New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-02-02
COLONEL j. N. WILSON PROMOTED.
NOMINATED FOR CHIEF OF ENGINELRs
To sIrCCEED GENERAL CRAIGIIILL.

TO SUCCEED GENERAL CRA1Gll1LL.
Washington. Feb 1 lspeciaD. Colonel John NJ
Wilson yns nominated by the President TO-DAY as
Chief OF Engineers of the Army, with the rank OF
briga general. Colonel Wilson has long ana
creditabc record OF service both in war ana peace
Although born in the District OF Columbia ne WIS
appointed to the Military Academy from Washhs-
ton Territory. lie was graduated July !. lS'o ahd
was actively engaged throughout the Civil war;
He was In the battl' OF Bull Run, assisted in the
defence of Washington and was in the Virginia
peninsular campaign al Yorktown, WILLIAMSBURG
Slatersburg Gaines's Mills. MecEanicsviiie, NAL
vern Hill and other engagements lie alfr"diu
took De ri In the Maryland mpaign with the Army
Of the Potomac, and was engaged at South Noun
tair Antietam. Charlestown and Harpers Ferrv.
In InIy 1862 he was transferred to the Engineer
Department. and has remained there ever since
After a short service nj the Military Academy in
1853 he was assigned TO duty In connection with the
defence OF Baltimore Memphis. Vcksburg and
Natchez and in May, 1854 was assistant inspector
general o. the Military Division Of the West In
the following year he took an active part In the
opera lions resulting in the capture OF Spanish fort
Mobile Harbor. and was present Mt the surrender OF
General Taylors rebel army at Chronicle. Ala IN
MAY 1865 Subsequently he was In charge Of the
construction OF the fort at Ship Island. Miss, and
also took part in the preparation Of the defences OF
New-Orleans.
For his services in the war he was brevetted five
ti,nes-as captain for meritorous conduct at the
ba OF Gaines's Mills. major for gallant SER
vices al the battle OF Malvern II, as colonel United
States Volunteers for faithful services In the cam
pagn agains, Mobile as observation-disclosures OF the
Army for gallantry AT the capture OF Spanish Fort
and as colonel for mcritorious services at the cap
ture OF Fort Blakely Ala Since the war he has
been engaged in important engineering works IN
various parts OF the country. lie was the super
intending engineer OF the works at Forts Ontario
and Niagara from 1911 TO 1870 ana also had char%e
Of harbor inprovements on Like Ontario and Ils
10 the extreme Northwest, and had charge OF all
the important engineering works In Washington
and Oregon. including the Improvements or tlc
Columbia River and the canal around the cas-
For four Years from October. 1857. he acted as
was then ordered 10 California on duty connected
with the restraining barriers on the iuha AMER,
Clsveland's first term he was ordered 10 Washing.
ton and placed In charge OF public buildings ana
The Military Academy. lie remained there for four
fe SS of %h Sy Pr m sS wss
and restored TO his former station In addition -
the dges M to s q, o y.o ne enenec OF
the Northeast Division OF the United States. m
Guiding the New England States. Network. por-
Colonel Wilson received the degree Of II. D. from
Columbian University. Of this city. In 1sS re is
member OF the American Society Of Civil Engineers
and the past president Of the Society Of Civil En-
gneers of Cleveland. Ohio. He reached the grade
OF colonel of engineers In March, 1885 and In The
lie was the second ranking officer in the CORPS his
only senior being Colonel Henry NJ Roberts. for.
An order was issued from the War Department
neers on the retired list in compliance with his re-
quest.