<p style="text-align:center"><strong>FRANCIS J. CRILLY</strong></p><p style="text-align:center"><strong>No. 1839 · Class of 1859</strong></p><p style="text-align:center"><strong>Died January 25, 1908, at Philadelphia, Pa., aged 71 years.</strong></p><p>And so in old Philadelphia, where he was born January 21, 1837, and lived so long, which plain old city he loved so much, has passed quietly away to the haven of all good men, my dear, dear old friend, Colonel Crilly. The tears come unbidden as memory carries me back to the trials and tribulations of our plebe and yearling years at old West Point. How well I recall the sight of Crilly, the lone student, starting off Sunday morning to march himself to Buttermilk Falls to attend mass-certainly then a Catholic hero. Little did the writer then think that within a very few years he would be wandering off alone, oh, how lonely! to the conscience-sought field of Christian safety-the Roman Catholic church.</p><p>It is impossible for the Catholic millions of this generation in which the church holds such a high, honorable and weighty position, to appreciate the lone position of its scattered thousands in the early fifties of the last century.</p><p>Colonel Crilly was the son of Henry and Jane (Killion) Crilly, who were both born in Ireland, and immigrated to this country in their early years. Henry Crilly, father of Colonel Crilly, was a soldier in Captain Duane's company in the War of 1812. He died aged 74 years, May 16th, 1867. At the time of his death he was manager of the Beneficial Saving Fund Society of Philadelphia. Henry Crilly and Jane (Killion) Crilly were married September 25th, 1834, at St. Mary's, Philadelphia, by Bishop F. P. Kendrick.</p><p>Colonel Crilly was educated in various schools in Philadelphia. He was attending the old Philadelphia High School at the time he was appointed a cadet in the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. He had entered the school February 14th, 1851, and left June 13th, 1854, before graduating, in order to enter West Point. He was preparing to study medicine. Colonel Crilly entered West Point as cadet July 1st, 1854. The class entering in 1854 was divided as to age; all under eighteen years forming the new fifth class. The two classes studied together for two years, after which additional studies as Spanish language, history, army regulations (which were given as punishment for appealing against being required to remain five years), were given the younger class. Colonel Crilly graduated July 1, 1859, and was appointed Brevet Second Lieutenant in the Fifth U.S. Infantry, July 1st, 1859; Second Lieutenant Seventh U.S. Infantry, August 31st, 1859; First Lieutenant Eighteenth U.S. Infantry, May 14th, 1861; served in garrison at Columbus, N.Y., 1859-60; on frontier duty on Navajo expedition, 1860-61; Fort Filmore, New Mexico, 1861; captured while serving under command of Major Lynde at San Augustine Springs, N.M., July 27th, 1861; exchanged August 27th, 1862; Regimental Quartermaster, September 7th, 1861, to February 9th, 1863; served during the rebellion of the seceding states, 1861-66 (First Lieutenant Seventh Infantry, May 7th, 1861, to January 2nd, 1863); in garrison at Jefferson Barracks, Mo., and on Niagara frontier, November 1861, to October 1862; in Maryland campaign (Army of the Potomac), October-November 1862, being engaged in the march to Falmouth, Va., October-November 1862; Snicker's Gap, November 4th, 1862; on sick leave December 1862, to January 1863; A. A. Q. M. Portsmouth Grove, R.I., February 7th to 19th, 1863; Captain A. Q. M., February 19th, 1863; reported to Major Van Vliet; purchasing and disbursing Quartermaster, New York City, May 27th, 1863, to October 17th, 1864; and as Chief Quartermaster at Nashville, Tenn., of military railroads in the west, December 1864, to February 5th, 1865; assistant to director and general manager of the United States military railroads at Washington, D.C., in closing up the business thereof, February 7th, 1865, to July 31st, 1866, and in charge of the same July 31st, 1866, to July 1st, 1867; and in charge of Fourth Division of Quartermaster General office in Washington, D.C., July 1st to August 19th, 1867; as Chief Quartermaster of Post, Depot and District of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, August 24th, 1867, to November 26th, 1868; as Quartermaster Fort Dodge, Kansas, December 6th, 1868, to January 12th, 1869; on leave to February 8th, 1869. Resigned February 8th, 1869. Brevetted Major, Lieutenant Colonel and Colonel, March 13th, 1865, for faithful and meritorious services during the war.</p><p>Colonel Crilly was married to Miss Mary Frances Gibson, daughter of Alfred C. Gibson and Rosana (McAvoy) Gibson (all of Philadelphia), in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, September 27th, 1866. They had one son, Alfred Gibson Crilly, born December 19th, 1866, who died May 18th, 1893, and one daughter, Cecilia, born subsequently, who survives her father.</p><p>Colonel Crilly's record as a Lieutenant whilst serving with troops in the Indian country, on the Canadian frontier, and subsequently in the Army of the Potomac (the greater part of the time as Quartermaster of his regiment), was of the very best. Upon this record he was recommended for a staff position with increased rank, which he obtained in February 1863. He was, immediately upon his appointment as Assistant Quartermaster, ordered to report as purchasing and disbursing Quartermaster at New York City, where the duties of a Quartermaster were not only onerous, but very responsible. His disbursements amounted to many millions. That he performed his duties ably and to the perfect satisfaction of his superiors, is shown by the following letter from his superior officer at New York, General Stewart Van Vliet, upon Colonel Crilly's being ordered to duty with the armies in the west.</p><p>Quartermaster's Office, New York, Nov. 1, 1864. General L. C. Eustace: My Dear Eustace:-I want to make you acquainted with my friend, Captain Crilly, of our Department, who has been with me for the last two years but who is now much to my regret, ordered to report to you. You will find the Captain an accomplished gentleman and one of the most efficient and competent officers in our Department. He is a graduate, and I want you to give him a fair chance and I will guarantee that he will win eagles for his shoulders. * * * Your friend, STEWART VAN VLIET.</p><p>Colonel Crilly's services in connection with the management and subsequent transfer of the military railroads in the west to their owners, were so distinguished and important that it is thought justifiable to quote at some length from official documents.</p><p>Colonel Crilly was appointed Chief Quartermaster of the railroads operated by the United States in accordance with an order issued by General J. L. Donaldson, by direction of the Secretary of War, December 10th, 1864, relieving both Colonel John C. Crane, a volunteer Quartermaster, and Major Asher R. Eddy, Quartermaster U.S. army.</p><p>He immediately entered on the performance of his duties. He found general dissatisfaction, owing to the malfeasance of Colonel Crane, who was subsequently dismissed from the service; also the antipathy of the railroad officials to Major Eddy in consequence of his efforts to have them make regular accounting, as was properly required by the U.S. Treasury Auditors.</p><p>Colonel Crilly, by diplomatic action, obtained the confidence and friendly co-operation of the railroad officials, and they gladly conceded all that was necessary for compliance with the treasury regulations.</p><p>This good feeling was expressed by Mr. W. J. Stevens, the General Superintendent, in his annual report dated July 1st, 1865. He concluded his report, as follows: "With F. J. Crilly, the efficient and gentlemanly Chief Quartermaster of military railroads, my relations have been most pleasant, while the co-operation of Major General Thomas and General Donaldson has always been harmonious with the railroad authorities." See official record of the war, series III, volume V, serial number 126, page 92.</p><p>The railroads were acquired by capture, as the Union troops advanced, and were used as a means of transportation instead of wagon trains. They being single track roads, their capacity was largely increased by the laying of sidings. In no other way could they have performed the work required of them.</p><p>The ordinary expense of this was, of course, enormous, but some of this could be cut down, a work to which Colonel Crilly at once addressed himself.</p><p>This was recognized by General Donaldson, Chief Quartermaster of the Army of the Cumberland, in a letter to General Meigs, Quartermaster General of the army, dated March 20th, 1865.</p><p>"Captain Crilly does well. He does a vast amount of work without noise or labor, and has reduced the expenses of the department very much. Depend upon it, he is very able. He suffers terribly for funds, and to save the railroads almost from stopping, I have advanced him this morning $300,000." See records of the war, series I, volume XLIX, serial number 104, page 35.</p><p>The amount received by him for the year ending June 30th, 1865, nearly all of which was disbursed for the maintenance of the military railroads in the military division of the Mississippi, from December 10th, 1864, to June 30th, 1865, was $15,567,808.37. See war records, series III, volume V, serial number 126, page 472, 473, 474.</p><p>For the vast amount of material turned over to the railroads there had been no returns made. On application of Colonel Crilly, a Board of Survey, consisting of officers of high rank, was convened by order of General Sherman.</p><p>The property officer, Captain S. R. Hamill, appeared before this board with an inventory of all the property that could be found scattered over nearly eleven hundred miles of road and in the railroad supply store at Nashville. The balance of the property for which Captain Hamill was still responsible consisted of cars, locomotives, engines and every conceivable article necessary to the operation, which had been destroyed by the enemy.</p><p>After hearing all the evidence in the matter, they relieved Captain Hamill of his responsibilities, and their action was approved by General Sherman, thus enabling him to start fresh with the property known to be on hand.</p><p>The roads were operated with great success under the able superintendence of Mr. W. J. Stevens, under enormous difficulties, during and prior to the Battle of Nashville.</p><p>The roads having been destroyed by the enemy several times were so quickly repaired by Colonel W. W. Wright, the Chief Engineer, as to excite the wonder and admiration of the world.</p><p>The complete collapse after the surrender of General Lee had rendered service of the roads for military purposes unnecessary.</p><p>This was recognized by General Meigs in his letter to the Secretary of War.</p><p>The matter was finally acted on by the executive order of August 8th, 1865, issued by Andrew Johnson, President of the United States, relating to the transfer of the roads centering at Nashville, which was subsequently extended by an executive order of October 14th, 1865, to the roads in the surrounding states. Series III, volume 5, page 355, 356, 357.</p><p>These orders were sent to General George H. Thomas, commanding the Army of the Cumberland, who referred the orders to Colonel Crilly for execution, excepting that portion which referred to the loyalty of the board of directors, and the appointment of the board of appraisement, on which General Thomas acted himself.</p><p>The executive orders of August 8th, 1865, and October 14th, 1865, referred to, were as follows:</p><p>War Department, Washington, August 8th, 1865. Major-General George H. Thomas, Commanding Military Division of the Tennessee, Nashville, Tenn.: General:-It having been determined by the Government to relinquish control over all railroads in the State of Tennessee and their continuations in adjoining States that have been in charge of and are now occupied by the U.S. military authorities and no longer needed for military purposes, you are hereby authorized and directed to turn over the same to the respective owners thereof at as early a date as practicable causing in all cases of transfer as aforesaid the following regulations to be observed and carried out: * * * * * * * * * By order of the President. EDWIN H. STANTON, Secretary of War.</p><p>War Department, Washington, D.C., October 14, 1865. Major-General George H. Thomas, Commanding Military Division of the Tennessee, Headquarters, Nashville, Tenn.: General:-The provisions and benefits of the Executive orders of eighth of August are hereby extended to all railroads within the limits of your command desiring to purchase rolling stock and material from the United States for the purpose of repairing the losses of the war. You are also authorized to direct the sale to any such railroads of rolling stock now within the limits of your command and not needed by the United States for actual use. * * * * * * By order of the President. E. M. STANTON, Secretary of War.</p><p>All the property scattered over the several lines of railroads was brought into Nashville and stored there ready for sale.</p><p>As soon as General Thomas notified Colonel Crilly that the companies had been reorganized, they were allowed to make their selections of property.</p><p>The amount of property sold under the foregoing orders was $6,126,766.62.</p><p>So quickly was the transfer of the roads and the sales of property effected that it received universal commendation.</p><p>The management of railroads under the military authorities in the west and south had been so extensive and so successful over immense distances, that the attention of the military authorities of Europe was called to it, and these authorities (after our war was over) were desirous of obtaining official information in regard thereto. In reply to such request from the Russian government, our government ordered a report to be made in accordance with such request. Colonel Crilly was directed by General Rucker Acting Quartermaster General to prepare such report.</p><blockquote><p>"U.S. Military Railroad Office, Washington, D.C., August 17, 1866. Brevet Major-General D. H. Rucker, Acting Quartermaster-General U.S.A., Washington, D.C.: General: I have the honor to return herewith the letter of the Hon. C. M. Clay, Minister to Russia, to the Hon. Secretary of War, referred to me on the 22nd of June with instructions "to prepare report with accompanying documents and transmit them to your office" and to present the following report: The whole subject of transportation pertaining to the Army of the United States is intrusted to the Quartermaster's Department of the Army. The transportation by rail being the most expeditious means of moving bodies of troops, it has consequently been the endeavor of the Department to render available to their utmost capacity the several existing lines of railroad. Transportation by rail during the late Rebellion was provided "either by making use of railroads operated by the companies" paying them a certain uniform fixed rate per man or per pound of freight or "by seizing and operating existing railroads in the States which were in Rebellion," or "by constructing, stocking, and running new lines to meet the exigencies of military operations." At a very early period in the Rebellion the President of the United States was by authority of Congress empowered to take possession of all railroad and telegraph lines which might in his judgment become necessary for the successful prosecution of military operations. Owing to the prompt and efficient working of these lines by the respective companies, advantage was not taken of this authority by the Government except in the immediate vicinity of the Seat of War, where the roads had been abandoned by the companies or were being operated for the benefit of the Rebellion, or where by the complete destruction of their rolling stock, machinery, etc., they were unable themselves to operate them successfully. The entire management of roads of this latter class known as "U.S. Military Railroads," was committed to a special department, under the control of the officer known as the General Manager and Director of Military Railroads of the United States. All the expenses incurred were however expended and drawn from the appropriation of the Quartermaster's Department. The first paragraph of the letter to which this is a reply desires "A statisque table as detailed as possible concerning the movements of the troops in large numbers by rail, before and during the campaign, with the indication of the number of carriages, and of what sort; the force and composition of the trains; the apparatus used for loading and unloading the material and the process of transportation the men from place to place." * * * * * * * * * * I may mention the following as the more important of these movements, to-wit.: The transfer by rail of the Eleventh and Twelfth Army Corps, 22,000 strong, with all the material of war in the autumn of 1863 from Catlett's Station, on the Orange and Alexandria Railroad, in Virginia, to Bridgeport on the Tennessee River, Alabama, a distance of 1,166 miles. The first detachment left Catlett's Station on the 23rd of September and arrived at Bridgeport on the 1st of October. The average time of moving the two Corps being about eight days. The troops with their batteries, etc., were required to change cars several times on the route, owing to the difference of guage on the roads over which they passed, also in crossing the Ohio River at a point where there was no bridge. The Twenty-Third Army Corps moved from Clifton on the Tennessee River to Washington, D.C., in January 1865. The Corps numbered 17,000 men and with all their artillery, baggage, etc., were transported 1,400 miles in midwinter in an average of 11 days, about one-half the distance being by water. A detailed report of the transfer of this Corps will be found on page 32 of the Annual Report of the Quartermaster-General for 1865, rendered by General L. B. Parson of the Quartermaster's Department, the officer charged with the superintendence of the transportation used. I might also mention the movement of the Fourth Army Corps, 19,111 strong, from Greenville Station, East Tennessee, to Nashville, Tennessee, 373 miles, employing 1,498 cars; * * * * * * * * The carriages used by the railroad companies for the transportation of troops were in general the ordinary passenger cars used on the respective roads, capable of seating about 60 persons. In some cases where large bodies of troops were moved, and the roads were pushed to their utmost capacity, they were obliged to resort to the common box freight cars. These latter are about 28 feet long and 8 feet wide, and capable of holding 40 men. On the roads operated exclusively by the United States, these box freight cars were used almost entirely, for the reason that they could be most advantageously used for either troops or supplies. The trains usually consisted of from 20 to 40 cars drawn by one engine, except when heavy grades were to be overcome, then an additional engine was attached, or the train divided. The material was unloaded from the cars by men employed for that purpose or detailed from the Army when necessity required it. No mechanical appliances were used except in the case of heavy guns, engines, etc., then the ordinary derrick, or gin, was usually found sufficient, sometimes, however, it was necessary to build platforms, lay tracks thereon and roll the guns, engines, etc., from or upon the cars. * * * * * * * * The only instance in which a new railroad was constructed for the immediate use of the Army operating against a fortified place, was the building of the City Point and Army line to supply the Army operating against Richmond and Petersburg. This was commenced on the 1st of September and on the 10th nine miles were put in operation. This road was extended from time to time, as the lines of the Army were extended until 213 1/2 miles of track had been built with the necessary sidings, warehouses, engine and repair shops. This road was built in the rear of the Union lines with branch roads to the various points where camps had been established, so near was this road to the rebel lines in places that a high embankment had to be thrown up to protect the cars against the shot and shell of the enemy."</p></blockquote><p>A few extracts from official records of commendation are taken to show in what great esteem Colonel Crilly was held by his commanding officers:</p><p>Extract from annual report of General Donaldson, Nashville, June 30th, 1865:</p><blockquote><p>"Captain F. J. Crilly, A. Q. M., U.S.A., was under my orders as Disbursing Officer, U.S. Military Railroads, Military Division, Mississippi. He performed these responsible duties satisfactorily, disbursing a vast amount of public money with discretion and dispatch, bringing his office down to an admiral system, and displaying large administrative abilities, abilities which were invaluable in his position, as it was a new field, and he could have easily saved or squandered a million and no one would be the wiser."</p></blockquote><blockquote><p>"Headquarters, Military Division of the Tennessee, Nashville, Tenn., January 4th, 1865. Hon. Edwin M. Stanton, Secretary of War, Washington, D.C.: I have the honor to recommend the promotion of Brevet-Major F. J. Crilly, Captain and Assistant Quartermaster, U.S.A., to the rank of Colonel, U.S.A., by brevet and invite attention to the enclosed summary of his services as Disbursing and Chief Quartermaster, U.S. Military Railroads, as indisputable evidence of his ability and merit. As Major Crilly has been in the discharge of onerous and important duties immediately under my supervision and personal observation, I can fully attest his efficiency and faithfulness at all times, and can intelligently commend him for the energetic performance of his duties as a Disbursing Officer, as well as for his watchfulness in the protection of the interests of the Government of the United States. The duty of transferring the property of the United States Military Railroads in this Military Division, to the hands of the companies formerly operating these roads, fell directly upon Major Crilly, acting upon my orders, in fulfillment of which he has given entire satisfaction. I respectfully recommend that the Brevet of Colonel, U.S.A. be therefore conferred upon him. I am, sir, very respectfully, Your obedient servant, GEO. H. THOMAS, Major-General, U.S.A., Commanding."</p></blockquote><p>Headquarters, Department of the Tennessee, Office of Assistant Adjutant-General, Louisville, Ky., Nov. 19, 1866. Colonel F. J. Crilly, Washington, D.C.: Colonel: By direction of Major-General Thomas, I have the honor to enclose a recommendation to the Honorable Secretary of War that you be promoted to the grade of Major in the Quartermaster's Department. I am, very respectfully, Your obedient servant, S. C. KELLOGG.</p><blockquote><p>"Captain F. J. Crilly was an Assistant Quartermaster during the war against the Rebellion, and is best recommended by me now as an officer having at Nashville while that city was the base of operations of the armies operating to South and Southwest, very great responsibilities in money and in material of war. He performed his duties with zeal and intelligence, and held a very high place in my confidence and regard. * * * M. C. MEIGS, Quartermaster-General, U.S.A., (Retired)."</p></blockquote><p>Colonel Crilly, upon resigning his commission in the regular army, went into business in Philadelphia. In 1868 he succeeded his father as manager of the Beneficial Saving Fund Society of Philadelphia, was elected President March 1883; was President of the company at the time of his decease. Colonel Crilly was not only a thoroughly good and successful business man, but a consistent member of the Roman Catholic church.</p><p>He was of a most cheery and sociable disposition, a most clubable man, devoting much of his time to kind works for his friends and neighbors. His hospitality was famous, and he was extremely popular in all his clubs and associations-a most loving and devoted friend and father. He was one of the incorporators and trustees of the Roman Catholic High School of Philadelphia, free institution for the higher education of boys.</p><p>He was a most "clubable" man, and was a member of the Philadelphia, Rabbit and Catholic Clubs of Philadelphia; Union, and Army and Navy of New York; Metropolitan of Washington, D.C., and of the "Loyal Legion," Philadelphia Commandery. Colonel Crilly was appointed a member of the Board of Visitors to West Point by Mr. Cleveland in 1890.</p><p>The following resolutions were passed by the Board of Managers of the Beneficial Saving Fund Society:</p><blockquote><p>"The Board of Managers of the Beneficial Saving Fund Society have learned with profound sorrow of the death of the late President, Colonel Francis J. Crilly, on Saturday, January 25th, 1908. A graduate of West Point, after a distinguished career in the army, he resigned at the close of the Civil War to engage in commercial life, succeeding his father, the late Henry Crilly, in 1868. As a member of the Board, for forty years, both as Manager and as President, he ever displayed a warm and active interest in the welfare and prosperity of the society. Of extensive experience in business affairs, and a thorough knowledge of mankind, he brought to the discharge of his duties, a mature judgment, and a far-seeing caution that were of inestimable value to this society. His courtly manners and sunny disposition made intercourse and association with him a pleasure to those who came into business or social contact with him."</p></blockquote><p>The following letter is from Dr. Henry, President of the Roman Catholic High School:</p><blockquote><p>"Roman Catholic High School, Broad and Vine Streets, Philadelphia, Pa., March 4, 1908. Miss Crilly: Your very kind letter announcing your gift of maps to accompany the war records previously donated to our library by your father, came to hand this morning. * * * I wish to thank you very cordially for your thoughtful kindness, and also for your words of appreciation of the appearance and behavior of the High School students who attended the Requiem Mass. I am especially pleased to know this, as the boys were not supervised in any way, but merely instructed to go to the church and wait there to be assigned to pews. I had previously spoken to the whole body of students of the deep debt owed by the High School to the untiring energy and intimate interest exercised by Colonel Crilly, through so many years, in behalf of the Catholic High School, and I cannot but feel that they were impressed, and will bear, as I do, a green and fragrant memory thereof throughout life. Believe me, Very sincerely yours, J. HENRY."</p></blockquote><p>The foregoing short account of my dear friend's career in the service of his country shows him to have been quiet and unassuming, but perfectly competent in whatever position he was placed. It can readily be seen that when he gave up the military life at the end of a long war, he was prepared in spirit, information and capacity to make an honorable and marked place in civil life.</p><p>The resolutions of his companion managers in a large financial institution carefully express the impression made upon his business associates.</p><p>Whilst my dear friend was duly appreciated by his commanding officers in the military service, and his business acumen justly valued by his associates in business, the most conspicuous and best known trait of his character was only brought out by his friends, his beloved companions and his family relations.</p><p>No friend or acquaintance of the writer was in any degree the equal of my dear friend Crilly in hospitality, or in the capacity and desire of making a guest happy and feeling at home. His intimate friends and companions called him the "Ideal Host." Whether entertaining a quiet party of friends in his city house, or making life beautiful and enjoyable beyond belief to a large house party at his country residence, he was the ideal gentleman and host. One by one my dear classmates have passed to the great majority until but three of us remain. I had hoped that my dear friend Crilly would have been left, so that we might go together. May a kind Providence bring us together again in the blessed hereafter!</p><p>Farewell, dear friend,</p><blockquote><p>"Our boat is safely anchored by the shore And safely she will ride, when we are gone; The flowering shrubs that decorate our door Will prosper, though untended and alone. We leave you here, in solitude to dwell With these-our latest gifts of tender thought."</p></blockquote><p style="text-align:right">� A CLASSMATE.</p><p style="text-align:center"><a href="https://usmalibrary.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/collection/aogreunion/id/8929">Annual Report, June 12, 1908, pp. 153�167 · U.S. Military Academy Library</a></p>