The Washington times., 1901-08-31
CAREER OF GENERAL LUDLOW.
An Active Participant In the Service
of Two Wars.

Gen William Ludlow. whose death at
Convent Station, n. j., was reported to
the War Department yesterday. was one
of the most energetic and valuable Off
GERS in the United States Army. He was
born November q. 1913, and appointed to
the West Point Military Academy from
New York July l. 1860. He graduated in
1854 as a lieutenant of engineers. Within
a month after his graduation he was bre-
vetted captain for gallant and meritorious
services in the defence of Alatoona Pass.
Before the end of that year he was
made major for merftorious services
in the campaign through Georgia, and in
the following spring was promoted to col
onel for bravery exhibited in the cam
paign of the CaroIinas. He was chief
engineer of the Twentieth Army Corps,
and was engaged in the siege and capture
of Atlanta He was assistant engineer
of General Shermau's army and partici-
pated in the march TO the sea He took
part in the invasion of the Carolinas at
the battle of Bentonvilie and the cap
ture of Raleigh in the spring of 1865
Since the close of the civil war he
held a number of important positions in
the Engineer Department of the Army.
He was chief engineer of the Philadel-
phla water department in 1856. and later
Engineer Commissioner of the District of
Columbia. From January. 1891, to April.
lSs6, he was military attache at the
United States Embassy in London. He
also served as president and disbursing
officer of the Nicaraguan Canal board of
engineers.
When the war with Spain was declared
ne was on lighthouse duty in New York.
he was made chief engineer of the United
States forces at Tampa and was later
placed in command of the First Brigade.
Second Division, OF the Fifth Army Corps,
and participated in the battles around
Santiago. After the occupation of Ha-
yana General Ludlow was made Military
Governor of the city of Havana and com
mander of the Department of Havana. His
fearless conduct OF affairs in Havana
made many enemies for General Ludlow
among the evil-disposed classes of the ISL
and. The breaking up of an organized
system of biackmail in Havana was en-
tirely due to his efforts. He inaugurated
the first rational system OF sanitation in
Havana and was largely responsible for
the improved conditions of the city.
After his return from Havana he was
made President of the War College Board
at Washington. and last January was or
dered to the Philippines with other Off
GERS assigned to duty at Manila. While
at Manila General Ludlow's health broke
down completely and 1t was evident from
an examination made by physicians there
that he had consumption. When his con-
dition was reported to the War Depart
orders for his return to the United states
on account of disa ability. He arrived AT
San Francisco June 26 and was on waiting
orders from that time.
General Ludlow was a brother of Rear
Admiral NichCl Ludlow, L. S. n. He
married sister of Admiral Deweys wife
General Ludlow was known in the army
for his utter fearlessness and his reckless
disregard for public criticism where he
considered that he was doing what was
good for the public service. An interest
ing story is told of an attempt by
wealthy contractor to bribe General Lud.
low He was at that time in charge of
some public improvement and the con-
tractor. who called to see him, quietly
slipped 81 900 note across the table to
General Ludlow. General Ludlow as
quietly opened the drawer of his desk
and taking out box of cigars offered
one to the contractor. The latter. who
seemed pleased with the actions of Cen
eral Ludlow, accepted the cigar. but was
amazed when General Ludlow calmly
picked up the 81 900 note, stuck it in the
CRATE. and after allowing it to partly con-
sumo itself, remarked. Have light,
sir?" The contractor dropped his cigar
and fed from the office.