Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1882-05-11

MAJOR 6ARRBTT >. LYDECKER DETAILED As KNGnrY18.
COMMISSIONER or THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.

MAJOR GARRBTT J. LYDECKER DETAILED As Els6fsE1u
COMMISSIONER or THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.
The President and the Secretary OF War had q
long conference at the White House late yesterday
afternoon. The army register was carefully ex-
amined and the records of the different officers OF
the corps OF engineers were considered. 1t was
!ecided to detail Major Garrett j. Lydecker as
Engineer Commissioner OF the District of Column
bia, to succeed Major Twining. Major Lydecker
has been In charge OF the Improvements OF the
harbor at Chicago since July 18th, 1873, and the
work done by him there is spoken OF In the most
complimentary manner. He has been ordered by
telegraph to report here for duty and the regular
or'er detailing him was issued from the War
department to-day. Major Lydecker is the son OF
Jonn X LydeTker, an intimate friend OF the Presi-
dent, who was dismissed from the New York
custom house in company with Chester A.
Arthur
He is a native Of New jersey, and was
selected for appointment to military cadet
ship by competitive examination or pupils from
the free schools OF New York. He was at West
Point from September. 1850 to June 18th, 1854,
when he was graduated and promoted to first
lion he served at the siege OF Petersburg in the
Army OF the Potomac, being In command Of CON-
pany OF the engineer battalion. He was brevetted
captain April 81 1865, for gallant and merftOriOuS
services at that siege also, assistant engineer
In making surveys at the theater OF military opera
18th, 1865 and while acting as assistant to the
board OF engineers Eor the Moderation OF the forti
Cations In the vicinity of New York, he was pro-
neer on Fort Wayne. Michigan, and harber i'm
provements on Lakes Erie and Huron from April,
1867, TO November, 1863, and on the works in
charge or Major Prime from November, 1858, to
April 1869; as superintendent engineer OF the de-
fences OF New Orleans the survey Of Galveston
harbOr, Texas, and the 8th lighthouse district west
OF Pearl river, from April TO July, 1892 he served
as assistant professor Of engineering at the West
Point military academy from August 18th, 1869, to
February 18th, 1871, and as principal assistant
professor until August 15th 1872; as chief engi-
neer on the stan of the commanding general OF the
division OF the Pacific from september 9Th, 1872 to
February 5th, 1874; as assistant engineer on
from February 24th, 1875, to May
81, 1877, and as chief engineer OF the division
OF the Missouri until July 10th, 1878, performing
the duties OF experimenting engineer OF improve
ments of the harbor OF Michigan city, of the new
Buffalo harbOr, of the Chicago and Calumet har-
bOrS and OF the Illinois river. He was a member
OF the board OF officers to examine candidates for
the position OF second lieutenant in the army in
1879 and was also member of the board OF engi-
neerS on the Improvement OF the Chicago and
Michigan city har6orS in 1878. He was stationed
at Chicago continuously from January 1St, 1S7S as
chief engineer officer at the headquarters of the
military division OF the Missouri. He was de-
tiched from duty as chief engineer officer July
l2t, 1913, and since that date has been in charge
or Improvements OF harbOrS, particularly the
chicago harbor. He was promoted to be major
March 3lSt, 1880.
OF sterling integrity of character, thorough eng-
neer and stood among the first in his class at West
Point. His detail to this city Is regarded with
much favor by his former classmates, who speak
In the highest terms OF praise of him as an officer
and gentleman.