The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1877-05-29

DEATH OF COLONEL CHRISTOPHER @.
OF HIS LIFE AND PUB
Lie SERy1cEs-H1s ASSOCIATION WITH GEN
ERALS SHERMAN, ORD, AND HALLECK.-Col-
onel Christopher @. Tompkins, a we'll
known citizen and ex-army officer, died at
his residence, in this city, yesterday. De-
ceased was q son OF Colonel Christopher
Tompkins, OF Matthews county, aud was
horn in 1913. He was graduated Bachelor
OF Arts from William and Mary College,
and soon thereafter received the appoint
u1eut OF cadet ut West Point. From the
latter institution he was graduated when
not much more than twenty-one years OF
age. and he at once entered the army as
lieutenant OF artillery. He served with dis
tinction in the Indian war in Florida, ana
about the time OF the commencement OF our
troubles with Mexico was made captain,
and ordered to California.
General Sherman was one OF the ieuten-
ants in the company. In his memoirs he
saws: az found Company F at Governors
Island, Captain e. @. Tompkins in COM
mand: Lieutenant E. o. c. Ord senior first
lieutenant, myself junior first lieutenant.
Lucien Loeser and Charles Minorthe second
lieutenants. The company had been filled
up to one hundred privates, twelve non
commissioned officers, and one ordnance
sergeant, making one hundred and thirteen
enlisted men and five officers. Lieutenant
II. W. Halleck, Of the engineers, was also
along. The United States storeship Lex
ington was then preparing at the navy-yard,
Brooklyn, to carry us around Cape Horn to
California. On the 14th Of July, 1916, we
were towed to sea by steam-tug and cast
off,"
The ship arrived at Monterey in January,
1S47. During the year, as Sherman states,
"our captain (Tompkins) had become DIS
contented at his separation from his family,
rendered his resignation to General kehr-
ney, and availed himself Of sailing-yesSel
bound for Callao to reach the East"
Upon retiring from the army Captain
Tompkins located in Richmond and engaged
in the iron business. His lingering fondness
for military life induced him to accept the
captaincy Of the Henrico Troop, famous
organization in its day. After several years
residence here tine deceased removed to
Western Virginia, built him a handsome
house, and engaged in coal-minins near
Paint creek. When the trouble between
the South and North arose he promptly gave
his sympathles and services to Virginia. lie
was madelcolonel, and was largely instru-
mcnCal III TalSlHS III CndC SecLiou VI ' IL LIZ"
troops for the Confederacy.
When the Confederates evacuated West
ern Virginia Colonel Tompkins's family
were left outside the Federal lines. They
were protected by Rosecranz, who gave
them guard, and finally passed them into
our territory. Rosecranz saved Colonel
Tompkins's property for the time, but sub.
sequent commanders in that section allowed
it to be wantonly destroyed.
In the second or third year OF the war
Colonel Tompkins resigned his commission
in the army and commenced mining coal at
the Dover mines in connection with the
Tredegar Works.
After the war for several years Colonel
Tompkins was commissioner for the South
ern Widows and Orphans Association. He
also served for several years as the chief
marshal at our agricultural fairs.
The three last years OF his life were spent
in bad health.
Colonel Tompkins was thoroughly hon.
orable and high-toned gentleman, who was
most thoroughly appreciated by those who
knew him best, He leaves to his wife and
children the inheritance Of good name
and the recolections OF well-spcnt life.
GJIis funeral will take place this evening at
3 O'Clock from st. James church.