The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1893-08-17

A
| Commodore G.. w. Melville U. 4 n. who was
chosen TO preside at the Congress of Engineering
which opened in Chicago July 81, was born 10
New York City, Jan. 10, 1911. In 1861 he was ap-
pointed Assistant Engineer in the Navy, where he
made an excellent record. He was chosen a. En-.
gineer of the Tigress in the Hall Relief Arctic
Expedition and afierward Chief Engineer OF tbs
Jeanette. aud his exploits in the escape Of her
crew from the cs-paek by the way Of Siberia have
given him undying fame in the annals Of Arctic
enterprise.
remarkable woman who hiss made a fortune
by her own efforts is Ruth Brown Thompson, the
oldest daughter OF John Brown OF Harper's Ferry
fame. She Is now 20 years Of age though In ap.
peHrsnce much younger. as her reddish-brown
hair shows comparatively little gray. She lives
on a ranch near Pasadena Cal She always wears
simple black gown, with showing Of white
about the throat. and white null cap with frills
OF lace on her head. or recent years her vigorous
constitution has been somewhat impaired by nerv-
Gus trouble.
Gen. Fitz-John Porter recently appointed
Cashier at the New York Posioffics. at a salary Of
5000 year Gen. Porter was born in Portsmouth
N H.. ia IS22 being the son of Commander John
Porter, Of the Navy. In 1915 he was assigned to
the 4th Art. of which he became Second Iieu-
tenant In 1886 He served In the Mexican war in
which he earned several promotions for bravery
When the civil war began he was made Colonel Of
the 18th Inf and later Brigadier General Of voIun-
teers. On July f. 1s62, he became Major General Of
Volunteers. On Aug. % 1852 at the second battle
OF Bull Run, he was ordered to advance with his
troops He did not do so. although the NEXT day
his men were in the fighting. Tire following Jan-
uary he was cashiered by court-martial and dis
qualified from holding Office under the Govern
ment- President Hayes revoked the second part
OF the finding. and President Cleveland signed
bill for the reliefof Gen Porter. who was reInsated
IN the Army with the rank OF Colonel. In 1869 the
Khedive of Egypt offered Gen. Porter command
OF his army. with the rank Of MajOr-GeneraI. bus
Gen. Porter declined the place.
On Old Soldiers Day at the Rock River Assem-
bly,, Dixon. H.. Gen. Green B. RaunI, ex-Com-
missioner of Pensions was the principal orator
and ATTRACTIONS, and he succeeded in drawing a
great many GAR people out. His address was
principally characterized by defense Of his adj
ministratiOn of the Pension Office and an attack
upon Secretary Hoke Smiths rulings He said
that while he was Commissioner the pension laws
had been interpreted to mean that the people OK
the country wanted to treat its old soldiers Iber.
ally, and he acted in accordance. But now the
era OF reform has set in. The soldiers must re-
member that during the war there were two
parties one in favor Of putting down the rebellion
and one not in favor Of it, The latter happen juss
now to be in power.
When the late Gen. John C. Kelton for many
years Acknowledgement Of the Army, and after his
retirement Governor of the Soldiers Hons az
Washington died, he left letter In which he ex-
pressed the wish that he be buried In the National
Cemetery. the Home in q common coffin
such as made for the inmates covered with COM
mon black serge, and that the Home hearse Do
used. His wishes were carried out. and the hero
of two wars was laid away in . common pima
ha
Gran at the Home There was no music but q
simple military funeral with taps" lights out"
from the buger at the open grave tell the story
of his burial.
In a letter to Mrs. Thomas l. Sullivan as Chair.
man Of the Ladies' Reception Committee, Mrs.
Eleanor Ransom writes from Los Angeles Cal
that IL is her purpose to visit the Encampment If
her physical condition will permit her to undergo
the fatigue of travel. Mrs. Ransom is 70 years OF
age, snd was one of a company of p Army Nurses
who left in FEBRUARY. 1858, to goSouth. She met
with an accident some weeks ago, disiocating her
left wrist and breaking the=arm. She is deIegats
to the National Conventions Of the W. T. c. u. az
Chicago, and alternate to the Convention OF the
W.RC at Indianapolis. She left Indiana in 1876
for California
The Pittsburg papers have been interviewing
COmrade Thomas Sample. Commander OF the De-
partment of Pennsylvania, and have gotten from
him some red-hot opinions about the pension situa-
ton.
AT Bristol, R. L. there Is cottage of brown stone
and brick, erected as memorial to Gen. Burnside,
which is the objective point of the journey of many
a war veteran who holds the former Commander Of
the Army of the Potomac in loved and honored re-
membTance.
eomFade signing himself J. II. II. sends US a
clipping which says that the flagstaff upon which
the first Secession flag was hoisted in South Caro-
lima when the State seeded in 1850 is still stand
ing. 1t is fastened with iron cuffs the gable-end
of an old schooihouse at Skull Shoals Postofice.
Maj. Edward P. Doherty. who lives in New York.
Is the officer who commanded the detachment Of
the 10th n. Y. Cav. that pursued, shot, and cap
tured j. Wilkes Booth in April. 1868. He is now
Commander of Veteran Post, 4S5 and is employed
at present inspector S. 900 600 paving Job
In his city.