Omaha daily bee., 1888-04-16

of engineers, and for three years served
as an assistant engineer in the building
OF Forts Monroe and Calhoun for the
defence OF Hampton Roads. He was
now promoted TO a second lieutenancy
in the corps OF engineers, and in 1852
he was made assistant instructor in
practical military engineering ut tho
West Point academy, in which position
he served until September 10, 1855.
In July, 1856, General Gilmore was
promoted to a first lieutenancy and held
that rank in the army registers until
1861. In the interim he had served as
treasurer at West Point and as quarter
master, had been in charge OF the engi-
neer agency IN this city for supplying
and shipping materials for fortiica-
tions, etc, and was also in charge of the
Notifications in the harbor.
When the war of the rebellion broke
General Gilmore was acting as assistant
to Major General Barnard in the con-
struction of the fort at Sandy Hook. In
August, 1851, he was promoted TO a cap
taincy in his corps, and as chief of en-
gineers accompanied the Port Royal
EXpeditionary corps on the staff OF
General Thomas w. Sherman in Octo-
Der, 1861. He took a prominent part in
the operations moon Hilton Head, S. c.,
on November 7, 1861 and after the re-
duction of the place he rebuilt and
strengthened the forts and superin-
tended the erection Of new Notifications
ut that point.
He acted as one of the commissioners
in the arrangement of the terms of ca
pitulation of the place, and on April II,
1862, he received the reward Of his mer-
itorious service IN the shape of a pro-
motion to be brevet lieutenant colonel.
Ill health forced General Gilmore to
EN ~ 1~a,N al H. -
operations, and it was not until the fol-
lowing August that he resumed active
duty again. He was not thoroughly re-
covered at that time, but his restless
spirit chafed against the restraint OF ILL
ness. and despite his physicians advice
to the contrary, reported for duty.
Having been promoted to be brigadier
general of United States volunteers, he
spent a month assisting the governor of
this state to organize sixty regiments Of
state troops and forward them to the
front.
From September 1S to September %.
1862, General Gilmore was in command
of the division that operated from Gov
ington, KY, and from the latter date
until October IA, 1862, directed the OPP
CREATIONS OF the division of Western
Virginia. Next he commanded the
first division of the army of Kentucky,
and later the division of Central Ken
lucky. 1t was while thus engaged that
on March 80, 1868, he administered a
crushing defeat to General Peagram in
the battle of Somerset. For this ex-
plot he was breveted colonel, and lin
the following June, on his return to
duty after after another absence on sick
leave, he was given command of the de-
partment of the south, comprising all
territory occupied by union troops on
the coasts South Carolina, Georgia,
inc Florida.
In July of the same year he was given
command of the Tenth aamy corps, and
directed the memorable operations
against Charleston, s. G. These opera
Island on July 10, a brilliant achieve
ment, for which he was breveted brig
adler general; the bombardment and
reduction Of Fort Sumter; the siege
and capitulation of Fort Wagner and
Battey Gregg. These operations were
characterized ty marked skill and bold
ness, and resulted in his promotion as
major general of volunteers.
During the pursuit of the rebels
under General Early in July, 1864, Cen
eral Gilmore vas severelr injured by
the falling of his horse, and was absent
on sick leave for a month. Then he
acted as president OF a commission for
the testing of heavy iron cannon, went
on a tour of inspection of the fortifca-
tions from Cairo, ILL.,, to Pensacola, Fla,
and was again in command of the De-
partment of the South from February
9 to November II, 1865. Meanwhile he
had been brevetted bragadier general
for his services in connection with the
capture of Fort Wagner and major en-
eral for his services in the assault ont
Morris Island and the bombardment and
demolition of Fort Sumter.
In December, 1865, he resigned his
commission as major general of voluu-
teers and returned to service in the en-
gineer bureau at Washington, being
subsequently appointed engineer-in-
chief of all the Notifications and river
and harbOr improvements on the At
lantic coast south of New York. He
was made major in June, 1868, lieuten-
ant colonel in 1874 and colonel on Feb
ruary 20, 1914. He was president of the
Mississippi river commission and of
several boards for important river and
harbor improvements and as one of the
judges at the centennial exposition in
1876, he made interesting reports on
Portland, Roman and other Artificial
Stones and Cements," and on Brick
hacking Machinery, Brick Kilns, Per-
forated and Enamelled Bricks and
Pavements." He wrote a number of
works, among them being, ''The Siege
and Reduction of Fort Pulaski - Lines,
Hydraulic Clements and Mortars, y EN-
cheering and Artillery Operations
Against Charleston in 1861 "BeltOn.
Coignet and other Artificial Stones"
THE Strength of the Building Stone of
the United States" and Roads, Streets
and Pavements."
Oberlin college. Ohio, conferred upon
him the degree of master OF arts, and
Rutgers college that of doctor of philos-
ophy.
General Gilmore was at one time
president of the Kings county 'L'road.
He was married twice. Four sons by
his first wife survive him.
A telegraph message has been sent to
Fort Clark, Tex, and arrangements
for the funeral will not be made until
| he is heard from,