Portal:New York (state)/Selected biography

John Watts de Peyster (born March 9, 1821 in New York City) was a prolific writer, historian, and General in the United States Army during the American Civil War, who previously served as Adjutant General of the New York National Guard. His treatise New American Tactics advocated making the skirmish line the new line of battle, and was considered revolutionary at the time. His tactics were put into practice by Generals such as John Buford and were later adopted worldwide. (More...)