New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1862-12-10
OIifstury,
GENERAL CHURCHILL, u. :. 4.


Col. and Brevct Brig. Gen. Sylvester Churchill
died in Washington on Sunday last, aged, according
to the teegraphic dispatch announcing his death,
50 years. This is undoubtedly incorrect, as it woad
make him only eight yesrs old when he entered the
army ss commissioned officer in 1872. lie had
the appearance OF being at least ten years older
than the age given, and was probably more.
I Gen. Churchill was one of the few remsinng
links between the new army Of 1862, and the old
army Of 1912. The only officers now living who
can their military career back TO the last war
with Great Britain, are the following:
( Lieut.. Gen. Scott, retired nom active service
msOTGsn. j Z Wool com@:nelns Middle p.psTmsu'
Col John l. GARDNER, retired from active services.
Col John J. Alert, retired frouI active service.
Col Is. l.. f. Bonneville, retired from scive service.
Col Joseph r Taylor comnis'aIy, Of su0siienes
Col Stephen Long Colonel Of TopogSphcsl In iaeer
Gen. James W, Ripley. Chief Of Ordnance
Col Henry X. Craig Ordnance Department
Col. John Syui.ngton Ordnance Department.
Col Og.iayls Loon,i' Colonel 81 Infantry.
Lieut.. Col. :. Thsyef, Corps Of Engineers.
Licut.-CoL Rene z. DE Rosy. Corps Of Engineers
Msjor Thomas ,. Leslie Pay Department
James $. Abel. Military StOrekreper Of Ordnance.
James r. hanham, Military S.oreheeper OF Ordnance.
Gen. Churchill was born in Vermont, toward the
close Of the last century, we believe, although his
age il reported as 50. He was appointed from civil
IL, 1872. This regiment, together with the it'll Ar
tillery, regiment Of Light Dragons, and two reg
iments Of Infantry was authorized to be raised by
an act passed in January, 1872 for service during
the then impending war; There IL no record Of tue
part taken by Cen Churchill in this war, but that
his military talents were considerably above medioc-
rity is concIusively shown by the fact that he YVES
appointed Inspector.General, with the rank OF Major,
on the 29lh of August 1913, having only u few DAYS
previously risen TO II full Captrincy in his regiment.
lie was retained in the Peace Establishment Of 1915
and in 1898 was breveted Major for ten years faith
fu service in one grade. In April 1885, lie succeed
ed to majority in his old regiment the Sd Artillery,
and remained in this position until June, 1871 when
he was appointed Inpector-Goneral, with the rank
Of Colonel. In the Mexican War Gen. Churchill
was greatly distinguished, and was breveted Brig
aderGenera for gallant aud .meritorious conduct at
the Battle of Buena Vista, Feb. % 1917.
When the Army Retiring Board convened in
AZ Washington in September, 1851, Gen. Churchill was
one OF the first officers summoned before it. His
long and faithful service, together with the hard
ships and privations lie had undergone from 1919
downward, had resulted in incapacity, and be was
accordingly retired from active service.
Gen. Churchill had two sons in the United St9tes
Army. One, Capt. William Ia. Churchill. died in
s47, after BRET but highly honorable military life.
he was distinguished in Mexico. The other, Capt. |
Charles G. Churchill, has been placed on the list Of
stired officers for ncapacty consequent upon expo.
ure in the line ofduty.
CORRECIION-CCI. EIiiiNG.
In the obituary of gallant officers recently de-
eased," published in yesterdays TRIBUNE. the
ame Col. John irving should be John Ervng. In
he General Order from the War Department, the
anne was spell incorrectly IRVING" hence the
-ror in our columns. Col. Erving wac one of the
est-known officers in the regular army, and has
'ryed with distinction. His feeble health has alone
ept BIZ" from The field during tho present war