The National tribune., 1901-05-09
CHAT OF THE CORRIDORS.

We have now the largest floating dry
dock in the world. It has besn built at
| Baltimore for Algiers, La, and the pres
ent problem 10 how to get Il there. Over
13,OOO,OOO pounds Of steel have been used
| in its construction, and as 1t 10 more than
| half submerged the towing Of such a vast
and unwieldy bulk is q formidable under
taking. The start will be made some time
| in September, a number of powerful tugs
being utilized; Slow progress will be
made on the long trip. The dock is 525
feet long, 100 feet wide across the en-
trance, with a depth of 2S feet over the
sill. 1t has lifting capacity of $4,000
Tons, and on emergency its high decks will
give it additional power at $4,000 tons.
1t has cost $4,000.
The contract calls for placing the dock
IN position at Algiers, so that the towing
of the structure through the Atlantic and
the Gulf will be made at the risk of the
contractors.
Gen. Gillespie, the new Chief of Engi-
neeis, had a brilliant record in the re-
bellion. A native of Tennessee, he grad
mated from the Military Academy, No. 2
in the class of July, 1862.
He was twice breyetted, once as Major
for gallant and meritorious services dur
ing the campaign before Richmond, Va,
and again as Lieutenant-C Colonel for gal
liant and meritorious service in the cam
paign from Winchester to Appomattox
Court House. He also received a Medal
of Honor for most distinguished gallantry
in action near Bethesda Church, Va, May
81, 1864. He went through the enemy's
lines to communicate with Gen. Sheridan
and verify his presence; was seized as
prisoner, but escaped; was again ordered
to surrender, but dashed away under fire
and reached Gen. Sheridan's command.
He then Immediately returned to Gen.
Meade with very valuable information as
the result of his perilous mission. At that
time he was serving as First Lieuten-
ant, Corps of Engineers He commanded
a company of engineers at the battle of
Antietam, at the battle of Fredericks-
burg and in other important engagements.
At the battle of Charlottesville he
threw a bridge across the Rappahannock
River in the face of the enemy, and sub
sequently conducted important and dan
gerous operations in Virginia, Maryland
and Pennsylvania. Much of his service
was connected with the construction of
pontoon bridges over the Potomac and
other rivers for the advance of the army,
and in the construction of offensive and
defensive works on the field of battle.
In the Richmond campaign he was en-
gagged in the battles of Cold Harbor and
Petersburg. He also threw a bridge
across the James River. In the last days
staff of Gen. Sheridan, and took part in
the engagements of Waynesboro, Ashland,
Dinwiddie Court House, Five Forks, and
at the capitulation of Gen. Lees army at
Appomattox He was a Brigadier Cen
eral of Volunteers during the Spanish
war.
Wednesday, May 1, Lafayette Post,
G.. A. R., mustered IN, in the presense Of
a large gathering, Hon. Frank W. Hack
EFT, Assistant Secretary of the Navy. Sec
retary Hacket served during the rebellion
as Assistant Paymaster of the Navy.
The keel Of the Colorado, which prom
ises to be one of the finest ships in the
navy, was laid last week at Cramps
shipyards.
A transaction in the Office Of the Ap-
pointment Clerk Of the Treasury last
week recalled the memories Of the terri
Bile night when President Lincoln was as
sassinated. Mrs. Marguerite Coleman re-
signed her place, and her niece, Miss Mar
guerite It. Coleman, was given place
outside the classified service, at S6oO
year, in order to support her aunt.
Mrs Coleman is the woman who saved
the life of Secretary Seward when an at
tempt was made to assassInate him on the
night of April IA, 1865. Mrs. Coleman
was an attendant by the bedside of the
Secretary, who was lying i'll in his home,
that stood on the present site of the La
fayette Square Theater. An invalid sol
dier named Robinson was also caring for
the Secretary.
As Payne, the would-be assassin, dashed
up the stairs, he encountered Mrs. oole-
man in the hall. She tackled him, scream
ing for help, and although the man threw
her to one side, the delay was sufficient
to attract Robinson, who met the fellow
at the door and also grappled with him.
Seeing the struggle, Secretary Seward
rolled to the opposite side Of the bed, ana
although Payne got loose from the soldier
and attacked the Secretary, he was not
able to seriously injure him before help
arrived and the assassin was compelled
to fee.
Mrs. Coleman's bravery in struggling
with the man in the corridor was largely
instrumental in preventing the CARRYING
out the designs of the murderers, and Sec
retary Seward was very grateful to her.
He secured her an appointment in the
Treasury, which she held for u years,
and resigned on account of i'll health.
The great victory in Manila Bay was
celebrated May l by a banquet at the
Raleigh, at which were present: Admiral
Boston; Capt. Walker, Of the Concord;
Capt. Lamberton, Commander Colvocor-
esses, Commander Norris, Lieut.-COm-
mander Bailey, Lieut. Commander How
ard, Lieut.. Commander Hall, Lieut.. Ir-
win, Mr.. Shoenborn, Paymaster Gait,
Medical Director Price, Lieut.. McCor-
mick, DIR. Green, Lieut.. Commander Glib
son, Lieut.. Commander Nelson, Paymas-
ter Martin, Lieut.-Col. Bergman, Com
mander Ford, Mr.. J. L. Stickney, Com
mander Inch, Commander Rees, Lieut..
Atles, Lieut.. Caldwell, Mr.. MacCoun,
and Lieut.. Knepper.