New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-05-30
PETER G. HAMS.

Brigadier-General Peter c. Hams was born
In Philadelphia, July 6, 1910. He was graduated
from the United States Military Academy in the
class Of June, 1861. and appointed a first lieu
tenant In the I'd Regiment OF Artillery. lmme-
diateiy on graduating he went with other mem
beers OF his class. to Washington. and was as
signed to drill volunteer troops. at that time
assembling at the Capital. AS an artillery off,
Ger he was engaged in the first battle OF Bull
Run. In the siege Of Yorktown, in the battles
of williamsburg Hanover Courthouse. and
Malvern Hill. July ].
IN July, 1862. he was transferred to the
Corps Of Typographical Engineers. but con-
tinued to serve with the artillery. In the second
battle Of Malvern Hill his battery commander,
the gallant Captain Benson was mortally
wounded and the command devoved on him.
He continued In command of the battery. being
engaged In the battles Of South Mountain and
Antietam, as we'll as in several sdrInishes prior
and subsequent to those battles. until the latter
part Of September. 1862. when he was assigned
as Assistant Typographical Engineer at the head
Quarters Of the Army Of the Potomac When the
Army Of the Potomac was organized into three
grand divisions he was assigned as Chief
Topographcal Engineer OF the Centre Grand
Division, Major Hooker commanding.
taking part In the battle Of Fredericksburg. Va.
d,
Army OF the Potomac until March, 1863. when
he was transferred to the Army or the Ten
nessee. at that time about to begin the turning
movement that resulted in the capture Of Vicks-
burg, Miss.
Assigned to duty as Chief Engineer OF the
Thirteenth Army Corps. he took part In the bat
Ties of Port Gibson. Champion Hills, Black River
bridge the two assaults on Vicksburg. and con-
Quoted throughout the entire siege the opera
tons In front Of the Thirteenth Army Corps.
After the surrender he accompanied Sherman
army in its operations against Johnston. which
resulted In the capture OF jackson. Miss
In August, 1868. he was assigned 10 the duty
Of constructing an intrenched camp at Natchez,
Misc and remained there until April, loot,
when he was transferred TO General Banks 5
army at that time returning from the Red River
campaign He Joined General Banks's army at
the mouth Of Red River. and in July. 1864. after
the army had returned from New-Orleans. was
assigned to duty as chief engineer OF the De-
partment OF the Gull
Early in 1865 he was offered the command
of a regiment of volunteers from New-Jersey,
the state from which he was appointed. but.
owing to the ccarcity OF engineer oihcers at that
time. was not allowed by the War Department
TO accept 1t. Subsequently, in June 1868. he
was appointed by Governor Parker OF New
Jersey colonel of the 10th New-Jersey Volun-
teers but as the war was about closed he was
not mustered into the volunteer service.
General Hams received the brevet or captain
for gallant and merttorious services In the
battle OF Hanover Courthouse; OF Major
for gallant and meritorious services in the siege
of Vicksburg: and of Northumberland for gal
liant and meritorious service during the war.
Since the war he has been engaged on various
works OF a civil and military nature. For
three years he was in command Of the Engineer
Post of efrerson Barracks. Missouri. Subsequent
10 that he served engineer of the Fifth and
sixth Lighthouse districts. and as engineer sec
Rotary Of the Lighthouse Board
In 1852 he was assigned to the charge OF tho
reclamation Of the Potomac Flats at washing
ton ID C.. and continued in charge till Novem-
Der. 1901, when that work was well advanced
toward completion.
He constructed the new bridge on the piers
Of the old Aqueduct at Georgetown. D. c.: a
6rfdge across the Anacostia at the foot OF Penn
oYfvonia-ave.3 and large iron pier at Fort
Aensos. vrania. and bridge across Mill
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