Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1880-09-09
General TOrhert.

Wilmington DELI Every EVENING"
General Alfred 7. A. Torbert, who
was among the lost on the Vera Cruz,
was born in Georgetown, Sussex coun.
ty, in 1888, and was consequently in
his 47th year. His father was Jona-
than r. Torbert, a Methodist local
preacher, and formerly cashier Of the
Farmers bank at Georgetown his
mother was a Miss Robinson, the
daughter Of an old Sussex family. As
a lad, young TOrbert attended the
Georgetown high school, where he
was noted as a ready pupil, and a boy
unusually popular among his school
mates. At the age of Is, through the
influence of Judge Wootten, he was
appointed by Hon. George Bead Rid
die to a West Point cadetship. He
was graduated in 1855 and ordered to
duty in Florida the following year. In
1851 he was ordered to accompany the
Utah expedition, and was on duty
there until 1860. On September 25th,
1861, he was commissioned captain,
and on the breaking out Of the wal
assigned to the colonelship fthe First
New Jersey volunteers. After serving
with distinction as a brigade com
mander OF the Sixth corps in
the battles of Manassas, Antie-
tam, and South Mountain, he
was, on the 10Th of November, 1862.
commissioned a brigadier Of
volunteers. He served in the battle
of Gettysburg, and on July 4th,
1863, was breveted a major in the
United States regular army, and was
given a cavalry command in the army
Of the Cumberland, in which he served
during the campaign Of May and June,
1864, and was present at all the no
table engagements Of that campaign.
He served also under Sheridan during
his famous campaign in the Shenan-
doah valley, where he distinguished
himself in the numerous brilliant
dashes by the division under his com
mand. On May 18th, 1864, he was
breveted lieutenant colonel Of the
United States army, and on March
18th, 1865, brigadier-general and ma
ior-general for meritOrious services at
Cedar creek and throughout the
whole war. In 1865 he married Miss
Mollie, only daughter Of Daniel Cur
ry, a wealthy farmer of Milford, and
at one time state senator. The we'd
ding was on a scale of unusual mag
nifcepoe, and was attended by Gen.
eral Meade, Wilson and Webb, and
other celebrities, who came from
Philadelphia on a special train.
Throughout his whole life General
Ton bert had been an earnest and con-
sistant republican and, in 1868, was
nominated for congress by the repub-
licans Of this state, but was defeated
by his democratic competitor, Benja-
min T. Biggs. by 1925 majority. In
1871 General Torhert was appointed
consul general to San Salvador, and
alterwad served a short time in Ha.
yapa. He wa afterwards appointed
by President Grant consul general to
Paris. During his ~residenoe abroad,
his wife, a very handsome woman OF
tall and queenly dignity, was always a
prominent and much admired member
Of the highest circles Of diplomatic
society.
In 1873 General Torbert was re.
moved from Office to make room fol
Lncius Fairohild, of Wisconsin. HC
then retired to his home at Milford
where he spent his leisure in super.
intending the cultivation Of his large
and productive farms. In the begin.
ming Of the present campaign he wa
prominently spoken Of as a probable
republican candidate for the congress.
SIGNAL nomination lately conferred
upon Judge Houston. He was a mar
OF splendid physique and fine appear.
ance, and was widely known and yer!
popular.
On the Tuesday preceding the sail
ing Of tue Vera Cruz, General Torber
left or New York, to take passage OIL
that vessel for the city OF Mexico
He went thither as the representa-
tive Of a number of capitalists, to so
cure a land grant from the Mexicai
government for the building ola rail
road, 26O miles ia length, from th.
Cult Of Mexico TO the Pacific, for tn
construction Of which the funds hal
been subscribed.
PUBLIC LEDGER job printingofic
ard book bindery, l3 Madison,