Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1897-02-02
GEN. oRAfGHILL TO BErIkB.
He WttL Leave the Se,-vtce on Hts
Oaft Application Under the
Forty. Years Latc.

WASHlNGTON, JAN zO.-Oen. WllIlh1
Price Craighill, chief of engineers, after a
most brilliant military and scientific rec.
ord, will be retired next Monday on his
own application under the forty years
service law. He might have retired un-
der this law nearly four years ago, and
has done so now only to avoid retirement
on account of age next July. OF strong
health and unimpaired mental force, he
aspircs to continuation of active work
in the line of his profession.
The retirement will leave to the Presi
dent the filling of most desirable post.
1t is not yet known upon whom the
choice will fall, but the general opinion
seems to be that it lies between Col. j.
NJ. Wilson, superintendent of public
buildings and grounds in Washington,
and Col. 81. NJ. Robert, division engineer
at New York
General Craighill stands at the very
front of his profession as military and
civil engineer He was appointed to
West Peint from Charles Town, w. Va,
(then Virginia. and graduated in 1858,
second in a class of fifty-two members
He entered the engineering corps imme-
diately upon graduation and passed
through all of the grades up to chief en-
gineer, which office he assumed in May,
1895, succeeding General Casey.
During the war he had charge of some
of the most important Notifications inthe
East including those of the national cap
ital, while as civil engineer he has had
something to do with nearly every one OF
the great projects for the improvement OF
the rivers and harbors of the entire coun-
try, either directly or in an advisory ca
pacity.
General Craighill has been twice sent
to Europe on important engineering mis-
sions for the government and has five
times visited the Pacific coast on similar
service, He was president of the board
appointed to select and recommend to
Congress sites for manufacturing heavy
guns on the Pacific and Gulf coasts was
a member of the lighthouse board in
Washington for several years, and has
several times been rendered the appoint
ment of superintendent of the Military
Academy at West Point.
For many years a member of the Amer
lean Society of Civil Engineers, he be-
came the president of that organization
in 1894, being the only officer of the army
who has attained that distinction. He ia
also member of the American Associa-
ton for the Advancement of Science, the
Historical Society of Maryland and the
American Economic Association.
The Washington Star says: "Gentle
and modest, suave and obliging, he will
always be remembered with pleasure by
every one who has come in contact with
him, either officially or socially"
The Baltimore American says: 1T
seems absolutely preposterous to think Of
General William P. Craighill retiring OF
account of age, but the fact is that, al
though he is stronger and clearer-headed
and capable of more work than most mer
of forty, he has nearly reached the limi
the service allows, and next Monday, al
his own request, he will be off the active
list. OF course, many years of health
and happiness remain for him, and wher
ever he may go the good wishes of the
people of Baltimore, for whose harbor he
did SO much, will go with him.
By the resignation of Gen. Craighill hi:
son Lieut.. w. E. Craighill, Adjutant Of
the Post Engineer School at Willett'.
Point, N. Y, will be promoted to q
Captaincy.
Gen. craighill came to his home here
Saturday, and left yesterday to visit his
daughters, Mrs. Hunter Davidson and
Mrs. E. Tayloe Perry. at Augusta, Ga
He will also visit his son, Mr. N R.
Craighill, Professor of Mechanical and
Electrical Engineering of the State
College at Raleigh, N. c..