The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-12-22
OBITUARY.


General Alpheus 5. Williams. member Of the House
OF Representatives from Michigan and chairman Of
the House Committee on the District OF Columbia
died in Washington at four o'clock yesterday morn
ing. after week Illness. He became unconscious
Thursday noon since which time little hope has been
entertained II recovery, and the long continued
stupor ended with quiet, painless death. due
to efusion OF blood upon the brain. His
death removes from the political scene a man
who was at distinguished journalist, lawyer,
statesman and dpomatist and gallant officer in two
great wars. General Williams descended from
that Williams family Of Eastern Connecticut. which
counted among its members many eminent men. in
clud ng sgner of the Declaration of Independence.
William Williams, of Lebanon The deceased Gen
eral born saybrook Conn. September 10. 1870
and received his early education in the schools
of that town. He graduated at Yale College
IN 1881 III a class which contained several gentle
who subsequently, achieved national distinctions
aud spent two years-ls34-33as student in the Yale
Law School In the following year he visited Europe
where he remained two years, travelling extensively
on the Continent and acquiring that intimate
quaintanee with the and things OF the old World
which proved useful to him in his subsequent
career. Returning 10 America in 1896 he took up his
residence at Detroit then the capital OF Michigan.
which had been admitted State only few months
the whole period of the existence Of the State which
he represented in the halls Of Congress His career
at the Bar of Michigan was an emnently respectable
though not brilliant one. IN iofo ne was
elected TO the responsible post Of Judge of Probate
for Wayne county tcomprehending Detroitl, filed
that office until is4i. when he became City Recorder,
having meanwhile served one year Alderman, and
having lsi3 added 10 his other public functions
those of editor and proprietor OF the Detroit Daily
id,ertser. of the leading wing organs Of the
Northwest He served in lsi1s lieutenant colonel
OF the First infantry regiment Stockton - Of Michi
!
corded as having participated in any important en-
gageinent. He was actively engaged in the political
campaign OF ls4s which resulted in the election of
General Taylor TO the Presidency, and rewarded
with the Office of postmaster OF Detroit ls4953. He
took deep interest in the progress of education
and acted member of the Detroit School
Board, 1861. At the outbreak Of the civil
his military antecedents well
his professional eniinence naturally marked him out
for of the first commissions brgadier general
given TO his State May II, 1861. though his actual
service commenced III August. and fo- some months
he was employed in organizing the Michigan volun
teers In March, 1862. he was placed in command Of
the First division of General Banks operating
in the Shenandoah Valley. and the organization
and drill OF that command was mainly due TO his I'M
firing industry and ability showing that he had
studied military tactics to purpose before
Stunning post OF such momentous Importance to the
country. At the memorable battle of Cedar Noun
tain, August o. 1862 General Williams commanded
the right wing. which bore the brunt of the fghting
pierced Wnder's division drove Taliaferros brigade
i'll confusion along the Culpeper road and uncovered
Earlys flank, but afterward overwhelmed
by the impetuous attack led by .'stonewa
one-thrd OF ms DIVISION was killed or
wounded. General Williams succeeded Banks in
command of the Twelfth corps, which he led at the
battles OF South Mountain. September Ii, and Antie
tam. September II. On the latter on his com
Inand stationed the right, resting the
Hagerstown turnpike. and it fell to his lot 10 make
that flank attack upon Stonewall Jackson, Dun
ker Church, which drove him back with the loss of
half his effective force including two division
inanders-Generals Starke and Lawton. Later in the
day General Williams i'll temporary command OF the
Twelfth corps after the death OF General Mansfield
had tO fh, terri oh frpm he
bined debris of Jacksons and Hoods divisions anil
after most gallant resistance was forced TO with
draw from the conquered positions. During this
whole battle General Williams i'll the thckest of
the hight, and displayed mastery generaship in the
management ana disposition of his troops His modest
and unassuming department., however. caused other.
less deserving officers to be credited with of his
exploits Though not mentioned in the official
port his merit is fully recognized by the Comte de
Paris in his history of that battle General Williams
present at the battles of fredericksburg and
Charlottesville. and highly distinguished himself at
Getty sburg u division commander under General
slocuIn winning unqualified praise for the mastcrly
manner which he led the whole of Slocum's corps
into the battle. and the ability and courage he dis
played repeated ierce assaults against the
1t expected that he would be at promoted to
the rank of major general but that distinction was
delayed until near the close of the In October.
1e63. Genera. Williams was transferred with his corps
10 Tennessee engaged at Lookout Mountain and
commanded the First division OF the Twentieth
corps in the Atlanta campaign. He bore dis
sacca May IA and Is. 1864. and before
Atlanta in July and August. He succeeded to the
command OF the Twentieth corps November ii. 1864,
and discharged the duties of that post with accep
fanee throughout Sherman's march 10 the sea- and
the subsequent campaign of the Carolinas. and was
last breyettel major general He remained in the
service until January, 1866 and appointed
August OF the commissioners to adjust the mill
tary claims of Missouri. He the democratic
didae for Governor OF Michigan in November of that
year. but defeated, ana Immediately accepted
from President Johnson the appointment of Minister
Resident to the Republic salvador. where he
sided until the election of President Grant In 1874
be elected TO Congress from the Detroit district
the combined democratic and reform tickets was
rr-eiected in lsf6 and again in 1878. "A meeting of
citizens of the District OF Columbia called last
evening at Millars Hotel Ia express the and
sympathy OF the people with whose interests Gen
eral Williams has been prominently identified. and
10 pay tribute OF respect and gratitude TO his
memory Resolutions OF esteem and coincidence
adopted. and speeches expressive of the warmest APP
probation of his character soldier. legislator
and a man were made by Ex-Governor Shep-
herd, who presided; General Boughton, General
Mitchell. Colonel Kennedy and many Of his old
rads;s III arms. The funeral will take place al his
Washington residence this morning at halfpast nine.
after which committee appointed by the speaker Of
tho House and consisting OF Messrs. Hubbell and
Wilets of Michigan; Cannon, of Illinois; Aiken. of
South Carolina; Mayhain, OF New York; Dckey, Of
Ohio, aud Townshend of Illinois, will accompany the
body TO Detroit. General sherman has oraered ali
the regulars at Washington 10 report for duty
the funeral aud will lie present with hs staff The
portion u the escort 10 the depot.