Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1898-05-12
A Distinguished shepherdstowner.

for pride when they consider the long
line of distinguished men who have
gone out from our gates during the
past hundred years or more-states-
men, poets, ministers, soldiers, invent
ors and persons famous in various
walks of life. Three Governors to
Ohio. FIVE Congressman. TO say nothing
of James Rumsey, the inventor OF the
steamboat, are among the many worthy
sons that Shepherdstown has gwen to
the world. Our friend writes that in
looking over the National Encyclope-
dia the first name on It's pages is that
of a native Of this place, accompanied
by the sketch which We herewith print:
ALERT, JOHN JAMES, military engi-
neer, was born in Shepherdstown, Va,
September II, 1888. He was the son
of John Albert, who came to this coun-
try with Gen Rochambeau IN 1850.
Young Albert entered as a cadet Of the
West Point military academy, in the
year 1908, only six years after It's hrst
establishment by law. Graduating
from the academy in 1911, he was
from then until November, 1914, en-
ployed in the war Office. Meanwhile
he studied law, and was admitted to
the bar in the District of Columbia IA
1918. In the war of 1912 he volun-
teered as a private soldier for the de-
fence of the Capital, and was in the
battle of Bladensburg, August II.
1914; his services on that occasion
being acknowledged by conferrlng on
him a land warrant under the existing
laws. He was appointed topograph-
ical engineer with the rank Of major,
November %, 1914. At that time
there was no organized corps Of those
officers, but they formed a part of the
general staff, and served with geperals
in the field. After the close OF the
war, they were employed in surveys
of the seacoast and inland frontiers,
reporting to the chief Of engineers, and
the results of their labors were collect
ed in Typographical bureau established
in the war department, under charge
Of Maj. Roberdeau. On the reorgani-
zation Of the army, in 1916, MAJ.
Albert was retained. In 1924 he was
breyetted lieutenant-colonel for ten
years faithful service in one grade; and
at the death OF Col. Roberdeau, Feb
ruary u, 1929, he was appointed TO
the charge Of the Typographical bureau.
As the duties of this bureau increased in
magnitude and importance, Col. Albert
exerted himself TO cause il TO be made
a distinct branch of the war depart
ment. which he effected June %, 1881.
At this time his corps consisted Of SIX
majors and four captains by brevet,
and six civil engineers; besides which
some twenty subalterns Of the line Of
the army were detailed on topogrspb.
ical duty under his orders. He wss
Indian commissioner in 1928. Up
on the reconstruction Of the army. by
act Of Congress approved July 8, 1888
CU. S. statutes, No. 5, sec. 4, p. 25O,
the corps Of Typographical engineers
were organized and created one Of the
staff corps Of the army, with the officer
to whose fostering care and Judiclous
management it mainly owed its exist
ence for its colonel and chief. Col.
Albert was, in fact, at the head Of his
corps for upwards Of tbirty-two years,
until be was honorably retired from
active duty the llth of September,
1861. after bis long and faithful ser.
vice. The army and the country will
not need 10 be reminded Of the vast
interest and value attached 10 the op-
GRAFTON Of this corps since its organiza-
tion. The geographical and other in.
formation concerning this continent,
which It's officers have collected and
published, has challenged the admira-
ton Of the scientific world, while the
practical benefit Of their labors has
been felt 10 nearly every State and
every Territory the whole forming a
proud monument TO him who was its
founder. He was member Of several
scientific societies, and was one Of the
organizers Of the national institute
of science, which was subsequently,
merged into the Smithsonian instituts.
On the 25th Of January, 1913, be was
married to Ellen Mstlask Stretch, the
granddaughter Of Col Timothy Mat
lack, the revolutionary patriot. The
sons of Col. Albert served with dis
tinction in the U. s. army during tho
civil war. He died in Washington,
D. c., January q, 1863.