Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-08-20

fS6O, and was actively engaged throughout
the entire civil war; his whole record being
a most creditable one. For his fearless and
Skillful services in the field he was brevet-
ted six times: as captain for meritoriouS
conduct Al the battle of Gaines Mill, as
major for gallant services at the battle of
Malvern Hill, as colonel of United States
volunteers for faithful services in the cam
paigE against Mobile. as lieutenant colonel
OF the regular army for gallantry at the
capture of Spanish Fort, and colonel for
msrltOriOus services at the capture of Fort
Blakely, Alabama.
Since the war of the rebellion Gen. VIII
son has been stationed in different parts of
our country. and has been assigned various
Guties requiring the widest range of knowl
9Cge and skill pertaining to his profession
ard kirdred subjects. He was thus thor
cushly fitted for the well-earned promo
uCn, which he received on February l,
1897. to the highly responsible position of
CT ief of engineers of the army.
AT the present time all matters of en-
cheering connected with thu military de-
fer Sc of our nation are of paramount i'm
pcrtance to Gen. Wilson and the officers
under his command. A large percentage of
the corps aud almost the entire battalion
OF engineers have been engaged in active
military operations against the enemy, and
the excellent record of the Corps Of En-
ginseTs richly earned by distinguished
service in the past was fully sustained in
the war with Spain.
Gun Battery n Citadel.
Every improvement in naval ordnance
and in the art OF war augment the duties
and responsibilities of the army engineers
and add to the Importance of the york as
signed to them. Thirty-five years ago it was
not a very difficult undertaking, from an
engineering point of view to construct bat
teries impregnable 10 all missiles then
known. 1t is Ia different now. The mod
ern gun or mortar rattery, as constructed
by the engineers of the United
States army, is a citadel in itself,
ard its planning and adaptation to
various sites requires a vast amount of
careful study ami efficient work. The con-
struction IS such thar the Instruments of
precision and other acce ssories installed
therein successfully Withstand the shock of
rapidly firing the igh-pCwer guns and
NC rtars, requiring hundreds of pounds of
ammunition and discharging tons of metal
highly effective even at a distance of eight
or ten miles from the battery. In planning
our gun and mortar emplacements the engi-
neers give Cull consideration TO the matter
of the efficiency and possibilities of the
most formidable engines of destruction
aftat and the amoUnt of masonry work.
concrete, etc, entering into the construc-
ton Of the batteries is determined with
mathematical exactness. The plans spe-
cthcations and estimates are then submit
ted to the chief of engineers and receive
bis careful personal examination. If the
project is satisfactory in every respect it
receives his approval. and an allotment of
funds is made for the purpose of carrying
on the work.
Ably Assisted by Major Kuhn.
At the headquarters of the Corps of En-
g-neers at Washington Gen. Wilson is ably
assisted by Mai. Joseph f. Kuhn in mat
tiers relating to the construction, preserva-
ton and repair of Notifications This Off
Ger is a most assiduous worker, and is an
accepted authority on fertilization con-
rstrlyc S.f l.f.
ed on the Pacific coast under the personal
supervision OF Maj. Kuhn are adopted as
typical batteries in our system of seasoast
defense. He has also aided materially in
the development OF the efficient electric
Eight and power plants used in our modern
works Of defense.
The Engineer Corps is composed of Off
GERS VINO have graduated from the United
States Military Academy with the highest
h0nors in their respective classes, and the
officers of the corps are not only eminent
clNLL ana military engineers, but many of
the members are SPECIALISTS in various
other sciences. When we recall the diff
cult and diversified duties ably performed
by the corps in the past such as the con-
strction OF the Washington monument, the
undermining ard blowing up of Hell Gate
the supervision of the construction of the
State, War and Navy building the model
office building of the world. and the work
of completing the beautiful Library of Com
gress, II is safe 20 say that as body this
corps cannot be excelled in skill, energy
and devotion TO duty.
Busy. blu: Always Courteous.
Prior to the declaration of war with Spain
a large number OF the officers of the Corps
of Engineers were on duty as instructors
at the West Point Military Academy, of
which institution General Wilson was sll.
perintendent for several years previous ia
his promotion to commanding officer of his
corps. As superintendent OF the United
States Military Academy General Wilson
devoted his talents 10 the advancement OF
the academys interests I'm all directions OF
military science He gained and kept the
confidence and love of every officer and
cadet who strived to do his full duty as
General Wilson's deep interest in and en-
coura cement of such men are proverbial
At the present time. when his subordinates
including army officers. enlisted men and
civilians are numbered by the thousands