The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-12-03
Obituary.

Obituary.
CAPT. JOHN ". 0UNNIs0N, UNITED STATES ARMY.
The untimey and tragic fate Of this gallant and ablc
officer while engaged in the arduous duties Of the
men has caused profound impression throughout tho
country.
Capt Cum ison was placed BY the War Department IN
April last in command fthe party charged with the
and Of the Central Pacific Railroad route
He left St. Louis after receiving his instructions from tho
government early In June last with high hopes and posi-
sessing the confidence of the country more faithful
energetic and efficient officer could not have been selected
for the important post assigned him. The appropriation
Of Congress- providing for the survey extremely limit
ed but the utmost power given to Capt Gunnison by
the Secretary Of War; consistent with the act under which,
the survey was required to be made. It not until
Nav that Capt Gunnson received notification that he
was required to assume the command Of the expeditions
He Immediately set out for Washington to arrange tho
necessary matters for the difficult work before him. tho
organization Of his party the selection OF his assstan
the purchase of commsary and msteria for the work"
The Secretary OF War; having the most unbounded con'
dence in the judgment and fidelity of Capt Gunnison AL
lowed him to write his Instructions and to organise
the whole plan and material of the expedition This work
accomplished in less than q week, and the gslanS
officer was on his way to the mountains.
Captain Gunnison . native of New Hampshire. no
graduated at West Point in the year 1885, After his
graduation he assumed his place in the artillery On tho
organization Of the Typographical Department of the
army consisting of thirty six persons he transferred
to that branch Of the service He was selected thA
scientific corps because of his peculiar and
his active and efficient labors in the copa
has for him among the frat in the country.
For many years previous to 1s49 he had been engaged ia
the Coast Survey the Lakes and his lAbors in
poltant work have been second to his corps He
remarkable for energy, accuracy and
he huroa mn
it is believed that Col Albert his chief regarded him aa
of the most competent faithful ard upright officers
in the service of the War Department He an hon
He served his government with all the energy
| and power Of his cultivated mind
In lS49 he attached to theparty under Capt Star-
bury which ordered to make Typographical Survey
OF the basin Of the Great Salt Lake. Capt Gunnson
charged with the astronomical duties OF that survey
the manner in which he acquitted himself is well know9
the country The detention Of the party al the Mormo
city of Utah enabled Capt g. In the interval Of time
make porant observations upon the thsocraoy Of tho
Mormon government which, in the following year after
he returned, were given to the public This work Is
of the most interesting records of the interior growth OF
this country, and Of the peculartes Of the Mormon
church, which has been written 1t extensively
| repub)ished in this country and in England.
Capt. Gunnison married Miss Delony, Of Georgia. in
l84l and he leaves his wife and three children VII
1t is believed in the latter Stats to his ur.
timely and most melancholy fate. As nearly can bs
ascertained he killed by band Of Utah Indians, who
had mistaken his party for Mormons His body WAS
pierced BY twenty six arrows Of his had been
cut off, and he otherwise mutilstsd This have
occurred about the 26th October last Capt. g. had
determined to 60 into winter quarters, and making
arrangements accordingly.
His death in the service of the government many hum
l.nl.~
tructive lesson to the War Department reference to
the safety Of scientific officers thus detached from tho
haunts of civilization and safety He was one Of the
abest and bravest in the scientific corps and, al
though young had position a. an officer, and
character gentlen an, which gave promise Of the
highest usefulness to his country Peace to the gallant
dead
William a. Greenough, broker of this city, died At his
residence in Rochester on the Both ult.