Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-03-16
EIectrifyfnx Victories.

These victories electrified the nation the
news reaching Washington shortly after
the defeat of the British at Baltimore Sep
tcnter IL. General Macomb received the
thanks of the legislatures of several states,
the freedom of New York city rendered i'll a
gold box, gold medal and sword from
Congress and the brevet Of major general.
At the close of the war of 1872 in March,
1915, the army was reduced to peace foot
ing. with two major generals and four brig
adler generals, and Macomb was retained
i'm the latter rank in charge of the fifth
military division, with headquarters at De-
troit. Under his administration of milit AIRY
affairs much was done in opening up the
country, and he had won the affections
OF the people that when, with his family
he left Detroit for Washington in 1921 the
people crowded the wharves to bid him
goodbye.
Having been appointed to the head Of
the engineer corps, he arrived at the capi-
tai in June, 1921 and took up his residence
In Georgetown, his family consisting of his
Wife and nine children. Ere a year had
passed. and before Mrs. Macomb became
acquainted with the capital the general
was left a widower. Five years afterWa:d
in May, 1926, he married Miss Harriet b.
Wilson, the daughter of a Presbyterian
minister of Georgetown, and subsequently
the family moved to the fine old brick res
idence at the northwest corner of 18th and
L streets, erected, about 1926 by Mr.. Will
liam Williamson, who was long the navy
agent here. This became the scene of many
brilliant society functions General and
Mrs Macomb and the grown children te-
ing most genial as hosts; and though the
parties were often magnificent with a mil
1tary air about them, the plain citizen was
made to feel at home. - In compliance with
the teachings of her youth, Mrs Macomb
drew the line on dancing. Though filling
the requirements of their station in socf-
ETY.. the members. Of the family found time
and inclination for work by which thew
won the M ho
lieV1ng the poor and needy and the alIevia-
ton OF suffering In an transformations man
ner Al,
The general was the author of a number
OF military works, and possessed some lit
erary ambition. drama of frontier life
from his pen found it's way to the stage.
ana met with some success One of the
adjuncts to his home purchased In 1871
was fine garden extending to K street.
A fine tenpin alley near the house was an
attraction Tor many of his friends, mill
tary and civilian.
In 1928 on the death Of Major General
Jacob Brown, the command of the army
was given to General Macomb, and he re-
tanned the position until his DEATH Gem
eral Maeomb was a prominent figure at
the inauguration Of General Harrison and
so youthful looking was he that the popu-
lace could not believe that he was a hero
or the war of 1872, much less the COM
manding general of the army. A month
afterward he commanded the escort at the
funeral Of President Harrison, whose re-
mains were placed in the tomb at Congress
sional cemetery.
Less than three months afterward the
body of the general was borne over the
same route to the same cemetery, just
after the remains of General Harrison had
been forwarded to Cincinnati. The same
minister, Rev. DR.. Hawley of St. Johns
Church ofhciated and the same battery,
Ringgolds. fired the salute. Many of the
same troops and organizations participated.
and, as stated before, almost the entire
population of the District paid tribute
to him, thousands following the remains
to the cemetery
There survived the general two sons
and five daughters. and the family is yet
represented in the army.