Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1895-05-15
4 RRIGADIER-GENERAL
Nelc Title Of Col. Wns. z. CrGghiH--to De
at the Head of the Engineer Corps Of
The Army--His Career--A Promotion
Deserved Uy Merit.

DeSeCcQ Oy Merit
WASHINGTON, May l0.-Col. VIM. +
Craighill, a Virginian by birth, and one OF
the most distinguished army engineers, was
to-day advanced by the President to the
head of his corps to succeed to the vacancy
created BY the enforced retirement Of Cen
eral Casey. Colonel Craighill thus becomes
q brigadier-general, which rank he will re-
tain init his retirement from active service
on July /, 1897. Colonel C~raighilFs selec'
ton was a foregone conclusion until within
the last few days, when the friends OF COL
Abbott aud Col. Mendell made most strenu-
Gus efforts to secure their appointments on
the ground of conspicuous service and DIS
~tinction attained by both during the late
war. Secretary Lamont has all along been
the friend of Colonel Craighill, and 1t was
his endorsement that secured the promotion.
Colonel Craighill besides was backed prac-
tically by every officer of his corps, and
MANY members Of the other branches OF the
army desired his advancement. 10 making
the appointment the President adhered to
his well-defued policy of appointing those
officers to heads of corps only who have
some years of active service before them and
of not simply advancing those who, because
of their seniority, claim the right to promo
ton. While Colonel Craighill is junior to
two officers Of his corps, both of those ahead
of him %relinquish active duty this summer,
and neither, had both been appointed, would
have exercised the duties of chief of engi-
neers longer than to become familiar with
the Office. This morning the selection Of
Colonel Craighill was considered at the cab
met meeting, and on its adjournment it was
announced that he would be General Casey's
successor.
The new chief of engineers was born in
Charles Town, Virginia, and entered the
United States Military Academy from that
State July !, lS49, was graduated July /,
1853, being number two in a class Of fifty
two. He was appointed brevet second lieu
tenant of engineers same date aud was sue
c~essiyely promoted through all intermediate
grades to colonel Of engineers January 10,
1887.
From date OF original appointment to
April /, 1856, he was engaged in engineering
duties on the defense on the Atlantic coast,
aud subsequently in the Office Of the chief
OF engineers to August, 1859, when he was
assigned to duty as assistant professor Of en-
cheering at the Military Academy in which
capacity he served until June, 1863, except
ing between June % and September II,
1862, during which period he was absent in
the field as engineer Of General MOrgGn's
Division, Army Of Ohio, and engaged in the
defense of Cumberland Gap, Tenn.
From June 10 to August l, 1863, he serv-
ed as chief engineer, Department of the Mo-
n~ongahela, and was brevet lieutenant col
onel, United States Army, to date March 10,
1868, for faithful and meritorious service
during the war, and particularly for his ser
vice for the defense OF Cumberland Gap and
and the Interior operations Of General Nor
gan's forces.
After a short tour Of duty in Washington
in 1863, he was engaged in the construction
of the defense of Baltimore from September
1868, to June, 1864, including service as
chief engineer, Middle Department from
April to June, 1864, and again served as as
sis,ant professor Of engineering at the Acad'
envy to August 81, 1864. His subsequent
services to the present time were principally
on defensive works for the harbors Of San
Francisco, New York and Baltimore and
the mouth Of the Chesapeake, as well a;
other professional duties On engineer work
and engineer boards, embracing construction
and inspection. His principal engineering
works were TIE improvement Of the Great
Kanawha and the harbor Of Baltimore.
The object of the Kanawha river improve
ment was to give a depth not less than six
feet all the year round throughout the whole
river, ninety six miles in length, by means
of locks aud dams. The improvement cost
about s4,97l ,2l6 and served to open the mar
kets of the world to the coal Of Kanawhs
Valley. Colonel Craighill improved the
harbor Of Baltimore by dredging, so as tC
permit the heaviest ships to come to and
! leave the city wharves with full loads
Heretofore the vessels were in part loaded
by the use Of lighters twenty miles below
the city. The project required an increase
OF depth from seventeen feet, which nature
gave, at mean low water to twenty-sever
feet. The improvement cost 81 300, GOO ant
has been Of vast benefit to Baltimore anC
vicinity.
Ia 1889 he served as a member Of the
lighthouse board. He is now 10 charge o.
river and harbor improvements in Maryland
Virginia, West Virginia aud Delaware, with
headquarters at Baltimore. He is an author
OF note, among his literary works being I
compilation of"Army Officers Pocket Com
panion," 4 translation Of Dufour's "Cour;
de Tactique," q translation Of Jomini'i
"Precis de Pare de Guerre." He was &
deputy to the general convention of the
Protestant Episcopal Church in 1880
1883 and 1886. He is a member Of the
American Association for the Advancement