Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-10-24
COL. HAMS RELIEVED.


| COL. HAMS RELIEVED.
l
Orde red to Portland, Me-, and VIII BE Sue
essded by MAJ. OvcrsnaA
THE UNHAPPY COURSE or ms sox FORCED Hnf
TO APPLY fon CHANGE or srArfoS--A LET
rxR YHoN YOUNG HArSs TO rHH SECRETARY
OF wAn-orHER ESarNEKR ooRPs CHANGES.
The Secretary Of War has Just given direc-
lions for an extensive shifting among the
eficers Of the engineer corps Of the army, and
among the transfers is one that interests WASH
ington to . considerable degree. Lieutenant
Colonel Peter @. Hams, for several years the
engineer in charge Of the river improvement
and bridge construction work in the vicinity Of
this city, is relieved from duty and sent to take
charge Of the harbor Of Portland. Ne.
His work here will b taken by Maj. Lewis
@. Overman, now engineer Of the tenth light
house district. stationed at Cleveland, Ohio.
This change 10 somewhat Of . surprise here,
as it was thought that Col Hams would be per-
mitted to remain long enough to complete the
work Of reclaiming the Potomac fats that has
been 20 successfully and we'll begun and par
tally performed by him. This work has been
thoroughly appreciated by the citizens of tho
District, with whom Col. Hains has been ex-
ceptionally popular.
COL. HAMS SUCCESSOR.
Maj. Overman, who comes to relieve him, is
an officer who has as yet had little opportunity
to achieve distinction, yet his friends here say
that he is we'll qualified for the post. The fol-
lowing brief facts are obtained from the regis
ter of officers at the War Department.:
Maj Lewis G. overman 10 q native Of Phila-
delphia. but was appointed at large to the Mill
tary Academy in 1861, graduating in 1865 in
the same class with Nal. Raymond, recently
the Engineer Commissioner Of the District
Raymond ranked frat in his class and Over
man second.
The latter was made q first lieutenant Of
engineers June %, 1865, and for two years
served with the engineer battalion at Willetts
Point. NY, receiving his promotion to be
captain in June, 1867. Since then he has served
a. assistant engineer and engineer in charge Of
various works throughout the country.
RELIEvED AT HIS OWN REQUEST.
1t is understood that Col Hains asked Sec.
Rotary Proctor that he might be relieved from
further duty in Washington. and that his relief
is thus in no wise o reelection upon him or his
work. This 10 one Of the results of the unfor-
tunate affair that involved the Hams family
last summer, eliminating in the trial OF the
son Thornton for murder and his acquittal
It was matter of some doubt after the trial
a. to just what attitude the army society Of
Some OF the officers merely held aloof, while
others continued their relations with the colonel
and his wife as before, but refused to recognize
the son in any way. There was no 0stracism
or unfriendliness, merely desire on the part
OF the army community to express disappro-
baton OF the continued presence of the son in
this vicinity.
IAN might have gone WELL" said one who il
well informed on the subject, chad it not been
for the position taken by Mrs. Hams. She in
sisted upon following the acquittal of her son
with an effort to accomplish his complete re-
establishment in society, and she gradually
alienated all of the sympathetic ladies who
called on her TO- share their appreciation Of the
state of things"
A single incident is related apropos Of the
situation. lady, the wife of an army officer,
called on Mrs. Hains suon after the return of
the family and was disposed TO be cordial until
her hostess cent upstairs for her son, called him
into the parlor and insis.ed upon introducing
MIN to her caller The latter refused to rec
ogniZe his presence and upon the insistence of
Mrs Hams she absolutely refused to know
him.
This led to dramatic scene Of excitement,
and on its becoming known among the army
folks caused a gradual discontinuance OF the
hitherto pleasant relations with the Hams
family.
AN rNsoLESr LITTER TO THE SECRETARY.
short time ago a letter was received by
the Secretary Of War from Thornton Hams.
insoient and threatening in its character. The
writer said that since his trial and Acquittal
there had been systematic course Of ostra-
cism and insulting sights toward his father
Of army officers on account of he
Fort Monroe affair, and he proposed that it
should be stopped. He demanded that the Sec
Rotary take proper steps TO put an end to this
persecution, and, he added, if nothing were
done officially he would take the matter into
his own hands AID put an end to it himself
The Secretary, it is said. laid this communi-
cation before the President at once, urging that
steps be taken to prevent any trouble being
made by young Hams. Mr.. Drummond, the
chief Of the secret service Of the treasury, was
summoned and he was instructed to have the
young man carefully watched. Accordingly an
agent of that bureau was stationed near the
house and Thornton Hams was diligently
Swallowed.
It Is understood that this led to humorous
complication. The chief Of police getting
wind Of the matter and not understanding it,
set one Of his men at work to watch the de-
tective.
THE COLONEL SHOCKED.
Soon after the talk at the White House the
Secretary Of War summoned Col. Hains to
him and showed him his sons letter. The Off
Ger was shocked and grieved when he realized
his sons folly He assured the Secretary that
edge, and ne added that he had been forced to
the melancholy conclusion that his son was in
sane.
He had done all in his power to restrain him
and had taken steps to have him leave the
country. He then asked to be relieved from
further duty in Washington in order that he
might get away from the scenes that had be-
come SO terribly significant to him. The Secre-
tary, 1t is said, told Col. Hains that he had
the highest regard for him and would accede
to his request.
Young Hams, ii Is understood has gone to
South America. His brother, Lieut.. John p
Hams, third artillery, has, at his own request
been transferred from tho Washington barracks
to Fort McHenry, Baltimore, and thus in q
short time the entire family win have removed
from Warrington.
OTHER ENoINEER oFFIcERs CHANGED.
The following orders to officers Of the en-
gineer corps have been issued: Capt VIM. H.
Bixby, relieved from station at Wilmington, N
c., and will turn over his works to the
temporary charge Of First Lieut.. Mason H.
Patrick. He will proceed to and take station at
Newport, RI, relieving Maj. VIM. r. Liver
more Of the works in his charge. Maj VIM. 8.
Stanton, upon being relieved from duty at Bos.
ton, Mass. by Maj. Livermore, will proceed to
and take station at Wilmington, NC, and as
sumo charge Of the works under the
temporary charge Of First Lieut.. Patrick.