The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1891-09-03
THEIR DISTINGUISHED COMPANION.
the Loyal Legion Acts Upon the
Death Of hannibal Han,lln.
an Eloquent EuloRy Pronounced BY
Hon. Thomas 3. Reed.
The Commanders Tribute to tho
Late General George Thorn.

The Maine Commandery Of the Military
Order Of the Loyal Legion held its regular
stated meeting at the Falmouth Hotel last
evening. In the absence Of Commander
Hyde, Gen. Geo. l.. Beal presided. There
was a large attendance Of members.
AT the business meeting at p. m. the an
nouncement was made Of the companions
elected In May last, whose names have al
ready been printed. A long list OF additions
to the library was announced from Compan-
ions I. b. Reed, Mrs. Lot NJ. Merrill, Army
OF the Cumberland Society, Illinois Com
mandery, Kansas Commandery, Companion
Burrage, Companion I. S. Bangs. Michigan
Commandery, and by purchase.
The Memorials.
The committee appointed to prepare a me-
mortal to the late companion, Gen. Geo
Thorn, reported as follows:
By the death Of General George Thorn. the
COmmandery Of Maine Is deprived OF one OF
It's Oldest and most respected members and
this state OF citizen whose name Is identl-
ned with its public works by many years Of
valuable service.
Companion George Thom was born In
Derry, New Hampshire. February 2l, 1919,
graduated at the u. s. Military Academy
and was assigned TO duty as Second Lieuten-
ant In the Corps Of Typographical Engineers
IN lS59, tribute to his scholarship and Ca
pacity. 10 1868 he was transferred TO the
Corps OF Engineers, In which be served until
retired from active service In 1885, at his own
request, after nearly fOrty-four years SER
vice. de died at Washington, ID. c., June
~, 1891. His duties were long, varied aud
extensive. embracing explorations on our
boundaries, the Mexican aud the civil wars.
From 1861 to 1864 be filed important and cor
ndentlal positions on the stan OF Gen. Hal
leck, was at the siege OF COrinth and at Cedar
Creek, was chief engineer Of the Military
Division Of the james and served on numer-
GUS boards In connection with h0tiIlas,
bl0ckhouses, 81 stems OF telegraphy and the
defenses OF ST. Louis and Baltimore. At the
close oil the civil war he came to Portland
and Tor nearly eighteen years had charge Of
the construction OF public works on the coast
OF Maine and the improvement Of rivers and
harbOrs In Maine, New Hampshire and part
OF Massachusetts. In the language Of the
chief engineer Of the army, his work was
well done and commanded the approval OF
his superiors.
For his services he received the brevets OF
Lieutenant Colonel, Colonel and Brlgadier
General; was appointed Colonel and addi-
tional Aide-de- Camp during the civil war;
and subsequently, rose through the grades OF
Major, Lieutenant Colonel and Colonel In
the Corps Of Engineers. lie gained the re-
spect OF the people Of this state and was en-
deared to the society Of Portland.
companion lnOm was representative OF
class OF officers not less valuable TO the
public service for their faithful discharge OF
duty than for their example Of that strict IL
tegrity which gives distinction to American
character. Charged with dlsbursing i'm
mense sums OF public money, with oversee
ing the performance OF large contracts and
with the thorough and faithful construction
OF great works, these officers set standard
Of principle and honor OF Infinite worth to
the community, For eighteen years Com
panlon Thorn lived among us, performing
these duties aud furnishing this example.
FRANCIS FEssENDEN,
EDWARD MOORE,
-. n