Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-07-04
THE NEW ApyurANr GENERAL.
Gel. Robert Williams Has Been Selected to
sGcceed Gen. Kelton.

Ccl. Robert Williams Has Been Selected to
sGcceed Gen. Kelton.
Col. Robert Williams. U.S.A., has been Sc
ieeted by the President for appointment a. ad-
jutant general of the army, vice Gen. Keiton,
retired.
Col Williams was born in Culpeper county,
Va, November 6, 1929, and comes from family
Of soldiers. His grandfather, Jas. Williams,
served in the Virginia line in tho revolutionary
war and also in command of Virginia troops in
the war of 1914.
HIS ARMY SERVICES.
Col. Williams graduated from the West Point
Military Academy m 1854 and assigned to the
first United States dragons. His first service
was at Carlisle barracks. PENNSYLVANIA. He
served there till the summer of 1852. when
he was ordered to Governors Island to take the
recruits to Cape Horn. In November following
he went to California and served on the Pacific
coast at Port Oxford During 1853 he was en-
gagged In operations against the Indians. He
was next ordered to New Mexico, having been
promoted to second lieutenant. troop H, first
dragons. On the way from San Francisco his
vessel was wrecked ON Anna Kappa Island. off
santa Ba, bara, In January, 1854. 1t was eight
days before the dragons were rescued and
taken to New York. He was then ordered to
West Point, where he remained till the June
LNAo"inS- Wnen ne WAS tfansIefreO 10 Fort
Leavenworth, whence he marched to New Mex
leo, reaching there in the latter part of August.
He remained in New Mexico about two years.
participating in frequent engagements against
Cayute and Apache Indiana. During 1855 Col.
Williams was promoted to first lieutenant and
assigned to troOpI. In the autumn of Sc he
marched with portion OF the regiment through
Arizona. reaching Fort Fejon about the middle
of December. In May. 1857, he was ordered to
proceed north with his troops and marched
from Fort Fejon to Walla Walla, reaching the
latter point about the middle of August, 1857.
Williams rode one horse 1000 miles. He re-
NAMED at Walla Walla till November, when he
was ordered to West Point as instructor in
tactics.
IN THE WAR OF THE REBELLION.
Here he remained until the opening of the
rebellion. In May, 1851 he was appointed in
the adjutant generals department with the rank
of brevet captain. From West Point he was
ordered to the War Department and then to
Baltimore for duty as assistant adjutant gen.
eral with Gen. Banks. He was at Harper's
Ferry with Gen. Banks, and remained there till
October, when'he was commissioned colonel of
the first Massachusetts cavalry. He organized
this regiment at Reedville, and after the or
garization was ordered to Hilton Head, S. c.
This regiment represented some of the best
men of the bay state.
Col Nlllmms was engaged IN operations AT
Hilton Head in the attack on Secessionville and
James Island. In July his regiment was ordered
north, and he reported for duty to Gen. Nc
Clellan at Fort Monroe. He took part in all the
engagements during the first invasion of Mary
land, participating in the battle of South Noun
tain, Antietam and various skirmishes.
In October, 1862. he resigned his commission
as colonel of the first Massachusetts regiment
and was assigned to duty in the War Depart
ment. where he served till the end Of 1869,
when he was ordered to report to Gen. Candy
at Richmond. He was granted leave of absence
till March, 1868, when he reported for duty to
Gen. Pope at Fort Leavenworth. He served
here till 1870, when he reported for duty to
Gen. Cook at Omaha. Here he served till Octo-
Der, 1884, when he was ordered to Chicago and
reported to Gen. Sheridan. From there he was
ordered to the War Department, when he was
promoted to major and assistant adjutant
general.
Col. Williams married the widow of Stephen
A. Douglas, one Of the most beautiful and
brilliant women of Washington. She was the
daughter CT James Madison Cults of this city.
formerly second controller Of the treasury. and
at the time Of her marriage was leader in the
society of the national capital. Mrs. Williams
has many friends here who will be glad if che
shall resume her former social prominence