big_Dry_Wash), [Arizona Territory](/source/Arizona_Territory), in 1882, for which he was brevetted [lieutenant colonel](/source/Lieutenant_colonel_(United_States)).[2]

In July 1888, he was promoted to major and transferred to the [9th Cavalry](/source/9th_Cavalry_Regiment_(United_States)). From 1894 to 1896, he was an instructor of tactics at the Army's Infantry and Cavalry School at [Fort Leavenworth](/source/Fort_Leavenworth). In June 1897 he was promoted to [colonel](/source/Colonel_(United_States)) and transferred to the [3rd Cavalry](/source/U.S._3rd_Armored_Cavalry_Regiment), where he served as commandant of the Cavalry School at [Fort Riley](/source/Fort_Riley) until 1898.

## Spanish–American War

With the outbreak of the [Spanish–American War](/source/Spanish%E2%80%93American_War) in 1898, Chaffee was assigned a brigade and was promoted to [brigadier general](/source/Brigadier_general_(United_States)) of [volunteers](/source/United_States_Volunteers) in May of that year, and in July after the victory at [El Caney](/source/El_Caney), to [major general](/source/Major_general_(United_States)) of volunteers. From late 1898 to May 1900, he served as the chief of staff to the military governor of Cuba, General [Leonard Wood](/source/Leonard_Wood), being promoted to colonel of regulars in May 1899. He was a member of Society of the Army of Santiago, a military society for officers who had served in Cuba.

## Boxer Rebellion

In June 1900, the [Boxer Rebellion](/source/Boxer_Rebellion) broke out in China. Colonel Chaffee was sent to China in July as the commander of the U.S. Army's [China Relief Expedition](/source/China_Relief_Expedition). The Expedition was a part of the international force sent to rescue Western and Japanese citizens and put down the rebellion. Chaffee arrived at Taku Bay, China aboard [USAT *Grant*](/source/USED_Chinook) to take command on 29 July 1900.[3] Chaffee participated in the [Gaselee Expedition](/source/Gaselee_Expedition) and subsequently the [Battle of Peking](/source/Battle_of_Peking_(1900)), in which the legations were relieved. In 1900–1901 American forces were included in the Allied occupation of Peking (Beijing). As American commander Chaffee began public health, relief, and police operations in cooperation with Chinese officials.

According to Chaffee, "[I]t is safe to say that where one real Boxer has been killed, fifty harmless coolies or laborers, including not a few women and children, have been slain."[4]: 213

Chaffee concluded that Chinese respected only the superior power. Reassigned to the Philippines he applied the lessons there, combining benevolence and public health measures with force and cooperation with local officials.[5]

Chaffee was one of the founders of the [Military Order of the Dragon](/source/Military_Order_of_the_Dragon), a military society for officers who had served in China during the Boxer Rebellion. He served as the society's president from its founding in 1900 until his death.

## Philippines and retirement

In February 1901, Chaffee was promoted to major general in the Regular Army. From July of that year until October 1902, he served as commander of American forces in the [Philippines](/source/Philippines), following the dissolution of the American [military government](/source/United_States_Military_Government_of_the_Philippine_Islands) under General [Arthur MacArthur Jr.](/source/Arthur_MacArthur_Jr.) and the institution of [civilian rule](/source/Insular_Government_of_the_Philippine_Islands) under [governor-general](/source/Governor-General_of_the_Philippines) [William Howard Taft](/source/William_Howard_Taft). Chaffee commanded U.S. troops during the final months of the primary phase of the [Philippine–American War](/source/Philippine%E2%80%93American_War). In December 1901, he assigned General [Jacob H. Smith](/source/Jacob_H._Smith) to deal with anti-American resistance in the province of [Samar](/source/Samar), resulting in an ill-fated [campaign](/source/March_across_Samar) that led to the deaths of up to 2,000 Filipino civilians. Chaffee became a member of the [Military Order of the Carabao](/source/Military_Order_of_the_Carabao) for Philippine veterans, and also served as Paramount Carabao for a time.[6]

In October 1902, Chaffee became commander of the [Department of the East](/source/Department_of_the_East), a position he held until October 1903. In January 1904, he was promoted to lieutenant general and, from January 9, 1904, until January 14, 1906, served as the [Chief of Staff of the United States Army](/source/Chief_of_Staff_of_the_United_States_Army). At his own request, Chaffee was retired on February 1, 1906.

General Chaffee was invested with the Grand Cross of the [Legion of Honor](/source/Legion_of_Honor) by the president of France. In 1905 he became an honorary member of the New York [Society of the Cincinnati](/source/Society_of_the_Cincinnati).

In his retirement, he moved to [Los Angeles](/source/Los_Angeles), where he was appointed president of the Board of Public Works for the city of [Los Angeles](/source/Los_Angeles).

## Family

Adna Chaffee Jr.

Chaffee was married twice; in September 1867 he married Kate Haynie Reynolds, a young widow who died two and a half years later.

In 1875, he married Annie Frances Rockwell. Their son [Adna R. Chaffee Jr.](/source/Adna_R._Chaffee_Jr.) also became a general and was one of the fathers of the [U.S. Army](/source/United_States_Army)'s [armored forces](/source/Armor_Branch_(United_States)), having a light tank, the [M24 Chaffee](/source/M24_Chaffee), named in his honor.

After his death, Chaffee was buried with full military honors at [Arlington National Cemetery](/source/Arlington_National_Cemetery) on November 9, 1914, after a funeral service at [St. John's Episcopal Church](/source/St._John's_Episcopal_Church%2C_Lafayette_Square).[7] After her death six and a half years later, his second wife Annie was interred beside him.[8]

## Awards

- [Civil War Campaign Medal](/source/Civil_War_Campaign_Medal)

- [Indian Campaign Medal](/source/Indian_Campaign_Medal)

- [Spanish Campaign Medal](/source/Spanish_Campaign_Medal)

- [China Campaign Medal](/source/China_Campaign_Medal)

- [Philippine Campaign Medal](/source/Philippine_Campaign_Medal)

## Dates of rank

Insignia Rank Component Date No insignia Private Union Army 22 July 1861 Sergeant Union Army 1862 First Sergeant Union Army September 1862 Second Lieutenant Union Army 13 March 1863 First Lieutenant Union Army 22 February 1865 Captain Regular Army 12 October 1867 Major Regular Army 7 July 1888 Lieutenant Colonel Regular Army 1 June 1897 Brigadier General Volunteers 4 May 1898 Major General Volunteers 8 July 1898 Colonel Regular Army 8 May 1899 Major General Regular Army 4 February 1901 Lieutenant General Regular Army 9 January 1904

## Tributes

A historical marker documenting Chaffee's birthplace stands in [Orwell, Ohio](/source/Orwell%2C_Ohio).[9]

The city of [Chaffee, Missouri](/source/Chaffee%2C_Missouri), was named in his honor when founded in 1905.

Chaffee Gate, one of the entrances to the sprawling Texas military base [Fort Bliss](/source/Fort_Bliss) is named in his honor.

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** Diana Preston, "An Ohioan in China: Adna Chaffee and the Boxer Rebellion." *Timeline*. Jan/Feb2002, 19#1, pp 32–47.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Bell1983_2-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Bell1983_2-1) Bell, William Gardner (1983). "Adna Romanza Chaffee". [*.Commanding generals and chiefs of staff, 1775–2005*](https://web.archive.org/web/20071212201718/http://www.history.army.mil/books/cg%26csa/Chaffee-AR.htm). Washington, D.C.: U.S. Government Printing Office. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0160723760](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0160723760). Archived from [the original](https://history.army.mil/books/cg&csa/Chaffee-AR.htm) on December 12, 2007.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** ["General Chaffee's Report on the China Relief Expedition - Wikisource, the free online library"](https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/General_Chaffee's_Report_on_the_China_Relief_Expedition). *en.wikisource.org*. Retrieved October 15, 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-:02_4-0)** Driscoll, Mark W. (2020). *The Whites Are Enemies of Heaven: Climate Caucasianism and Asian Ecological Protection*. [Duke University Press](/source/Duke_University_Press). [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.2307/j.ctv1931h82](https://doi.org/10.2307%2Fj.ctv1931h82). [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-1-4780-1016-6](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-1-4780-1016-6). [JSTOR](/source/JSTOR_(identifier)) [j.ctv1931h82](https://www.jstor.org/stable/j.ctv1931h82). [S2CID](/source/S2CID_(identifier)) [229542406](https://api.semanticscholar.org/CorpusID:229542406).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** Michael H. Hunt, "The forgotten occupation: Peking, 1900–1901." *Pacific Historical Review* 48.4 (1979): 501–529 [online](https://www.jstor.org/stable/3638698).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** ["Died: Chaffee"](https://www.proquest.com/docview/145289049). *The Washington Post*. November 8, 1914. p. 3. [ProQuest](/source/ProQuest) [145289049](https://www.proquest.com/docview/145289049). Retrieved June 9, 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** ["Taps Sound for Gen. Chaffee: Large Military Funeral for Former Lieutenant General of Army"](https://www.proquest.com/docview/145286700). *The Washington Post*. November 10, 1914. p. 7. [ProQuest](/source/ProQuest) [145286700](https://www.proquest.com/docview/145286700). Retrieved June 9, 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** ["Chaffee, Annie R"](https://ancexplorer.army.mil/publicwmv/index.html#/search-all/results/1/CgdDaGFmZmVlEgVBbm5pZRoBUg--/). *ANCExplorer*. U.S. Army. Retrieved June 9, 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** [The Ohio Channel : Your State : Remarkable Ohio : Home](http://www.remarkableohio.org/index.cfm?action=search_markers.marker_details&marker_id=911) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20150924090048/http://www.remarkableohio.org/index.cfm?action=search_markers.marker_details&marker_id=911) 2015-09-24 at the [Wayback Machine](/source/Wayback_Machine) at www.remarkableohio.org

## External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to [Adna Chaffee](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Adna_Chaffee).

English [Wikisource](/source/Wikisource) has original works by or about:

**[Adna Romanza Chaffee](https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/en:Author:Adna_Romanza_Chaffee)**

- [Men of Mark in America](https://archive.org/stream/menofmarkinameri00gate#page/n295/mode/2up) (1905 book)

- [Arlington National Cemetery](http://www.arlingtoncemetery.net/achafee.htm) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20150124102942/http://www.arlingtoncemetery.net/achafee.htm) January 24, 2015, at the [Wayback Machine](/source/Wayback_Machine)

Military offices Preceded by Samuel B. M. Young Chief of Staff of the United States Army 1904–1906 Succeeded by John C. Bates

v t e Leaders of the United States Army Senior officers / commanding generals Washington Knox Doughty Harmar St. Clair Wayne Hamilton Wilkinson Dearborn J. Brown Macomb W. Scott McClellan Halleck Grant Sherman Sheridan Schofield Miles Chiefs of staff Young Chaffee Bates Bell Wood Wotherspoon H. Scott Bliss March Pershing Hines Summerall MacArthur Craig Marshall Eisenhower Bradley Collins Ridgway Taylor Lemnitzer Decker Wheeler Johnson Westmoreland B. Palmer (acting) Abrams Weyand Rogers Meyer Wickham Vuono Sullivan Reimer Shinseki Keane (acting) Schoomaker Casey Dempsey Odierno Milley McConville George LaNeve (acting) Vice chiefs of staff Collins Haislip Hull Bolte W. Palmer Lemnitzer Decker Eddleman Hamlett Abrams Haines B. Palmer Haig Weyand Kerwin Kroesen Vessey Wickham Thurman A. Brown RisCassi Sullivan Reimer Peay Tilelli Griffith Crouch Shinseki Keane Casey Cody Chiarelli Austin Campbell Allyn McConville Martin George Mingus LaNeve

v t e Buffalo Soldiers Predecessors United States Colored Troops Bureau of Colored Troops Original units 9th Cavalry Regiment 10th Cavalry Regiment 24th Infantry Regiment 25th Infantry Regiment Medal of Honor recipients (1866–1918) Edward L. Baker Jr. Dennis Bell Thomas Boyne Benjamin Brown George Ritter Burnett Louis H. Carpenter John Denny Pompey Factor Clinton Greaves Henry Johnson George Jordan Fitz Lee Isaiah Mays William McBryar Adam Paine Isaac Payne Thomas Shaw Emanuel Stance Freddie Stowers William H. Thompkins Augustus Walley George H. Wanton John Ward Moses Williams William Othello Wilson Brent Woods Notable battles (1866–1918) American Indian Wars Saline River Texas–Indian wars Beecher Island Wichita I Beaver Creek North Fork Red River War Wichita II Apache Wars Victorio Campaign Fort Tularosa Bannock Uprising Yaqui Uprising Bear Valley Meeker Massacre Spanish–American War Las Guasimas Tayacoba El Caney San Juan Heights Santiago Philippine–American War Moro Rebellion Border War Pancho Villa Expedition Carrizal Ambos Nogales World War I Third Battle of the Aisne Second Battle of the Marne Meuse–Argonne offensive Oise-Aisne Offensive See also Wham Paymaster Robbery Brownsville Affair Bisbee Riot United States Army Military history of African Americans

v t e American governors-general of the Philippines 1898–1935 Military government (1898–1902) Merritt Otis MacArthur Chaffee Insular Government (1901–1935) Taft Wright Ide Smith Forbes Gilbert Harrison Yeater Wood Gilmore Stimson Gilmore Davis Butte Roosevelt Murphy Smallcaps indicate military governors Italics indicate acting governors

[Portals](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Contents/Portals):
- [Biography](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portal:Biography)
- [American Civil War](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portal:American_Civil_War)

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