Page:Men of Mark in America vol 2.djvu/228

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ALBERT LEOPOLD MILLS

MILLS, ALBERT LEOPOLD, soldier and superintendent United States military academy; was born in New York city, May 7, 1854. His parents were Abiel Buckman and Anne (Warford) Mills. His earliest American ancestors on the paternal side settled in New England. His mother's family have had homes on Long Island, for several generations.

After studying in the public schools Albert Mills entered the United States military academy, from which institution he was graduated June 12, 1879. On the day following his graduation he received a commission as second lieutenant in the 1st United States cavalry. He served at West Point in the department of tactics, was professor of military science and tactics at the South Carolina military academy in 1886, and instructor in the United States infantry and cavalry school at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, 1894-98. At various times, 1879-90, he was engaged in frontier duty, participating in the wars with the Crow Indians, 1887, and the Sioux, 1890. He was promoted first lieutenant, 1889, and served as adjutant, 1890-94. At the opening of the war with Spain he received the appointment of captain and assistant adjutant-general of volunteers. He served in the 2d brigade, cavalry division, of the 5th army corps and took part in the battles of Las Guasimas and Santiago de Cuba. For brilliant service he was made brevet major and lieutenant-colonel, and "for most distinguished gallantry" in action at Santiago de Cuba, where he remained on the field and encouraged his men after receiving a wound which for the time entirely deprived him of sight, he was awarded a medal of honor. He was appointed superintendent of the United States military academy, August 22, 1898, and was honorably discharged from the volunteer service September 24 of the same year. On October 24, 1898, he was made captain of the 6th cavalry in the regular army; and on May 7, 1904, he reached the rank of brigadier-general.

On November 15, 1883, General Mills was married to Alada Thurston Paddock, daughter of Right Reverend John Adams Pad-