The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-01-31
OBITUARY..

BRIaADInR GENERAL BENJAMIN 8. ROBERTS.
Brigadier General Benjamin 8. Roberts died AZ
Washington, ID. c., on Friday evening" or pieuro-
pneumonia. aged sixty.four years. He was born
at Manchester, W.. in 1911, and was graduated
from the Military Academy at West Point In 1885.
Alter serving on frontier duty for Jour years he
resigned and became civil engineer. He was
the principal engineer OF the Chsmpain and Og-
densourg railroad in 1889. aud In ls4l no became
Assistant GeoOgist .or this State. In 1872 he went
TO Russia as assistant engineer to Lieutenans
Whistier, who had been charged with the con-
struclion of railroads in that Empire, but he re.
tIrhed the next year. and. being admitted TO the
Bar begun the practice OF the law in Iowa. He
remained 81 the Bar till lsa6. when tina
war with Mexico brought nim back to the
army. When he resigned In 1889 he held
dragons, aud he re-entersd the army with
the same rank In the Mounted Rifles. lie
battles OF Corro GordO, Contreras and ChuruDuscO
tne stoIming OF Chapultepec ana in the assault
ana capture o. the Cty OF Mexico. He became q
captain IN l847. and the same year was breve ted
msloT for gailantry at Chapultepec, where no COM
manded On advance party OF stormer@ After the
General Lane against che guerillas ana was bre-
4 asf 'ss sssssF SsE 81 y:
a sGs asY NV ~ Asass 90. ans s,s
ne was unfit FOR duty. The rebellion found him
~ New Mexico where he was assigned to the
commend OF the Northern district in 1861. In
January ana February 1852, he defended Fort Craig
against the Texans, under General Sibley and
fought the battle OF Valverde. He mad previously
been appointed major in the Third cavalry, and he
was breyetted Lieutenant colonel for gaiantry in
that action. He was Ordete to washington in
June, 1862 and, beng appointed brigadier gen.
eral OF volunteers. ne Was ordered tU Join the
Army OF Virginia, under General Pope, az cniel Of
cavalry. He participated In the battle OF Cedar
Mountain and the second battle OF Bull Run, as
well as IN the intervening skirmisnes &C ting be.
sides, Is inspector general. In the autumn OF
1862 he was IN service against the Indians OF Min.
nesota, as inspector general 0l the Department OF
the Northwest He was In command OF the de-
fences OF Washington in the spring OF
1858, ana later In the year commanded
the Independent Brigade, operating In West
Virginia From June 70 December, 1868, ne com.
manded the district OF Iowa, and IN February fol-
lowing took command OF the district OF UarrolltOn,
La. He subsequently commanded the first divi-
sion OF the Nineteenth army corps and as chief OF
cavalry OF the Department OF the Gulf He also
did duty in West Tennessee, where he was in COM
mand OF the cavalry division at the close OF the
war. He was made major general or volunteers
by brevet, and was 0revetted brigadier general
March 10, 1855. In June, 1865, be was appointed
lieutenant colonel OF the Third cavalry, but his
health being feeble he was absent from his COM
mand most OF the time on leave, aud was fnally
placed the retired list in 1870. Since that time
he resided most OF the time In Washington.