Page:The Biographical Dictionary of America, vol. 07.djvu/355

 MEIQS

MEIGS

1801, and first president of Franklin college (University of Georgia), 1801-11. The insti- tution at first had no huilding and held its ses- sions under an oak tree, and in 1803 built its first ooUege building. The college was not properly supported, altliough he graduated about fifty students and part of the term liad two assistant instructors. Upon hb resignation in 1811 the college exercises were suspended for one year on account of lack of funds. He was U.S. surveyor- general, 1812-14, and commissioner of the gen- eral land office at Washington, D.C., 1814-22. He was president of a school of classical culture, science and philosophy in Washington, D.C., 1819-21, and when the institution procured a cliarter from congress in 1821 as the Columbian college, he was named as one of the thirteen constituent trustees and was professor of exper- imental philosophy there, 1821-22. He died in W.'ushiiijrton, D.C., Sept. 4. 1822.

MEIQS, Montgomery Cunningham, soldier, was born in Augusta, Ga., May 3, 1816; son of Charles Delucena and Mary (Montgomery) Meigs, and gran<lson of Josiah Meigs (q.v.). He at- tended the University of Pennsylvania, 1831-32,

and was graduated from the U.S. Mili- tary academy in 1836, and assigned to the artillery. He was transferred to the corps of engineers as brevet 2d lieutenant, Nov. 1. 1836, but was reverted to liis origi- nal appointment as 2d lieutenant in the 1st artillery, Dec. 31,

1836. He was engag- ed on surveys of the Upper Mississippi in

1837, and on July 1, 1837, was again transferred to the engineer <3orps as brevet 2d lieutenant, and was pro- moted 1st lieutenant. July 7, 1838. He was a member of the board of engineer for Atlantic Coast defences, 18.39-41, and was superintending engineer of the building of Forts Delaware in 1841, Wayne. 1841-46, Porter and Ontario, 1846- 49, and Montgomery, 1850-52. He planned and constructed the aqueduct on the Potomac river from Great Falls, Md., to Washington, D.C., 1852-60; was promoted captain, March 3, 1853; engineered the extension of the capitol at Wash- ington, 1853-59, the extension of the U.S. post- office building, 18.55-.59. the repairs on Fort Madi- son, Md., 1854-(M), and the erection of Fort Jeffer- son, Tortugas, Fla.. 1860-61. He was api>ointed chief engineer to organize and conduct an

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exx)edition for the relief of Fort Pickens, Fla., April 13-23, 1861; was promoted colonel of the 11th infantry. May 14, 1861, and was commis- sioned brigadiei -general of staff and quarter- master-general, May 15, 1861. He was present at the battle of Bull Run, July 21, 1861; was a com- missioner to plan the defences of Washington. D.C., in October, 1862; and was on commissary duties, 1862-64. He was engaged in the Chatta- nooga campaign, November, 1863; commanded General Grants base of supplies at Belle Plain and Fredericksburg, Va., May 16-18, 1864; and was sent on a special mission to Bermuda Hun- dred, Va., May 21-26, 1864. He was brevetted major-general, July 5, 1864, for services dur- ing the war and commanded a brigade of quar- termasters" employes, forming a <li vision in the defence of Washington, D.C., July 11-14, 1864. He was stationed at Savannah, Ga., Jan. 5-29. 1865, equipping General Sherman's armies until the close of the war. He was stationed in Washing- ington until 1867, when he was given leave of absence and travelled in Europe for his health, 1867^^. He was again in Europe, 1875-76, to examine the organization of the European armies as a member of the commission for reform and re- organization of the army. He was a member of the board to prepare plans and specifications for the new war department building in 1866; for the National Museum in 1876; the hall of records in 1878, and was architect of the building for the pension bureau. He was retired from the army, Feb. 6, 1882. He was a member of the board of regents of the Smithsonian Institution. Wash- ington, D.C., and a member of the National Academy of Sciences. He was married to I»uisa, daughter of Commodore John Rodgers, U.S.N. He bequeathed many valuable curios, medals and coins to the U.S. government to be deposited in the National Museum. He died in Washing- ton. D.C., Jan. 2, 1892.

MEIQS, Return Jonathan, patriot, was born in Middletown, Conn., Dec. 17, 1740; son of Re- turn and Elizabeth (Hamlin) Meigs, and grandson of Janna and Hannah (Willard) Meigs. He commanded a company of militia in 1775, and on learning of the battle at Lexington, marched with his company to Boston, where he joine<l the patriot army. He was assigned to Benedict Arnold's command; was promoted major and served during the expedition to Canada and in the attack on Quebec, where he was taken pris- oner. In 1776 he returned to Connecticut and recruited a regiment of which he was made colonel in 1777. On May 23, 1777, he transported his force of 230 men from Guilford across Long Island Sound to Sag Harbor in twenty-five hours, eluded the British fleet, assaulted the British garrison at Sag Harbor, and captured nearly 100