Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-02-11
DEATH OF GENERAL HUNT.
The Governor Of the Soldiers Home
A Victim Of Heart Failure.

Gen. Hunt, the governor of the Soldiers
Home in this city, died at 1890 this morning
OF heart failure at his residence in the grounds
of that institution. He has been critically I'LL
for several weeks, and the news of his death
was not surprise, though it shocked those
VINO knew him. There was probably no officer
In the United States army who was more popu-
lar with both officers and men than Gen. Hunt;
ne wasregarded as one of the most brilliant
soldiers OF the day. and his record during the
Mexican war and the rebellion entitled him, in
the opinion of foreign military men, as well as
those OF our own country, to the first rank
among artillerists.
WHAT HIS COMRADES SAT- OF HIM.
There is scarcely an officer on duty at the
War department but who, in speaking this
morning Of Gen. Hunts death, said that he
was one Of the bravest, truest soldiers this
country ever knew. His title of general was
won during the rebellion, but he was actually
colonel on the retired list.
If man ever won his stars" said an officer
THIS morning, lit was Henry ]. Hunt and he
never got them. A bill was passed by Con-
gress after his retirement to raise him to the
rank OF major-general, but President Arthur
vetoed 1t. This was undoubtedly done in order
that his record might be consistent. in view of
his veto OF the Fitz-John Porter BILL for there
was absolutely nothing against Hunt. Con-
gress ought to give his widow handsome pen
sion. for she will be left in poor circumstances
Hunt had nothing but his retired coloners pay;
the governorship of the Home brought moth
ing beyond the house he occupied. He has an
insurance of $4,000 in Officers Mutual Aid as
ISOLATION but that is ALL"
Mrs. Hunts family have also been famous in
military way. Her father, Col. Craig, won
distinction with his brother during the Mexi-
can war, and her three brothers lost their lives
during the rebellion.
SKETCH OF HIS CAREER.
Gen. Henry NJ. Hunt, during his activity, at
tanned the reputation of one of the most skillful
artillerists of the world, that branch of mill
tary science being, in the words of his fellow
officers, Hunts hobby" At the same time he
was one OF the most popular and best-beloved
officers of the service. He was born Septem-
Der IA, 1919, in Michigan, and was appointed to
the Military academy from Ohio September /,
1885. He graduated in 1889, number 10, in
class containing number of men who afterward
attained reputation in the service of the United
States Among them were Gen. Isaac l. Stevens
who was killed at Chantilly, the head of the
class; Henry W. Halleck, at one time COM
mander-in-chief of the federal armies during
the rebellion; Alexander r. Lawton, the pres
ent minister to Austria from this country; Gen.
James. B. Ricketts,, whose war record is one of
the most brilliant, and Gems. Edward o. G. Ord
and Edward r. s. Candy. Cadet Hunt was
assigned second lieutenant in the
second artillery, July 1, 1889, and was made
first lieutenant six years later, when the Mexi-
can was broke out. 1t was in this struggle
that Hunt developed his talent as an artillerist,
serving in one of the most famous batteries of
the army. He was twice wounded at Molino-
delRey. Promotion was rapid, and Major
Hunt was made brigadier-general of volun-
teers in September. 1862. He was chief of
artillery of the army of the Potomac during the
sharp fighting an the eastern part of the country
and at the battle OF Gettysburg, renowned as
perhaps the heaviest artillery contest in the
worlds history, Gen. Hunt took a foremost
part For his valuable service in this battle he
was made brevet jor-general of volunteers
July 8, 1864. He received two more brevets,
one for services during the last campaign
against Lee and the other fer general meri-
torious services during the war, before he was
mustered out of the volunteer service in April,
1866.
In April, 1869, he was promoted TO be col
onel OF the fifth artillery, which post lie held
until his retirement, September IA. 1888, hay
ing then reached the age of sixty-four years.
His last active duty was in command of the
department of the south, with headquarters ct
Newport barracks. Ky
On May Is, 1885, Gen. Hunt assumed the
duties OF the governorship of the Soldiers
home in this city, having been appointed to
that position by President Cleveland the month
previous.