New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-10-24
OBITUARY.
MAJOR.GEyERAL THOMAS T. cRITTENDEN

MAJORGENERAL THOMAS l., CRll ENDEN.
General Thomas Ieonidas Crittenden. who died
on Staten Island yesterday morning, was born IN
Russelville. Ky. May Is 1919. He was the second
son of Senator John j. Crittenden. OF Kentucky.
lie studied law, and In 1872 was elected common
wealth's attorney of Kentucky -Four years later,
when the Mexican War was well under way MS
cousin General Zachary Taylor invited him to JOIN
the United States Army. which was then invading
Northern Mexico: Crittenden accepted, and hurried
to Matamoras, only to find that the Army had ad-
vanced to Monterey. At Matamoras he met Jer-
erson Davis then a Colonel in the United States
Army, and with him alone proceeded to Monterey
over an exceedingly dangerous country for so small
party The trip made without accident now
ever. Mr.. Crittenden took part in several small
skirmishes previous to the battle of Buena Vista
At the close of the first days fighting In that en-
gagement certain Mexican troops had been driven
back and were retreating under fire of the Ameri-
can guns General Taylor called Crittenden. VINO
was serving as ade-de-camp, and sent him 10
these troops to demand their surrender. Instead
of surrenderng. however, they took Crttenden
prisoner and retreated through a narrow canyon.
bringing him before General Santa Anna, COM
mandng the Mexican troops Crittenden explained
his business now too late to be of any importance
Santa Anna replied go back to General Tayior
and say demand his surrender. i have MIN sur
rounded by $1,000 troops and he cannot escape
Il will deliver your message. sir replied Crit
tenden, "but-Gonera Taylor never surrenders'
lie was escorted back to the American camp and
told his message Taylor smiled grimy. said he
had % 900 men. did he?" he asked "Cmph! lie
won't have many tomorrow"
The next day the American troops won great
victory. and few days later General Taylor sent
nd h special and %
This before the days OF extended railroads.
and telegraph lines, and wnen Crittehqem reach ba
brought the first detini tie news Of the war. After
delivering his dispatches to the Government he
The next year he went again to Mexico as
which formed part Of General SCOTS army, then
fighting around the city of Mexico. He was mus,
consul at liverpool by General Taylor. who had
never forgotten his defiance of Santa Anna
When the Civil War broke out Crittenden es-
poused the Union cause. and appointed Brga-
dier-General Of Volunteers October q, 1851 lie
eral for gaantry on that occasion He received com
nessee which constituted the left wing OF General
Buelrs army. He took part in the battle or stone
p ts s. army at the battle Of Chicamauga
General Crttenden was later placed in command
ginia campaign of lGi on December IL, 1Si on
account Of certain criticisms. he resigned, and for
sian Of General Williams When the Army was
disbanded he was appointed Colonel of the S2d
M trIed to 'n he ih infantry T. On March
1861. he was brevetted IirsaderGeneral 20, ,S gsi .
antry at the bdttie OF stone iNlSti i" i9'V
only son Lieutenant John J. Crittenden. who had
Just been graduated from West Point, accompanied
General Custer his Inflated expedition, ana was
killed with him. General crittenden was trans,
ferred to Governors Isl and shortly afterward ana
lived there until 1851. when he retired from service
On account Of age. He had since lived at MS
country place at Annadae. staten Island.
Six weeks ago he had n paralytic stroke ana
sank steadily until he died yesterday morning. He
member of the Virginia Chapter OF ,ne ord 1e
Of the Cincinnati inheriting through his elder
brother his father and his grandfather, Major John
Crittenlen OF the Revolutionary army, the Original
member. He also a member OF the Aztec luD.
composed OF officers who served in the Mexican
War. , AZ,
When twenty-four years ola he married MISS
Katherine Todd, OF Kentucky who survives him
lie leaves no children. ike many SOLDIERS VINO
have served their country long and faithfully Gen
eral Crittenen had nothing but his pay. ana leaves
his widow in Sc newhat stratcned circumstances