University of Vermont - Ariel Yearbook (Burlington, VT)

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THE ARIEL, 1907 17 brigadier general, U. S. Volunteers, and received a like commission in the National Guard of New York. And fifty of his fellow citizens expressed their estimate of the value of his services by presenting him with a sword of honor. Since the close of the Civil War, General Hawkins has been actively engaged in political reform, local, state and national. In May, 1864, he called the attention of the Union League Club to the necessity for a system of civil service, and was appointed on a committee with Dr. Francis Lieber and General Hayes, to attempt to arouse a general interest in the subject. This was the beginning of the salutary movement so familiar now Linder the name of Civil Service Reform. In 1872 he was a member of the Reform Legislature N of New York, but tiring of the jobbery and venality of the majority of his fellow members, he resigned his seat a week before adjournment, and issued to his constituents a frank Statement of his reasons for resigning. The most complete account of the Tweed Ring Fraud ever written may be found in his Report to the Union League Club, printed in 1876. In 1889 General Hawkins was appointed United States Commis- sioner in special charge of the Department of Fine Arts at the Inter- national Exposition at Paris. Through his efforts American Art, and especially American Wood Engraving, gained the recognition they de- served. I-Iis report, with illustrations, may be seen in volume II of the Government Report of the Exposition. Since 1866 General Hawkins has spent more than half his time in Europe, studying the principal art collections and visiting the libraries, public and private, of all parts of Europe, Spain and Russia alone excepted. His extensive knowledge of art, bibliography, and wood engraving has given him wide recognition as an authority on 'these subjects. We add a partial list of the General's writings, omitting those already alluded to: The United States in Account with the Rebellion, 1876? A Few Facts in Later American History, 188o.

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16 THE ARIuEL,,1907- position among the breakers. The captain and engineer of the tugboat Fanny, refusing to undertake their rescue, were yet persuaded by a loaded navy revolver in the colonel's hand, to obey orders, and save the imperilled soldiers from certain death. In February, 1862, the gunboat Delaware leading an expedition up the Chowan River to Winton, Col. Hawkins took his position on the cross-trees of the foremast, and so was able to save the boat and its living freight of two companies from an ambush of rebel infantry and artillery. His escape at this time from instant death was little less than miraculous. The Delaware was struck more than ISO times, and the ratlines were cut out of his hands as he was descending to the deck. The Union forces withdrew down the river, but the next morning cap- tured and burned a part of the town. Colonel Hawkins organized the first body of loyal North Carolinian troops, the nucleus around which was formed the First Regiment of N. C. Volunteers. Thirty-two of these volunteers were hung by the rebel general Picket for constructive desertionf' an dffence unknown to military law. General Picket's crime is discussed in one of General Hawkins's publications. Colonel Hawkins's brigade was in the disastrous fight at Fredericks- burg, December 13, 1862. It was his protest against the proposed second attack the next morning, made first at General Wilcox's headquarters, and later in the presence of four other generals, and finally, by suggestion of General Sumner, to General Burnside in person, which induced General Burnside to relinquish his purpose, and probably saved the Union forces from a repetition of their cruel defeat. l Colonel Hawkins was among the first to discern the incompetence of Gen. George B. McClellan, and one of the most active in the effort to secure his removal from the head of the army. Such independent action was of course well-nigh fatal to all hopes of promotion. Though mus- tered out with his regiment, he yet gave his whole time till the close of the rebellion to the promotion of the Union cause. During his service in the field he was called to command his brigade, and later a division. In 1866 he was promoted to the rank of brevet

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l 18 THE,ARIEL, 1907 'f Horrors in Architecture and so-called XIVOFBS of Art in Bronze in the City of New York, 1886. W'hy Burnside did not Renew the Attack at Fredericksburg, 1892. Early Coast Operations in North Carolina, 1893. . Better than Men. QReviewed in U. V. M. Cyriic, June 6, 18Q8D. Assassination of Loyal North Carolinians for having servedin the Union army, 1897. Our Political Degradationf, 1904. Corlears Hook. The VVagnerian Cult. Our Manners, Cone volumej , 1904. f The six papers following appeared in the North American Review: Destruction of- Art in America, Brutality and Avarice Triumphant. The American Hotel of Todayf, The late President Carnotf' Russia's Attitude during the Civil War. The Why of Rural Free Deliveryf' The Bibhfographer and The Library Collector also show contributions from his pen on Early Printing, The Daye Press U Cnow at the Vermont State Housej, etc. His articles in the periodical press discuss a great variety of topics :- art, archmology, early printing, early Wood engraving, the Roman Catholic church, politics, political reform, the rebellion, etc., etc. -V In 1874 he received from Brown University the honorary degree of Master of Artsg in 1889 he was made an officer of the Legion of Honor of France, and in IQOO the University of Vermont recognized his eminent ability and numerous public services by conferring the degree of Doctor of Laws. G, N w 1,1335 QW gfjgiy Qf gf' 3 'ef