476 MONTGOMERY CUNNINGHAM MEIGS. 
Tennessee, with their guns, their munitions of war, and all 
their impedimenta, ready for fighting, in the almost incredi¬ 
ble time of 8 days.” 
He served through the war with like signal skill, fidelity, 
and efficiency, and in 1864 received the well-earned title of 
brevet major general in the army. 
With the war, ends the most active part of his life and be¬ 
gins the gentle course of an always honored old age, devoted, 
among other occupations, to those in which we have known 
him as an associate here. 
He (from 1865) was a member of the National Academy 
of Sciences. He was one of the founders of the Philosophical 
Society, in 1871, having been a member of the Scientific Club, 
which preceded its organization. He was appointed, by joint 
resolution of Congress, in 1885, a regent of the Smithsonian 
Institution, and from his entrance into the board became an 
active member of its executive committee, all of which po¬ 
sitions he filled until his death, which occurred at his resi¬ 
dence, in this city, on the 2d of January of the present year, 
1892. 
Of General Meigs as a man, alike in external or in moral 
aspects, one can only speak in terms of respect. We have 
known him, even till his very last days, erect in his carriage, 
with a soldierly bearing which did not acknowledge the 
lapse of years, and a manner both dignified and engaging. 
In character, we have known one who was not only con¬ 
scientious and sagacious, but firm, when firmness tried every 
quality of a man, at a time when there were done great 
things, all which he saw and part of which he was, who 
remained to the last courteous in intercourse and most judi¬ 
cious in counsel, and who proved capable of ever}^ care laid 
upon him throughout the varied duties committed to him 
during his long and honored life. 
What more can we say, at its close, of this eminent and 
good servant of his country, than that he was a man faithful 
in all things ? 
S. P. Langley. 
