New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1874-12-06

1t is known that . project had long been
maturing by Major General John 6. Eos
ter, of the United States army, for con-
Meeting Boston and East Boston by sub
marine tunnel. The Boston .Adrertiser, re-.
ferring 20 the project, says:
The sudden death Of that accompli shed
gentleman, scientist and soldier. General
Foster, short time since. produced y pro-
found sensation throughout the country,
and especially in New York and Boston,
where he was 80 well and so favorably
known. He was regarded as young Otfi
Ger of great promise in the Mexican war,
under Scott where he won two brevets, and
in the war Of the rebellion he distinguished
himself on many hard fought field. At
Roanoke Island. Newbern, Fort Macon,
Kingston, Whitehall and Goldsborough he
was veritsble hero, and, indeed, through
he exhibited all the traits of . great col
der. His gallantry. bOldnese and dash
were always tempered by cool judgment.
prudence and caution, without which no
commander can be truly great. At West
Point he graduated as an engineer, which
means that he was among the first scholars
of his class. He afterward became eminent
as civil as we'll as military engineer. He
was always tavOrite in the army and out
of it, owing TO his genial disposition, affable
manners and fine personal presence. He
was undoubtedly, it We except Hancock, the
handsOmest man among our Generals.
With snch personal advantages, coupled
with his brilliant military reputation and
varied accomplishments, it is not to be
wondered at that he was received every
where with marked distinction and favor.
Among the citizens of Boston be had many
warm friends, but it is not generally known
how near he came to being one Of the great
benefactors Of our city. A charter had been
obtained from the Legislature for tunnel
under Charles river, from point near Long
Wharf, TO East Boston, and General Foster
had agreed 70 obtain furlough of the War
Department and superintend the work as
engineer. He had invented new and most
Ingenious method Of doing away with the
c.tfer dam in the construction of q tunnel,
substituting telescope tube Of boiler iron,
laid in sections, as shell or sheath in which
to construct the permanent mason work,
thus not only greatly cheapening the pro
cess, but making stronger and better tun-
mel when finished. Complete working draw
ings had been made and a patent obtained,
and he had agreed to give the use OF these
without charge and with no other compen-
satiOn for superintendent than the differ
ence between his duty and furlough pay in
the army. But fOf his untimely death, that
great work would probably have been in
progress, and perhaps completed, in 1875.
Possibly the corpOratOrs may supply his
place among the eminent engineers Of the
country. but the task will be difficult He
had worked out the plan with accuracy, be-
lieved in it and was willing to stake his
reputation as an engineer upon its success.
1t is to be hoped that some man may be
found willing and competent to test this
novel invention, and that Boston proper
and East Boston may yet be united by
submarine tunnel. The project is by no
means abandoned, though postponed on &C.
count Of the death Of Major General Poster,