1884.] ^< [Carson. 



that the correspondence was in no way to interfere with his operations, 

 he twice sent word to Lee's staff officer that the request could not be com- 

 plied with, and that he must withdraw from the ground at once. At this 

 time, he was in full sight on the road, not a hundred yards distant from 

 the head of the Second Corps. Humphreys at once formed his corps for 

 attack, the Sixth Corps formed on the right, which, at the moment It was 

 about to begin, was suspended by the arrival of General Meade, who 

 granted a truce for an hour. Hostilities were never resumed. The Great 

 Civil War was at an end. ^ 



These facts are sufficient to illustrate the relentless character of Hum- 

 phreys' pursuit, and attest his ability as a corps commander in handling 

 men worn out by hunger, fatigue, long marches and severe fighting. 

 They fitly close his active military services in the field. 



In the grand review of the Army of the Potomac, at "Washington, the 

 Second Corps participated, and one of the noticeable features of the occa- 

 sion was the appearance of General Humphreys' staff mounted upon 

 white horses, a delicate compliment to the noble grey who had carried 

 him so gallantly through the fatigues of the march and the perils of battle. 

 The old war-horse still lives, with but slight abatement of her wonted 

 spirit. 



General Humphreys was in command of the District of Pennsylvania, in 

 the Middle Department, from July 28 to December 9th, 1865. 



From December, 1805, to August of the following year, he was in 

 charge of the examination of the Mississippi levees, a work rendered 

 necessary by the neglect and damage of the war. 



On August 8, 1806, he was appointed to the command of the Corps of 

 Engineers, with the rank of Brigadier-General and Chief of Engineers, 

 serving in this capacity until his retirement from active service, at his own 

 request, on June 30, 1879. He thoroughly organized this branch of the 

 service. The work of the general office was divided into four divisions, 

 and an officer of special fitness placed in charge of each, while officers of 

 rank and experience were assigned to important districts and duties. 



He served as a Member of the Lighthouse Board, from 1870 to 1874 ; of 

 the Commission to examine into canal routes across the Isthmus connecting 

 North and South America, from 1872 to 1877 ; of the Board on -Washington 

 and Georgetown Harbor improvements from 1872 to 1873 ; of the Re- 

 vising Board of Bulkhead and Pier Line of Brooklyn from May, 1872, to 

 June, 1879, of Staten Island from August, 1878, to June, 1879, and of 

 Hudson river (Troy to Hudson), June, 1877, to June, 1879 ; of Board for 

 Survey of Baltimore Harbor and adjacent waters from May, 1876, to June, 

 1879 ; of the Washington Monument Commission from January, 1877, to 

 June, 1879 ; of the Advisory Board to Massachusetts Harbor Commis- 

 sioners from January, 1877, to June, 1879, and of the Examining Board of 

 Moline Water Power Company contracts during 1877.* 



In the civil duties appertaining to his profession he was as eminent as in 



* Statement of Services, ut supra. 



