Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-05-01
Gen. Gillespie Assumes Charge Of the
Office.
NUMEROUS CHANGES IN THE CORPS
Conference With Secretary Root
Regarding Assignments.
A NUMBER OF PROMOTIONS

Gen. George L. Gillespie, who succeeds
Gen. John NJ. Wilson as chief of engineers,
| assumed charge of that office this morning.
His appointment will not take effect, how
ever for two or three days yet in order to
permit the execution of the plan for the
| appointment Of Coils Robert and Barlow as
chief Of engineers and their Immediate re-
trement in the grade of brigadier general.
These two officers are both in New York.
AS neither of them is to take active charge
of the office it will not be necessary for
them to come to Washington. Meanwhile
the business of the Office will be performed
by General Gillespie. who came here this
morning under special orders for that pur-
pose. His regular appointment will prob
ably take effect Monday next.
Record in the Civil War.
General Gillespie is one of the most dis
tinguished officers in the army and has had
a long and eventful career. A native of
Tennessee he graduated from the Military
Academy No 9 in the class of July, 1862
He took an active part in the war of the
rebellion and was twice brevetted, once as
major for gallant and meritorious services
during the campaign before Richmond. Va.
and again as lieutenant colonel for gallant
and meritorious service in the campaign
from Winchester to Appomattox Court
f1OuSe. he also received a medal OF honor
for most distinguished galantry in action
near Bethesda Church. Va. May 81 1864
He went through the enemy's lines to COM
municate with Gen. Sheridan and verify
his presence: was seized a prisoner. but
escaped; was again ordered to surrender
but dashed away under fire and reached
Gen. Sherdan's command. He then imme
diatelv returned to Gen. Meade with very
valuable Information as the result of his
perilous mission. AT that time he was
serving as a first lieutenant. Corps of En-
gineers Most of his earlier war service
was with the Army of the Potomac. He
commanded company of engineers at the
battle of Antietam. in the Kappa hammock
campaign. at the battle of Fredericksburg
and in other important engagements.
At the battle of Charlottesville he threw
bridge across the Rappabannock river in
the face of the enemy. and subsequently
conducted important and dangerous opera
ttohs in Virginia, Maryland and Pennsylva-
MIA. 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 construc-
.loh OF offensive and defensive works on
the field of battle
In the Richmond campaign he was en-
gaseo IN sapping at the battles of Cold
prldse across the James river. In the last
Gays OF the war he was chief engineer on
the staff Of General Sheridan, and took
part IN the engagements of Waynesbor-
ough, Ashland, Dinwidde Court House.
Five Forks and at the capitulation of Cen
eral Lees army at Appomattox
Since the Civil War.
Since the civil war he has had charge Of
many important engineering works in diff
ferent parts of the country, and served as
a member of numerous boards charged
with extensive river and harbor improve
ments. He reached the grade Of colonel of
engineers in October 1895
During the Spanish war he served as
brigadier general Of volunteers and had
command of the Department of the East
with headquarters at New York At the
present time he Is division engineer Of the
northeast division, which includes New
England; member of the board Of engineers
member and president of the Mississippi
commission, member of the board of off,
GERS for the examination for promition cf
officers of the corps of engineers, member
of the board Of engineer officers to consider
and report upon the subject of the harbor
lines OF New York harbor and it's adjacent
waters, and member of the light house
board, with headquarters in the Army
building, New York city. With the excep-
t1on OF membership in the light house
board he Will relinquish all these duties at
once, and devote himself entirely to the
business before the chief of engineers.
Engineer Corps Changes
The retirement of Colonels Robert and
Barlow also vacates many important engi-
neer assignments. General Gillespie had a
conference with Secretary Root this morn
Ing regarding these matters, and 1t is ex-
pected that the many existing vacancies In
stations and duties will be filled within q
few days
The board of engineers is composed at
present Of Generals Gillespie, Robert and
barlow, and will have to be entirely reor-
ganized An engineer officer will have to be
detailed as president Of the Mississippi
river commission.
General Gillespie spent the day In meet
ing his official associates and assistants
ana faml1arizing himself with the methods
OF business In the office of the chief of on
glheers He announced that he had no in
tehtlon or making any changes in the en-
siheef force in this city, and only such
changes IN the engineer department as are
made necessary by recent promotions and
retirementS ~
Resulting Promotions.
The retirement of General Wilson. chief
Oh engineers, and Colonies Robert and Bar
low, who retire with the rank of briea
d1er generals, make a number OF nrorno
tlons In the corps of engineers Lieutenant
Colonels Garrett ]. Lydecker, Amos Stick
ney and Alexander Mackenzie become
colonels: Majors Thomas H. Handburv.
henry henry M. Adams and Charles E. L. B.
DAVIS become lieutenant colonels: Captains
John Biddle, Harry F. Hodges and James
f. Warren become majors; First Lieuten-
ants James B. Cavanaugh James p Jer-
Vey and George P. Howell are promoted
captains; Second Lieutenants Edward NJ
Johnston, Clarence H. Sheriff. and John
n. Poole are promoted first lieutenants.