Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-12-04
Distinguished Soldier Passes
Away at Natural Bridge, Va.
RETIRED TEN YEARS AGO
Leader Of First Military Expedition
to Philippines.
FAME WON IN THE CIVIL WAR
Body Will Be Taken to West Point
and Inferred on Military
Academy Reservation.

tired. a veteran Of Indian campaigns. the
civil and Spanish wars and the Philippine
instruction. died shortly after. noon yes
terday at the Natural Bridge Hotel, Nat
ural Bridge, Va. where he had been stay
ing for several weeks past. After his re-
tirement from active service in 1900 Gen.
Merritt Travelled extensively and finally
established his residence at 1922 Rhode
Island avenue.
It was announced at the War Depart
ment last night that, pursuant to the last
request Of Gen. Merritt. the body will be
inferred on the Military Academy reserva-
ton at West Point, and the entire
strength Of the cadets there will act as
escort to the grave. Secretary Dickinson
has issued the necessary instructions.
Gen. Merritt's Military Career
Gen. Merritt was born in New York
June 18, 1880 and was appointed cadet
at the United States Military Academy
from Illinois, July 1, 1855; was graduated
and appointed q brevet second lieutenant
in the I'd Dragons, July /, 1860: was pro-
NOTED first lieutenant OF the I'd cavalry,
May IL, 1861; promoted captain, April 5,
1862; was appointed lieutenant colonel of
the 9th cavalry upon the reorganization
of the army. July %, 1896, and promoted
colonel of the 5th cavalry, July I, 1876.
He was appointed brigadier general. April
16, 1887, and major general April %.
1895: was retired from active service by
operation of law, having reached the age
of sixty-four years. June IL. $780, Dur
ing the progress OF the civil war he was
appointed brigadier general OF volunteers.
June %. 1853. and major general April
/, 1855. He was honorably mustered out
Of the volunteer service February l, 1866.
Honors in the Civil War.
Gen. Merritt was brevetted major, July
1, 1868, for gallant and neritorious serv-
ices In the battle OF Gettysburg; ieuten-
ant colonel; May IL. 1854. for gallant and
meritorious services In the battle of yell
low Tavern, Va; colonel. May %, 1854,
for gallant and meritorious services in
the battle of Hawe's Shop. Va: brigadier
general. March 13, 1855, for gallant and
meritorious services In the battle OF Five
Forks, Va; major general. on the same
date, for gallant and meritOrtous services
during the campaign ending with the sur
render OF the army OF northern Virginia
and major general OF volunteers, October
ices in the battles Of Winchester and
Fishers Hill, Va. He also received a
commission as major general OF volun-
teers, April 1, 1855, for specific distin-
guished service. His great military chance
in the civil war came at the battle Of
Beverly Ford, where, as commander OF
his regiment, he led the charge against
Stuart,s Cavalry and lost one-third Of his
command in killed and wounded. He him.
self received saber cut on the head
Ger.
Gen. Merritt's advancement was rapid.
proceeding quickly from command Of
brigade to division and finally succeed
corps In the AppomattOx campaign.
Gen. Merrttt's Rapid Rise.
At the close Of the war Gen. Merritt was
twenty-eight years Of age. He had risen
from captain to major general and COM
mander of 1000 cavalry in two years.
He fought brilliantly on many fields. Up
and down the Shenandoah valley and all
the way from the Wilderness to Appomat-
tox his name is written In the history Of
every battle. 1t was at Winchester when
his charge against Breckinridges divi-
sion drew the remark from Sheridan. II
claim nothing Tor myself My boys,
Merritt and Custer, did 1t ALL"
In days OF action Gen. Merritt was
the very embodiment Of force. His facul-
ties were sharpened and his view was
cleared on the battlefield. His decisions
were given with the rapidity of thought
and were as clear as II they had been
studied for weeks. He never felt that
his first Judgment gained by thought and
reflection. His fiery spirit was closely
held In thrall to will.
Commanded Philippine Expedition.
Gen. Merritt was the military COM
mander In charge of the first detach-
ment Of United States troops who landed
on the Philippine Islands and the land
operations against Manila were con-
Quoted under his direction.
He leaves a widow. who is the daugh-
ter Of Mrs. Norman Williams Gen.
Merritt has three nephews i'm Washing
ton-A. d. Merritt Of the Interior De-
partment. M o. Chance. auditor for the
Post Office Department. and w. w.
Chance Of the Post Office Department