New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-08-20
GEN. T. A. DAVIES DEAD.
AND SOLDIER PASSES AWAY
AT BLACK LAKE.


General Thomas A Davies died yesterday at the
Davies family homestead at Black Lake near Og-
dcnsburg y Y He in his nineteth year.
The funeral will be on Wednesday morning at og
densburg.
Thomas Alfred Davies the youngest child OF
Thomas John Davies was born at Black Lake on
December g. 1909 and his youth passed on his
fathers farm When sixteen years old he was ap-
pointed cadet In the United States Military
Academy and entered that institution on July !.
1925. He was graduated on July l. 1879. and was
Immediately commissioned in the Army as brevet
second Lieutenant OF the LIST Regiment OF Infantry
With this rank he served for year at Fort
Crawford IN the Territory Of Wisconsin. post
which was then considered to be on the extreme
Western frontier Of the United States. This tour
OF duty completed. he was ordered TO West Point
and remained there until October 1881. serving for
much Of the time quartermaster OF the post.
Many of the works Of improvement that now make
the place picturesque and well fitted for the
purpose to which It is devoted were planned and
begun under his direction.
DESTROYS Of wider field of action and greater op-
portunites than those afforded 20 officer ~ the
Army in time OF peace. he resigned his commission
in 1881 and sought a career in this city. He en-
tered the house NJ Goodhue & Co as a clerk. and
after year went into business on his own account
and prospered He suffered such reverses in the
panic ~ 1897 that he accepted employment as a
civil engineer IN the construction Of the Croton
Aqueduct In this he was engaged for two years.
and took a Leading part In that great work par
ticuary in the building Of High Bridge spanning
the Harlem River This labor accomplished he
again went into business and was successfully
occupied as a merchant in New-York until his final
retirement IN 1880
on August a. 1874 he married in NewYork
TO Mrs Maria White. Mrs Davies died on October
%, 1891, leaving no children
PUBLIC SPIRITED CITIZEN
Mr. Davies was public spirited citizen and
active in promoting the prosperity OF the city. He
never sought or held public office. He foresaw at
an early period the growth and progress that
in store for the city Of New-York, and began
systematic and judicious investment of his means
In the purchase OF well selected real estate which
produced him ample fortune.
At the breaking out If the Civil War ne was
the first to offer his services TO the Govern
ment from which ne had received his military ed
ucaton. on May "A. 1851. he appointed colonel
Of the 18th Regiment Of New-York Volunteers. and
Immediately ordered with his regiment to the
defence ~ Washington. which city was then
threatened by the Confederate forces. His military
education and previous service rendered him an
efficient officer and under his discipline and IN
struction the regiment he commanded became one
Of the best in the service.
HIS IMPORTANT SERVICE AT BULL RUN
In the organization OF the Army OF the Potomac
Colonel Davies was assigned 70 the command OF
the Second Brigade OF the Fifth Division Of the
Army and led the advance on the march 70 Cen
treville on the day Of the battle Of Bull Run.
July q. 1861. he was placed in command OF the
Fifth Division and with a part Of his troops at
Blackburn's Ford resisted and defeated with
we're loss determined attack by the enemy de-
signed 10 turn the left flank Of the Union Army.
When this good work had been completed on the
left and the attacking force Of the Union Army
on the right had been repulsed and In retreat.
| nav fell hac wi
treville and took the position on the Heights.
There, in command Of the only troops that had not
suffered defeat that day he covered the retreat CT
the remainder OF the army and checked the pur-
suit OF the Confederates. He held this position
until r o'clock at night, and then. under orders
received and after having fully performed the
duties Entrusted 70 him, retired on Alexandra.
He spent the following winter IN the defences OF
Washington and was rewarded for the service ne
had performed on March I. 1862, by promotion 10
| brigadier general OF volunteers He was trans
ferred to the Western armies then commanded by
| General Halleck General Davies was assigned TO
the command OF the Second Division OF the Army
and the siege Of Corinth and was engaged in the
battle of Corinth. in which his division alone tor a
long time engaged the whole force or the enemy my
displaying gallantry and suffering severe ioss a. ne
thanks Of General RosecTans then COMMENCING m
orders 10 General Davies and his command for their
gallant conduct
PROMOTED FOR GALLANTRY.
General Davies afterward assigned 70 COM
rand successfully the important districts Of Co
Iurnbus Ky; Rolla Mo. Northern Kansas and
Wisconsin, and on June H. 1868. he received COM
mission as brevet major general OF volunteers Tor
gallant and rneritorOus services" The war having
bsan brought 70 a successful close, he felt that his
services could be spared. and. resigung his COM
mission he returned 10 his home in New-York
Though retired from active business life, his time
since the close OF the war was not passed use
lessy unproductivey. In additon 70 ne ne ar
1-rI,a md nubIish series OF books on theological
subjects Their general design and purpose was 10
refite the current theories advanced py me niao
feralistic school. and to MAINTAIN the TEX Vi
RibIe as an authentic and inspired as wen as NJ
araiIv accurate record OF the creation OF the world
INVENTED RAILROAD IMPROVEMENTS
General Davies invented and patented many
devices including some improvements IN the con-
structlon Of railways which have been success
fully adapted to use He took a deep interest III
the family homestead at Black Lake and gave
largely Of his time and means for It's improvement
and preservation He bought II several years ago
70 relieve his elder brother from the pressure OF
6rancial embarrassment under which ne was SUI
fering and gave the use Of il as home 70 MIN
ana mis- descendants. He had built an ooelsH on
the grounds Of the homestead This was qeGca ad
TO the memory OF MS rather anu '4'' :" ~
sisters whom he had lost. .,.o,, ard zsaious
/ General Davies consistent anu Leaio 80
,-,crone of the Protestant Episcopal Cnurch ana
in' L. ~ the Oldest and most Influential mempers
of ST. Bartholomew's Church IN the cry - ~
Work did much 10 foster ana ASSIST ne IL "a
fessad by his ancestors and nlInseiI. ~ PraS9eb
D,cb ~ his leisure time In field sports 70 wA.SL
~ vas always attached. and almost up 10 eI.s
tn 81 his death retained the reputation OF Keen
and skilful sportsman