The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-11-23

80 r,as the Youngest Colonel in the COM
mand he was appointed Provost Marshal
| General OF the State OF Virginia
| throughout the troubious times Of recon-
siruction he discharged the delicate du-
ties OF his position with such tact and
| ability that lie was confidently depended
| mon by his military superiors and at
| the same time gained the respect and es-
| tcem OF the people over whom he ruled.
His services we're deemed OF such value
| that both himself and his regiment were
| retained In the service until February,
| 1866. and were among the last volunteer
| troops mustered out In the state ne
was one of the youngest officers VINO al
! tanned biph rank during the war and GER
| tainly the youngest upon whom response
bilitles were thrust from which older OF
ncers shrank. After the mastering out
Of his regiment he was oncred an appoint
| ment in the regular army, with the RANK
| OF Major. but preferred to return to PHI
vate life.
LIFE IN RICHMOND.
From 1865 to 1871. a period OF twelve
| wears General Ordway made kichhohu
| his home. and such was his sterIng IN
| tegritv of character and tact that nc
made friends Of those who were sucn p"
short time before his deadly enchii .,
10 engaged in business here WIN inc
| buckingham Slate Company WHO" 0o'
Germ later on failed -.
During his residence in this city Gene
raI Ordwav married Miss Missouri Cod
| win. n beautiful Virginia girl whose
| family during the early months OF the
war came from Alexandria to Ricnmonu.
He was what might be termed 'he
| founder of Clay Ward. and it was through
| his efforts that Monroe Park when WIS
| the old Lee Camp Hospital was con-
yerted into the beautiful spot which
| adorns the West End. lie built ana for
years occupied the house now owned py
Major Charles X. Skinker, at sol west
| Franklin street.
In neace os well as in war General Ord
way took leading part in military mat
tiers. being captain OF the Sidney Grays.
an organization to which all the leading
Young men Of the city belonged. When
the regiment was organized in ls1 he
was elected Major and held that position
for six years. Among those who were
his brother officers at that time. now
leading citizens of Richmond. were Cen
eral Ohen captain Charles j. Anderson,
General A. l.. Phillips Colonel John b.
Purcell Captain J. ID. Whitehead now
deceased) and others.
FIRST BOARD OF ALDERMEN.
General Ordway had the honor Of being
one Of the representatives, Of Clay Ward
i'm Richmonds first Board Of Aldermen.
the initial meeting Of which was held
July ]. 1874. Judge John A. Meredith was
chosen president Mr.. +. c. Howard clerk.
and Mr.. Ben. T. August. the present city
Clerk. scrgeant-at-arms The compost
ton Of that body was as follows;
CLAY Ward-Messrs. Albert Ordway, j.
G.. Spaneenberg and Charles J.. Todd.
wi
John A. Meredith and Thomas w. Nc
Canoe.
jefferson Ward-Messrs. James c. Smith
and Christian thinner.
Monroe Ward-NIessrs. William r. Tan
ner. w. c. Darlington and John A.
Sloane
Marshall Ward-Messrs. W. p. NJ. Kel-
lam. William II. Williams and G. Il. Lips
comb.
Jackson Ward-Messrs. William H.
Scott. r. NJ. Manly, y. r. Nandevall, and
Richard Forester.
REMOVED TO WASHINGTON.
In 1917 General Ordway removed TO
Washington. which place he considered
his home up TO the time OF his death
Soon after going there he was selected
for the important task of de-
vising system for indexng the
Congressional Records General ord
way went 10 work on il and instituted
a system by which II was possible to find
any bill or resolution introduced. no mat
ter when or under what name il was in
troduced. lie also spent considerable time
In indeXing the debates of Congress since
It's beginning. All the systems inaueur-
ated by him are now I'm operation at the
capitol He took a great interest in the
military organization OF the District Of
Columbia. and constantly agitated the
question of forming it into regular militia
companies, as at that time the soldiery
was made up Of Independent companies
subject only 10 the order Of its command
ing officer. lie did not join any OF the
companies, but discussed the matter with
the commanding officers of the companies
until he thought the time was ripe for
action. He was chief marshal at the
ceremonies attending the completion of
the Washington Monument and there IL
Illustrated to the military men OF the Dis
trict the necessity OF organization.
REORGANIZED THE sDLDiERY.
In 1855. shortly after the Inauguration OF
President Cleveland. Gen. Ordway had a
conference with the President and Sec
rotary of War; and as a result he was an
pointed by the President TO reorganize the
sodiery Of the District. lie went to work
short time had matters in such shape that
the citizen soldiery commanded the re-
spect of even the regular army officers.
He was a strict disciplinaran. and during
his command of the Guard he dishanded
several of the companies for falling 10
make the required percentage Of perfec-
tion as laid down by himself.
The present militia law OF the District
OF Columbia was the work Of Gen. ord
way, and on account OF its superiority is
being adopted by many OF the States.
lie was constantly i'm receipt Of letters
from the commanding officers OF the
militia of the various States asking for
information on the subject of State troops,
and always replied to them He was the
originator in this country of the three
battalion movement for regiments, and
OF the formation during dress parade OF
having the colors marched to the fore and
tine troops passing in review and then es-
corting the colors from the field. Pre-
viously the troops were dismissed on the
field In 1877 he became connected with
the Washington office of the Hotchkiss
Ordnance Company. and has transacted
some of the most important contracts of
that firm both with this government and
with foreign countries.