HUMPHREYS, ANDREW ATKINSON American soldier and engineer, was born at Philadelphia on Nov. 2, 181o. He was the son of Samuel Humphreys chief constructor U.S. navy, and grandson of Joshua Humphreys the designer of the "Constitution" and other famous frigates of the War of 1812, sometimes known as the "father of the American navy." Graduating at West Point in 1831, he devoted himself chiefly to engineering. In the earlier part of the Civil War Humphreys was employed as a topographical engineer with the Army of the Potomac and rendered conspicuous services in the Seven Days' battles. It is stated that he selected the famous position of Malvern Hill, before which Lee's army was defeated. Soon after this he was assigned to command a division, and at the battle of Fredericksburg he distinguished himself greatly in the last attack of Marye's heights. He took part in the battle of Chancellorsville, and at Gettysburg commanded a division under Sickles. A few days later he became chief of staff to Gen. Meade, and this position he held throughout the Wilderness campaign. Towards the end of the war Gen. Humphreys succeeded Gen. Han cock in command of the famous II. Corps. The short campaign of 1865, which terminated in Lee's surrender, afforded him a greater opportunity of showing his capacity for leadership. After the war, now brevet major-general, he returned to duty as chief engineer of the U.S. army, and retired in 1879. He died at Wash ington on Dec. 28, 1883. Amongst his works may be mentioned From Gettysburg to the Rapidan (1882) and The Virginia Cam paigns of 1864-1865 (1882).
See Wilson, Critical Sketches of some Commanders (Boston, ; Henry Hollingsworth Humphreys, Andrew Jackson Humphreys: a Biography (5924).