Page:The Biographical Dictionary of America, vol. 08.djvu/78

 NEWTON

NEWTON

Ian in constructing the Stevens battery in 1871, and in 1872 became assistant engineer of the department of jniblic works in New York city under General McClellan. He was a member of the rapid transit commission, which establislied the system of elevated railroads. He was chief engineer of the department of public works in New York city, 1881-84, and inaugurated the new Croton aqueduct. He was a member of the Society of Mechanical Engineei-s and of the American Society of Civil Engineers. He died in New York city. Sept. 25, 1884.

NEWTON, John, soldier, was born in Norfolk, Va., Aug. 24, 1823; son of the Hon. Thomas Newton (q.v.). He attended the public schools and studied civil engineering under a private tutor. He was graduated from the U.S. I\Iilitary academy second in the class of 1842, and pro- moted 2d lieutenant of the corps of engineers, July 1, 1842. He was assistant professor of en- gineering at the U.S. Military academy, 1843-44, and principal assistant professor, 1844-46. He was assistant engineer in the construction of Fort Warren, Mass., in 1846, and of Fort Trumbull, Conn., 1846-49. He also superintended the con- struction of Fort Wayne, Mich., and of Forts Porter, Niagara and Ontario, N.Y., 1849-52. He was pronaoted 1st lieutenant. Oct. 16, 1852. and was engaged on the survej's for the breakwater at Owl's Head, Maine, 1852-53. and for the military improvements in Florida. 18.53-54. He engineered the construction of Forts Pulaski and Jackson, Georgia, 1854, and of fortifications at Pensacola, Fla., 1855-58. He was promoted captain, July 1, 1856, was chief engineer of the Utah ex- pedition of 1858, and was superintending en- gineer in the construction of Fort Mifflin, Del., 1858-61. In 1860 he was chosen a member of the special board of engineers on harbor defences, New York harbor. Upon the outbreak of the civil war in 1861 he was appointed chief en- gineer of the Department of Pennsylvania; ac- companied General Patterson's column into Virginia, and took part in the action of Falling Waters, Va., June 30, 1861. He was chief en- gineer of the department of the Shenandoah, July-August, 1S61, and was promoted major, Aug. 6. 1861, He was appointed brigadier-gen- eral of volunteers, Sept. 23, 1861, and served as assistant engineer on the defences, Washington, D.C., September, 1861, to March, 1862, at the same time commanding a brigade for the defence of the capital. He commanded the 3d brigade, 1st division, 6th corps, in the Army of the Potomac, and took part in the action at West Point, May 7, 1862: the battle of Gaines's Mill, June 27, 1862; the battle of Glendale, June 30, 1862, and covered the retreat of Pope's army from Bull Run to Washington, D.C., Sept. 1-2, 1862. He served in

the Maryland campaign, September-November, 1862, being engaged in the battle of South Moun- tain and receiving the brevet of lieutenant-colo- nel for gallant and meritorious services at the battle of Antietam, Sept. 17, 1862. He com- manded the 3d division, 6th corps. Army of the Potomac, at Fredericksburg and in the Chancel- loisville campaign, December, 1862-June, 1863, the successful assault upon the enemy at Marye's Heights, May 3, 1803, being under his direction. He was promoted major-general U.S. volun- teers, March 30, 1863; commanded his division at Gettysburg. July 1-3, 1863, wdiere after the death of General Reynolds he temporarily com- manded the 1st corps, and was brevetted colonel U.S.A. for gallant and meritorious ser- vices there. He commanded the 1st corps. Army of the Potomac, in the liapidan campaign, October-December, 1863; the 2d division, 4th army corps, Army of the Cumberland, May-vSep- tember, 1864, and took jjart in all the important engagements during the invasion of Georgia, in- cluding the seige and occupation of Atlanta, July-September, 1864. He was brevetted briga- dier-general U.S.A., March 13, 1865, for services at Peach Tree Creek and in the campaign against Atlanta, Ga., and was brevetted major-general, U.S. volunteers and major-general U.S.A., March 13, 1865, for services in the field during the war. He was transferred to the command of the dis- trict of Key West and Tortugas in October, 1864, and commanded the entire state of Florida, June 19-Aug. 7, 1865; the district of middle Florida and the sub-districts of west Florida and Key West, Aug. 7-Nov. 6, 1865, and the districts of southern, western and middle Florida, Nov. 6, 1865, to Jan. 24, 1866. He was promoted lieuten- ant-colonel, corps of engineers, Dec. 28, 1865; was mustered out of volunteer service, Jan. 15, 1866; was promoted colonel U.S.A., June 30, 1879, and on March 6. 1884, was made chief of engineers with rank of brigadier-general. U.S.A. He had charge of the construction of the new batteiy near Fort Hamilton, N.Y., and of Fort Hancock, Sandy Hook, N.J., and was a member of the board of engineers appointed to carry out in de- tail the modifications of the defences in the vicin- ity of New York, 1866-67. He was in charge of the removal of obstructions from the channel at Hell Gate, East River, N.Y., and conceived and carried out the plan of the removal of the rocks at Hallett's Point bj- submarine mining and blasting, the mines being successfully ex- ploded at Hallett's Point, Sept. 24, 1876, and at Flood Rock, Oct. 10, 1885. He was retired Aug. 27, 1886; wassuperintendentof public works 1887- 88, and a member of the National Academy of Sciences and the American Society of Civil En- gineers. He died in New York city. May 1. 1895.