Marcus F. Wright's Civil War Bios -  Colonel John T. Sprague

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                                  SPRAGUE
   p.298
   SPRAGUE, COLONEL JOHN T., the son of a navy surgeon, born at
   Newburyport, Massachusetts, in 1812. His father afterward settled in
   Detroit, Michigan, where the boy attracted the attention of General
   Cass, who, on responding to President Jackson's call for his
   assistance at the War Department, had young Sprague appointed to a
   position under his charge. There he remained until 1836, having two
   years been previously made lieutenant of marines.
   He served against the Creek and Seminole Indians in Florida, was
   appointed quartermaster and commissary of troops, and subsequently an
   aide on the staff of General Jessup. When the Eighth Infantry was
   formed by Colonel Worth, he was made first lieutenant, and, in 1839,
   joined the Florida campaign against Wildcat. For brave conduct at the
   affair of Pilacklikiha, Lieutenant Sprague received the brevet of
   captain. His regiment was sent to Texas in 1846. Later, he assumed
   charge of the Department of Florida and wrote an excellent history of
   the Florida war. His subsequent service included active work in New
   Mexico and Texas. In 1861 he became major in the First Infantry, and
   served as chief of staff to General Pope. He was Adjutant-General of
   New York State 1861-1865; became colonel of the Seventh Infantry in
   1865, and retired in 1870.