OBITUARY. BRIGADIER-GENERAL JAMES ST. CLAIR MORTON. JAMES ST. CLAIR MORTON, son of the distinguished physician and naturalist, Dr. Samuel George Morton, was born in Philadelphia, in the year 1829. The rare qualities of mind which he exhibited at a very early age were nurtured and fostered by his father, and the habits of industry and study thus acquired in his youth eminently qualified him for the severe tasks and brilliant career of his later life. Entered as a Cadet at West Point, he graduated in June, 1851, second in a class of forty-two members, and was commissioned second-lieutenant of engineers. From August 18th, 1851, to May, 1852, he was on duty as assistant to the officer in charge of the military defences in Charleston Harbor. From May, 1852, to September, 1855, he was assistant to the officer in charge of construction of Fort Delaware. From September, 1855, to June, 1857, he was stationed at West Point, N. Y., as acting-assistant professor of civil and military engineering at the Academy. From June, 1857, to March, 1858, he was assistant engineer in construction of fortifications at Sandy Hook, entrance to the harbor of New York. From March, 1858, to July, 1859, he was on duty under the Treasury Department, as engineer Third Light-House District, extending from Gooseberry Point, Massachusetts, to Squam Inlet, New Jersey. From July, 1859, to July, 1860, he was in charge of the Potomac Water-Works, after which he was assigned to duty under the Navy Department, as engineer of the "Chiriqui Expedition," which was undertaken in August, 1860, and concluded in November, of the same year; following this he was engineer in charge of the construction of the Washington Aqueduct. From April, 1861, to March, 1862, engineer in charge of the construction of Fort Jefferson, Tortugas, Florida. Recovering from a fever contracted while in Central America, he was assigned to the engineering operations at Fort Mifflin. Reporting capable for field duty, he was ordered to report in person, in May, 1862, to Major-General Halleck, and by him ordered to report to General Buell, commanding the Army of the Ohio, and appointed engineer-in-chief of that army. At about this time General Buell commenced his retreat, for the purpose of intercepting Bragg in his advance towards Louisville. The necessity of abandoning Nashville becoming a question of vital importance, Captain Morton was called upon for his opinion, as chief-engineer, which he gave to the effect that with the aid of the fortifications he had already constructed and those he could construct before attack could be made, the place might be held by a comparatively small force. The result proved the correctness of this opinion, for, an attack having been made, the works were found by the enemy so formidable in their character as to preclude all possibility of success, and they were forced to retire with some loss, without even an attempt to storm. By this time five forts were completed, and a line of intrenchments, extending around the city; the minor points being defended by cotton-bales. Soon after the arrival of General Rosecrans at Nashville, Captain Morton was charged with the organization of the "Pioneer Brigade," a body composed of details of twenty men from each regiment of the Army of the Cumberland, which, in three days after reporting for duty, were ordered to march on Murfreesboro. Their services at the battle of Stone River, called forth the following eulogium from the Commanding General in his official report:-- "Among the lesser commands which deserve special mention for distinguished service in the battle is the Pioneer Corps, a body of seventeen hundred (1,700) men, composed of details from the companies of each infantry regiment, organized and instructed by Captain James St. Clair Morton, Corps of Engineers, Chief Engineer of this army, which marched as an infantry brigade with the left wing, making bridges at Stewart's Creek, prepared and guarded the fort at Stone River, on the nights of the 29th and 30th, supported Stoke's battery, and fought with valor and determination on the 31st, holding its position until relieved; on the morning of the 2d advancing with the greatest promptitude and gallantry to support Van Cleve's Division against the attack on our left; on the evening of the same day, constructing a bridge and batteries between that time and Saturday evening. The efficiency and esprit de corps suddenly developed in this command, its gallant behavior in action, the eminent service it is continually rendering the army, entitle both officers and men to special public notice and thanks, while they reflect the highest credit on the distinguished ability and capacity of Captain Morton, who will do honor to his promotion to brigadier-general, which the President has promised him.” Immediately following the battle, Captain Morton was appointed brigadier-general of volunteers, and afterwards confirmed by the Senate. During the six months that the army remained at Murfreesboro, General Morton was engaged in the construction of the immense and impregnable fortifications of that place, known as Fortress Rosecrans, consisting of a series of lunettes, some three miles in circuit, interiorly commanded by strong redoubts containing block-houses, mounted with heavy guns. General Morton accompanied the army in its advance from Murfreesboro to Chattanooga, continually employed in the construction and repair of roads and bridges, destroyed by the enemy in his retreat. Upon the capture of Chattanooga, he immediately commenced the construction of the fortifications of that city, which proved so efficient in sheltering our army upon its retreat after the battle of Chickamauga, where he was wounded. When General Rosecrans was relieved, General Morton was ordered to report for duty at the Engineer Bureau, as major of engineers. His subsequent movements and death are detailed by Major General Parke, commanding Ninth Corps, as follows: "Lieutenant-Colonel ADAM BADEAU, "HEAD-QUARTERS, NINTH ARMY CORPS, } Military Secretary, Head-Quarters, Armies of the United States. "COLONEL :-In reply to your communication of the 28th inst., asking the particulars of the death of Major James St. Clair Morton, Engineer Corps, I have the honor to inform you that that officer reported to Major-General Burnside, then commanding the Ninth Corps, for duty as engineer, on the 18th of May, 1864, while the army was at Spottsylvania. From that date, to the 17th June, he performed the arduous and dangerous duties of his position, with an activity, zeal, and ability, which often called forth the praise of his Commanding General. He was noted in the corps for his personal gallantry, and in the attack made by General Ledlie's Brigade, First Division, at the North Anna, he took a conspicuous part, narrowly escaping death, as a bullet tore through his hat. On the morning of the 17th June, he received orders from General Burnside to place the troops making the assault in their proper position, and to direct at what point they should strike the enemy's works. When this had been accomplished, feeling deeply interested in the success of the movement, he went forward with General Hartranft, com manding the attacking brigade. When it was evident the attack had failed, he was retiring with the troops when he was struck in the breast by a rifle-ball and mortally wounded. Captain Shadley, Acting Aide to General Hartranft, immediately went to him, but I believe he expired without a word. "In his death this corps and his country lost a valuable officer, and his memory will long be cherished among those who were fortunate enough to have known him. "I have the honor to be, very respectfully, "Your obedient servant, "JOHN G. PARKE, "Major-General Commanding." Thus he fell, closing an eventful and brilliant career, in the thirty-fifth year of his age. In person he was tall, graceful, and commanding; in disposition confiding and generous, ever winning the respect, confidence, and admiration of those with whom he chanced to be thrown. He contributed to military science the following works:-" Memoir on Sea Coast Defences," "American Fortification," "Dangers and Defences of New York City." THE PAY OF OFFICERS. A CORRESPONDENT of high rank in the Army sends us the following proposed schedule for officers' yearly salaries, in lieu of the present arrangement of distinct pay, rations, &c., &c. :— OFFICIAL INTELLIGENCE. The Army. Appointments Confirmed by the Senate. TO BE MAJOR-GENERALS OF VOLUNTEERS. Brigadier and Brevet Major-General Alfred H. Terry, January 15, 1865. Brigadier and Brevet Major-General George Crook, October 21, 1864. Brigadier-General Thomas J. Wood, vice Crittenden, resigned. TO BE MAJOR-GENERALS OF VOLUNTEERS BY BREVET. Brigadier-Generals Charles R. Woods and John M. Corse, U S. Vols., October 5, 1864. Brigadier-General Giles A. Smith, U. S. Vols., September 1, 1864. Brigadier-Generals M. D. Leggett, John W. Geary, and John E. Smith, U. S. Vols., January 12, 1865. Brigadier-Generals A. S. Williams, Judson Kilpatrick, and Absalom Baird, U. S. Vols., January 12, 1865. Brigadier-General William F. Barry, U. S. Vols., September 1, 1864. Brigadier-General Rufus Saxton, U. S. Vols., January 12, 1865. Brigadier-General Adelbert Ames, U. S. Vols., January 15, 1865. Rrigadier-General John M. Brannan, U. S. Vols., January 23, 1865. Brigadier-General Nelson A. Miles, U. S. Vols., August 25, 1864. Brigadier-General Alfred T. A. Torbert, U. S. Vols., August 1, 1864. VOL III.-19. Brigadier-General Thomas W. Egan, U. S. Vols., October 27, 1864. TO BE BRIGADIER-GENERALS OF VOLUNTEERS. Colonel John D. Stevenson, of Missouri, from November 29, 1863. Colonel John B. McIntosh, 3d Pennsylvania Cavalry, July 21, 1864. Colonel Charles R. Lowell, 2d Massachusetts Cavalry, and Captain in the 6th U. S. Cavalry, October 19, 1864 (since died of wounds received in battle). Colonel William H. Powell, 2d Virginia Cavalry, October 19, 1864. Colonel Thomas C. Devin, 6th New York Cavalry, October 19, 1864. Colonel Alfred Gibbs, 1st New York Dragoons, and Captain in the 3d United States Cavalry, October 19, 1864. Colonel Ronalds McKenzie, 2d Connecticut Artillery, and Captain in the United States Corps of Engineers, October 19, 1864. Colonel R. B. Hays, 23d Ohio, October 19, 1864. Colonel James R. Stack, 47th Indiana, November 10, 1864. Lieutenant-Colonel Joseph A. Haskins, Major in the 3d United States Artillery, August 5, 1864. Colonel James D. Fessenden, August 8, 1864. Colonel Daniel D. Bidwell, 49th New York, August 11, 1864 (since killed in battle). Colonel Eli Long, 4th Ohio Cavalry, Captain 4th U. S. Cavalry, August 18, 1864. Colonel Thomas A. Smyth, 1st Delaware, October 1, 1864. Colonel Thomas J. Lucas, 16th Indiana Mounted Infantry, November 10, 1864. Colonel Patrick H. Jones, 154th New York. Colonel Joshua B. Howell, 85th Pennsylvania, September 12, 1864 (since died). Colonel Charles C. Doolittle, 18th Michigan. Lieutenant-Colonel William IIartstuff, Assistant Inspector-General Twenty-third Army Corps. Colonel James Gilbert, 27th Iowa, February 9, 1865. Colonel R. K. Scott, 68th Ohio, January 12. 1865. Colonel James J. Gilbert, 27th Iowa Vols., February 9, 1865, vice D. McM. Gregg, resigned. TO BE BRIGADIER-GENERALS OF VOLUNTEERS BY BREVET. Colonel H. C. Hobart, 21st Wisconsin Volunteers, January 12, 1865. Colonel S. H. Roberts, 139th New York Volunteers, October 28, 1864. Colonel Wager Swayne, 43d Ohio Vols., February 5, 1865. Colonel Clark R. Weaver, 17th Iowa Vet. Volunteer Infantry, February 9, 1865. Colonel David Shunk, 8th Indiana Volunteer Infantry, February 9, 1865. Colonel William R. Brewster, 73d New York Volunteers, December 2, 1864. Colonel William H. Madill, 141st Pennsylvania Volunteers, December 2, 1864. Colonel John Ramsey, 8th New Jersey Volunteers, December 2, 1864. |