Halleck, Henry Wager (1815–1872)

US general who served with the Union forces in the Civil War. In 1862 he was made commander-in-chief of the Union forces, but was superseded by Ulysses S Grant 1864. Halleck then became Chief of Staff.

Halleck was born in Westerville, New York. From 1841 to 1846 he was employed on defence works at New York. He served in the war with Mexico 1846, and in 1849 helped to frame the state constitution of California. He resigned from the army 1854, but returned to service at the outbreak of the Civil War.