The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1866-12-28

Major General samuel X. Curtis.

Major General samuel X. Curtis.
telegram from Washington yesterday announced the
death Of General Samuel r. Curtis, OF the commits
soncrs appointed to inspect the finished work upon the
Union Pacific Railroad. General Curtis was a native OF
New York, and entered tho Military Academy at West
Point In the year 1927 He graduated In 1884, and on
the ist Of July the year. appointed brevct
second lieutenant and assigned to q command in tho
Seventh Infantry After serving for the short space OF
nine months he resigned his commission and practised
civil engineer In Ohio until 1887. He next engaged
In the practice OF Law, and such remained In ONO
until 184l, when he removed to Iowa During his
stay In Ohio he was captain Of the Ohio mlitia,
and afterwards q colonel OF the same. He became
Adjutant General OF tho State On Ohio from May
90 1915, to juno 3d. ofyhe year He then under
took the colonclcy 81 tho Third regiment Of Ohio Voan
teers in the Mexican and fought In tue United states
service during the campaign In Mexico Ho served as
colonel from Juno % 1885, TO June "a Is47 After tho
discharge Of his regiment he served in the STAFF Of Brga
der General Wool as acting assistant adjutant general
and afterwards acted as the civil and military governor
OF Saltillo in Mexico In 1917.
On his return home he appointed chief engineer OF
tho Dies Mones'rver Improvement IN the state OF Iowa
This position he ied from December a. lS47 70 January
l. 1850 He was afterwards returned 70 Congress TO rep
district of the State Of Iowa While serving IN
Congress he commanded the Second regiment Iowa Vol
unteers, and while they were in service In Missouri
he had 70 leave his command In charge OF epenant
coloRe' futile while he proceeded TO Washington
10 attend tho extra session OF Congress, In which
hs spoke strongly in favor OF tho Union and it's
cause. At tho close OF the session no returned
to Missouri TO back up his words stu, nobler deods
He was appointed brgadier general, his commission
daiiug from May IL 1861 and resigned his ssat in Con-
gross further take up arms in defence Of the govern
ment For time he bad charge or the city and dts
tfic OF St Louis holding military jurisdiction over the
same He in this capacity served undor General Free
mont When General Halieck assumed commanded the
department General Curtis WIS ordered TO more i'm.
portant post at Roa, surfing point ind depot Of
concentration OF the troops now under his command
When properly prepared he, as acting MAJOR general In
command OF corps dd'IaSe went 10 pursuit Of General
Price and his rebel troops On tho 14h OF February
General H2lleck ally announced that General Cur
It's command had captured Springfield tho 18th that
the flag Of the Union floating tho border and IN
on the GOTH that General Curtis had defeated
Price Sugar creek the 2ls that no had taken pos
session OF Bentonvle the 18th, shat he had driven
tho rebels from Cross Hoows and the 27th that no
On tho oath Of September, 1850, General Curtis was
igned TO duty commander Of the Department Of
Missouri. Soon after he took command the copperhead
press the State opened charges against him OF having
engaged in Illegal cotton speculatony. None OF these
charges wore ever proven, and Is doubtful there
the clamor mado induced Mr. Lincoln 70 order MAJOR
General j. NJ. Schoiied TO relieve him from command
and the Gath Of May 1883 he reinqaished his duties
In the State after Of and successful
mand within It. For several months General Curtis re-
manned unassigned but on tho LIST Of January 1864 he
was ordered TO the command Of now military depart
men, embracing Kansas, Nebraska, Colorado, Idaho
and the Indian Territory In October Of tho Same
| year. when Price invaded Missouri for the last
time and fears entertained that Kansas would DO
invaded, the activity displayed by General Curtis and
bis subsequent vigorous pursuit Of Price not only saved
the rebel Indeed. urged at tho time that
bat tor the rapid pursuit OF Price large numbers of rebei
soldiers would have deserted while the retreat.
In January 1885, General Curtis transferred 70 tho
Department OF the North relieving Major General Pope
THIS position he hold unit, appointed Of the railroad
commissioners when no honorably mustered out VI
service in tho volunteer army.
General Curtis was q OF about nfty- i've years Of
ago, tall and well knt and presenting . commanding
and soIdieriy appearance. As o companion no was
pleasant and anable, and soldier brave and vgilan..
After the death OF General Lyon General Curtis became
the cole hope of the Missouri unionst and the
which att nded his military aitested his skl ~
officer Throughout the country his death will b. gone
ally nmented for, Notwithstanding all tina, has been
said about him. his military Ia known
tLerc Ii he admired. Ia his death tie Union loses a
s,anncn and od supporter and the peopc OF the North
able officer and truo man.