The Evening critic., 1882-05-06


his career, though short, has been distin-
guished In the military and civil service of
mourned by his friends and by the public,
whom he so ably served.
In view OF this sad and sudden calamity, and
out Of respect to the memory and virtues of
closed, and all public work of the District be
suspended until after his funeral, and that
the public buildings of the District be draped
in mourning. Very respectfully, &C.,
THOMAS p. MORGAN,
Commissioners Of the District of Columbia.
The Commissioners also addressed the fol-
lowing to the President:
OFFICE OF THE COMMISSIONERS
FTHE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA,
WASHINGTON, May 8, 1882
The Commissioners are grieved to an
nounce to Your Exceliency the death Of their
late colleague, Major william J. Twining, who
expired at his residence, in this city, ut :15
o'clock p. m. to-day, after a short illness.
a., We feel sure you win share with us the
Very respectfully, &C.,
]. DENT,
THOMAS p. MORGAN,
Commissioners OF the District Of Columbia.
The Columbia buildings were closed and
draped with black, and all business suspend
ed until after the funeral. BY order Of Ma,
in mourning.
Sketch of Major Twining's Life.
Major Twining entered the United States
Military Academy as cadet from Indiana
July 1, 1859, being then 10 years and 10
months old, making his age at his death only
AZ years and 8 months. He graduated No.
a in his class June II, 1868, on which day
he was appointed First Lieutenant in the
Engineer Corps. He was Immediately as
signed TO duty in the Department of
the Cumberland as assistant engineer,
serving from June 49, 5s6s to March
to the Department OF tho Ohio as chief engi-
neer, where he remained until january %,
1850, having the rank of captain Of stan and
aide de-camp from June 80, 1864, to August
80, 1866. He was chief engineer Of the Twen-
ty-third Army Corps to February 16, 1865,
the invasion of Georgia, participating in the
various movements and engagements OF that
General Hood in Tennessee, being engaged
in the battle of Franklin, Novem-
her nacs no go 1862 "a and sSe Of Nashville
of absence of seven weeks to August Ia, 1865,
he was stationed at West Point as principal as
sistant professor of engineering, where he re-
NAMED till April %, 1867. From June, 1867,
to February 81, 1870, he served as chief en-
gineer, Department of Dakota, and alde-de
camp to Brevet MajorGeneral Terry, then va
riously as engineer OF the Sixth Lighthouse
district, in command Of engineer company at
Willets Point, N. Y, as commissioner under
the State Department for survey of the bound
ary line Of tho United States along the
forty-ninth parallel of latitude, a part OF
this time on boundary Survey duty In Europe,
then as experimenting engineer OF the survey
of the Union and Central Pacific Railways;
then, from June ], 1877, to June 30, 1873, as
assistant to the chief of engineers In this city.
On the 9th Of June, 1873, he was made
Engineer Commissioner OF the District OF
Columbia. His promotions were rapid. Be-
sides being .brevetted Captain, Major and
Lieutenant-Colonel of Volunteers, he was
promoted Captain Of Engineers, December %,
1865, and Major OF Engineers october 16,
1877. In all these various duties his record,
like his life, was full, complete and satisfac-
tory.
By direction of Chief Cronin, all the fire
engine houses were draped with Grape early
this morning, and flags at halfmast were dis
played over all District buildings.
Meeting Of District Employees.
At 10 o'clock this morning tho employees oi
the various District Offices held a meeting In
the Commissioners office. DR.. Tindall was
appointed chairman, Dr.. Smith Townshend
vice president, and VIM. o. Roome secretary
The following committee was appointed to
draft resolutions Messrs. John +. Cook, Rober
| II. Dodge, VIM. Forsyth, j. Il. Petty and A. j
March.
The committee drafted the following:
Whereas we have learned Of the death O
| Major W. ]. Twining, U. A., and Engineer
| Commissioner, ID. c., and desire to give expires
sion to our feelings In relation to an event 81
fraught with mournful interest to us all
| Resoited-First-Ihat we have received tn
| intelligence of the death of Major Twining will
feelings OF profound grief, and that We mourn
| with the sense OF personal bereavement tn
loss OF one who was so richly endowed witt
the noblest qualities of head and heart.
Second-That we recognized In Commis
sioner Twining an officer of rare ability, VIII
discharged the duties OF his high position
with such fidelity, intelligence and skill as t
render his loss public calamity.
| Third-That We tender to the family OF tn
deceased our hearts best sympathies In thl
hour OF bereavement and sorrow.
Fourth-That as mark of our respect an
regard we VIII attend the funeral In body.
MIR. Riddles EuIOgy.
| Mr.. A. G. Riddle, attorney 10 the Commits
| sioners, addressed the meeting, and said tina
| he would have greatly regretted being absen
| The resolutions Just offered had eXpresse
The feelings OF all present as individuals. l
the death OF Major Twining he recognize
what loss all that knew him had sustained
He had not been honored by an intimat
| personal acquaintance with Major Twining
his acquaintance had been mostly official, bu
even he who stood outside the circle of war;
friends felt his loss as personal bereavc
ment. Major Twining was most loved an
honored as superior, esteemed and grieye
for by the employees of the Government whic
he represented, and represented so ably. Nj
Riddle concluded by saying that he wished Ii
could say more, and say more forcibly wht
he thought about Major Twining and h
noble work for the city and his fellow-men.
DR.. Tlndall and Mr.. Frank Loring ais
spoke briefly. ON motion Of Mr. John +. Coo
Inc following were appointed committee o
fnneral arrangements: Messrs. Ros. A. Fisi
william o. Roome, Thomas b. Entwistle, ID
smith Townshend, Joseph G. Rock, Jam,
campbell and j. Il. Ninson.
The committee held a preliminary meetin
aud adjourned to walt upon Lieutenan
Hoxie and Greene, after deputizing Willial
o. Roome and Joseph q. Rock to accompan
the remains 10 West Point.
The Commissioners Issued a notification
| colonel Webster, Adtutant-General of II
Militia, asking him 70 snotlfy tho militia
hold themselves in readiness TO attend tn
funeral as part OF the military escort. Co
| onel Webster then issued the proper order.
Nothing certain will be known about II
funeral arrangements until the arrival
Major Twinings brother tomorrow, but II
understood that the body Will be taken 10 5
Johns Church, where the funeral service
| Will bo performed.
The body.will be removed from the house
II a. m. on Monday, and from the church q
funeral VIII proceed 10 the depot, aud the I
mains will probably be removed at 80 p. 4
70 West Point, whore they Will be Inferred {
} | Wednesday at the National Military Cemeter
The escort TO the depot Will include Il
L militia. dnnnta1lon. from the Eira Dana rfnna