Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-03-24

An order was issued by the Secretary Of War
today, detaching Col. John NJ. Wilson. corps Of
engineers. from duty as superintendent Of the
Military Academy at West Point, N. Y, and
ordering him to duty at Washington. D. c.,
as superintendent Of public buildings and
grounds and also of the Washington monu-
ment, relieving Col. o. H. Ernst, corps of en-
gineers. who is ordered to duty as superintend-
ent of the Military Academy. This change was
predicted in The STAR several weeks ago. 1t
will take effect March 81 and will undoubtedly
be satisfactory to all persons concerned
Col. Wilson is very popular in Washington
and will be gladly welcomed back. Col. Ernst
has made an excellent record in this city and
will carry with him to his new post the best
wishes OF many friends.
LOCAL MEN FOR LOCAL OFFICES
This detail is in the nature of a recognition
of the principle OF local men for local Office as
Col Wilson is a native of Washington. He was
born here October 8. 1887. and has always re-
cadet at the Military Academy July !. 1885, and
was graduated July /. 1860. He served as second
lieutenant Of the second artillery during
the civil war and in June. 1862. was
brevetted captain for gallant and meritorious
services at the battle of Gaines Mill. Va. and
the following month was brevetted major for
gallant and meritorious service at the battle OF
Malvern Hill He became a Typographical
engineer July "a. 1861, sand was transferred to
the corps of engineers March 8. 1868. serving
with the Army of the Potomac in the battle of
South Mountain and Antietsm and the engage
ments around Harper's Ferry.
DETAILED AT WEST POINT.
He was detailed to duty at tine Military Acad-
emy March, 1868, as assistant professor of Span
..l. 4.
engineers. He was subsequently engaged in
the construction OF defenses at Baltimore,
Memphis. Vicksburg and Natchez, during a
portion of the time serving assistant in
spector general of the division of west Mis-
sissippi. In March, 1865. he brevetted
colonel. United States volunteers. for faithful
ana meritorious services during the campaign
against the city of Mobile and its defenses. and
was successfully brevetted lieutenant colonel
and colonel Z. S. army. for gallant conduct at
the capture Of the Spanish fort apd Fort Blake
ley, Ala.
HIS SERVICE SINCE THE wAB.
After the close of the war he had charge of
engineering works at New Orleans, jefferson
barracks, Forts Ontario and Niagara, harbors
on Lake Ontario and st. Lawrence river. sur
veys for portion OF the northern transportation
route from the great lakes to tide water. Dur
ing this time he reached the rank of major,
October, 1878, he had charge of river and
| harbor improvements in Washington and Ore
gon; from 1873 to 1882 he was on duty on the
lakes and vicinity. In October. 1882. he was
transferred to Washington city assistant
to the chief of engineers and remained on that
duty until June /, 1885. when he was appointed
superintendent of public buildings and grounds
! with the rank of colonel.
AS SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC GROUNDS
While on that duty he also superintended the
improvements over the grave Of Thomas Jeffer.
son at Monticello; the erection of a monument
to mark the birthplace of George Washington:
| the erection Of the Garfield statue: the con-
strnction of the army and navy museum build
ing; the monument at Washington's head
quarters, Newburgh. n. Y; memorial tablets at
Gettysburg, Pa; devlsing a system of under
ground electric communication between gov
ernment offices at Washington, d. c.; the COM
pletion Of Washington monument; increasing
the water supply of Washington and erecting
relieved of his duties at Washington d. c.. BY
Col. o. H. Ernst August l, 1889, and was given
the complimentary assignment of superinten-
dent Of the Military Academy.
COL. ERNsr's OTHER DUTIES
Col Ernst, in addition to his duties as super
intendent of public buildings and grounds
and in charge of the Washington monument. is
a member Of the Mississippi river commission,
the Missouri river commission and the light
house board. Col. Wilson NAV succeed to
some of these duties, especially that with the
light house board. Col. Ernst may be re-
tanned on the two important river commits
sions, but the matter is as yet unsettled.