Military engineer; born in
Norfolk, Va., Aug. 24, 1823; graduated at the United States Military Academy and appointed assistant
Professor of Engineering there with the rank of second lieutenant in 1842.
Later he served in the building of fortifications and other extensive works along the shores of the
Atlantic and the
Gulf, and was chief engineer of the
Utah expedition.
At the beginning of the
Civil War he was chief engineer of the Department of Pennsylvania.
From August, 1861, till March, 1862, he was engaged in constructing
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defensive works at the national capital.
He was commissioned a brigadier-general of volunteers, Sept. 23, 1861, and was promoted major-general, March 30, 1863.
For distinguished services in the
battle of Gettysburg he was brevetted colonel
U. S. A., and later brigadier-general.
During the war he also took part in the engagements at
West Point,
Gaines's Mill, and
Glendale; in the forcing of Crampton's Gap, in the battles of
Antietam, and the storming of
Marye's Heights at the
battle of Fredericksburg.
He is most popularly known as the engineer who removed the dangerous rocks at
Hell Gate, New York Harbor.
This achievement required the invention of new machinery and the solution of new engineering problems.
On Sept. 24, 1876, he blew up
Hallett's Reef, and on Oct. 10, 1885, Flood Rock.
On March 6, 1884, he was promoted chief of engineers, with the rank of brigadiergeneral, and held the post till his retirement, Aug. 27, 1886.
General Newton was commissioner of public works in New York City in 1887-88.
He died in New York City, May 1, 1895.
