Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-10-07

personally participating IN many OF
its most important events, including the
capitulation at Yorktown.
One of the most important acts of
DR.. Craik during the War of the Revo-
luton was in connection with the ex-
pose of the Conway cabal against Gen.
Washington. His letter of warning to
his conmander-in-c chief on the subject
is one of the most valuable historical
documents of the period
At the cost of the war, he returned
to his home at Port Tobacco, but shortly
after, at the earnest solicitation of his
late chief, he removed to Alexandria,
near Mount Vernon, where he continued
in agreeable association with the WASH
ingtons until his death. In 1898, when
war with France seemed inevitable and
Washington was again summoned to
lead the army, he made the appoint
ment of Craik at the head of the medi-
cal department one of the conditions
Of his own acceptance of the command,
remarking, II have already been ap-
piled to by a gentleman, to recommend
him for director Of the hospital, which
I have refused, as well on general
grounds as because I should prefer my
years experience, is better qualified
Craik was accordingly commissioned
physician general of the Army, July
10, 1898, with the pay and emolumentS
of lieutenant colonel, but without rank.
With the proverbial negligence of mill
tary legislation, the act organizing the
provincial army provided only for regi
mental surgeons and surgeons mates.
Fortunately. however James McHenry.
the Secretary of War, had himself
served as a medical officer during the
Revolution and in him Craik found a
strong support In developing properly
organized medical establishment" an
act for the naturalization of which
was passed by Congress, March 2, 1899.
The determined attitude Of the United
States, her prompt resort to arms and
the temperance of her illustrious SOL
der at the head Of the army. however,
was sufficient to repress the warlike
ardor of France. and, peace speedily
between the two nations, the
army was disbanded, Physician General
Craik's services officially terminating on
June is, 1900
Long before the latter date, however,
he had returned to his beautiful Vir-
Ginia home, where in December, 1899,
it fell to his lot to close with his own
hand the dying eyes of his faithful and
famous friend, Gen. Washington.
OF that solemn hour, Craik himself
wrote: "I, who was bred amid scenes
of human calamity, who had SO often
death in its direst and most
awful forms, believed that its terrors
were too familiar to my eye to shake
my fortitude; but when saw this great
man die it seemed as If the bonds Of
my nature were rent asunder, and that
the pillar of my country'S happiness
had fallen to the ground"
Washingtons own testimony to the
relations between them was witnessed
by the clause of his will which specified
that: ITO my compatriot in arms, and
old and intimate friend, DR.. Craik,
give my bureau Cor as the cabinet
the circular chair, an appendage OF my
study"
Died in 1914.
DR.. Craik survived this event IS
years, the latter portion Of the time
in honored retirement, being remem-
bered by his grandson at this period as
a stout, hale, CHEEKY old man, perfectly
erect, fond Of company and Of children
and amusing himself with light work
in the garden" He remained vigorous
to the last and passed away February
6, 1914, at the age Of "a.
DIR. Craik, during his residence In
Alexandria, was q member Of the Old
Presbyterian Meeting House congrega-
ton and when he died at Vancleuse, the
country home of his nephew, he was
buried in the churchyard close by the
grave of the famous John Carlyle, an
other of his comrades In the French
and Indian Wars.
The tambour secretary which Physi-
clan General Craik was bequeathed by
George Washington, held for many
years a place of highest honor as at
once venerated relic Of an illustrious
ancestor and a memorial of the first
American, in Kanawha, the beautiful
country home of the Craik family near
Louisville, XIV. In recent years, how
ever, it has been placed by the Craik
descendants in the library at Mount
Vernon, where it may be seen today.