The Evening critic., 1882-05-11
OUR ENGINEER COMMISSIONER.
Major q. ,. Lydccker the Man His
Military Record. Etc.

An order was Issued at the War Department
to-day, detailing, by direction OF the Presi
dent, Major Garrett j. Lydecker, Corps OF En-.
gincers, L. S. A., to duty in this city as Engi-
ncer Commissioner Of the District OF Columbia,
In place Of Major W. t. Twining, decoased.
Major Lydeckor Is now on duty in Chicago,
and Will repair to this city at once TO assume
his now duties. He will take charge on Mon
day next. In making this selection aside from
the undisputed merit OF Major Lydecker, the
President was Influenced by his Intimacy and
experience with his father, Mr.. John II. Ly-
decker, who served with him In the Now York
Cusiom-Housc, and who, like the President,
was victim to President Hayes alleged civil
service policy.
Mayor Lydeclxcr
is a native Of New Jersey, and was appointed
TO tho Military Academy from New York, as tho
result OF a competitive examination, Septem-
Der l, 1850, and remained there till juno 10,
1864, when he graduated at the head of his
class, and was promoted to tho Army ns n
First Lieutenant, Corps OF Engineers. He
served in the war OF the rebellion from 1851
to 1866, and took part In tho operations about
Petersburg In the Army Of the Potomac, being
in command OF the engineer battalion at that
siege, October "a, 1864; Apri, 2 1865, he
torious services ut the Siege OF Petersburg,
and acted as Assistant Enginoer In max.
Ing surveys ysro,,Sas ng hCloro theatre sSnt ct1 e1
from April 13, 1865, TIL June 15 OF tho
same year, and as assistant 10 the Board of
Engineers lof inc nlellnTullOn OF INC IOrllu-
cations in the vicinity of New York from June
20, 1860, to March 81, 1867. He was pro-
NOTED to be Captain, Corps of Engineers, Aug
ust g, 1896, and served as Assistant Engineer
on Fort Wayne, Mich, and harbor improve
ments on lakes Erie and Huron from April,
1867, to November, 1865 on works In charge
Of Major Prime, November, 1865, to April,
1860; experimenting Engineer of the
defenses OF New orleans, survey OF Galveston
harbor, Texas, and Eighth Lighthouse Dis
t'ict, west of Pearl River, Aprll-July, 1867 at
the Military Academy as Assistant Professor
of Engineering, August %, 1869, to February
10, 1871, and Principal Assistant Professor,
February 10, 1871, to August 10, 1872; as
Chief Engineer on the stan of the Commanding
General OF the Division of the Pacific, Septem-
ber g, 1872, to February 5, 1874; as Assistant
Engineer on the works In charge of Major
Houston, February "a, 1875, 20 May g. 1877;
as Chief Engineer of the Division of the Mis-
sourl, May 3, 1877 to July 16 1873; as super
Intending Engineer of improvements of the
harbor of Michigan City, May 8, 1877, to juno
80, 1878; OF New Buffalo Harbor, May 3, 1877,
TO July Is, 1873; of Chicago and Calumet
Harbors, Maya, 1S77;'of Illinois River, Noyem-
ber 13, 1877. He was n member of the Board
of officers for the examination of candidates
for appointment of Second LieutenantS In tho
army, September, 1873, and of Board OF Engi-
neers onImprovement of Chicago and Michigan
City Harbors, July, 1878. He was stationed at
Chicago continuously from January 1, 1873, as
Chief Engineer Oflcer at Headquarters Mill
tary Division of the Missouri, and In charge
OF harbor and other improvements to July 10,
1873, since which he has been in charge of
certain improvements of harbors He was
brevetted Major August l, 1864, and was pro-
NOTED TO be Major of Engineers March 81,
1880. His selection for duty as Engineer
Commissioner will undoubtedly give.general
satisfaction, as he is represented TO be n
and Independent man of progressive Ideas
and unimpeachable integrity.