Background
John Newton was born on August 24, 1823 in Norfolk, Virginia, United States. He was the son of Thomas Newton, 1768-1847, and his second wife, Margaret (Jordan) Pool. His father was a representative in Congress for twenty-nine years.
John Newton was born on August 24, 1823 in Norfolk, Virginia, United States. He was the son of Thomas Newton, 1768-1847, and his second wife, Margaret (Jordan) Pool. His father was a representative in Congress for twenty-nine years.
John Newton was graduated second in his class at the United States Military Academy in 1842. He was awarded the degree of Legum Doctor by St. Francis Xavier College in 1886.
On July 1, 1842 Newton was commissioned second lieutenant of engineers. Prior to the Civil War, he served as assistant to the Board of Engineers, as instructor at West Point, and on fortification, lighthouse, and river and harbor work. His name is identified with the construction of Fort Warren, Massachussets, Fort Trumbull, Connecticut, Forts Porter, Niagara, and Ontario, New York, Fort Wayne, Michigan, and Forts Pulaski and Jackson, Georgia.
He became first lieutenant, October 16, 1852, and captain, July 1, 1856.
He was chief engineer of the Utah Expedition of 1858.
The outbreak of the Civil War found him engaged in fortification work on Delaware Bay. He was successively chief engineer of the Departments of Pennsylvania and of the Shenandoah, was in action at Falling Waters, Virginia, June 30, 1861, and did much field reconnaissance.
Promoted to major August 6, 1861, and made brigadier-general of volunteers September 23, he was on duty as engineer in constructing the defenses of Washington from August 28 of that year to March 1862.
Subsequently he commanded a brigade at West Point, Virginia, May 7, 1862, and at Gaines's Mill, Glendale, South Mountain, and Antietam. He selected the Union position at West Point, and showed good judgment and skill in handling troops. At South Mountain he ordered his men to advance with the bayonet, without firing, until the enemy should begin to retreat. He accompanied them and carried the enemy's position with a rush. His corps commander recommended him for promotion to major-general for conspicuous gallantry and important services at Antietam. He commanded a division at Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, and Gettysburg. In the Chancellorsville campaign, he was ordered to attack Marye's Heights, which had defied attack in the memorable battle of Fredericksburg. He carried the position with the bayonet in three minutes, with the loss of 1, 000 out of 3, 500. On the first day at Gettysburg, General Meade selected him to command the I Corps, upon the death of Gen. John F. Reynolds. When the I Corps was broken up in March 1864, he was ordered to report to General Sherman and was assigned to the 2nd Division, IV Corps, Sheridan's old division. At the beginning of the Atlanta campaign, he carried Rocky-face Ridge. He was in the operations around Dalton and Adairsville, and the battles of Dallas, Kenesaw Mountain, Peach Tree Creek, Jonesborough, and Lovejoy's Station. Never did his soldiership show to better advantage than at Peach Tree Creek. His division prevented the penetration of Sherman's forces. "The blow was sudden and somewhat unexpected, " said Sherman in his report, "but General Newton had hastily covered his front by a line of rail piles, which enabled him to meet and repulse the attack on him".
After the fall of Atlanta, he commanded the District of West Florida, where he showed great activity.
He was brevetted lieutenant-colonel, colonel, brigadier-general, major-general of volunteers, and major-general, United States Army, and held the rank of major-general of volunteers from March 30, 1863, to April 18, 1864.
After the close of the war, he became lieutenant-colonel of engineers, December 28, 1865, was mustered out of the volunteer service, January 15, 1866, and returned to fortification and river and harbor work.
He had been promoted to the rank of colonel, June 30, 1879, and on March 6, 1884, he became brigadier-general and chief of engineers, but he retained personal charge of the Hell Gate operations until December 31, 1885. He was retired at his own request, August 27, 1886, and on the following day accepted the office of commissioner of public works of New York City.
He declined a reappointment two years later and accepted the presidency of the Panama Railroad Company, a position which he held until his death in New York City, May 1, 1895. He was buried in Post Cemetery, New York.
From early manhood Newton was a devout member of the Roman Catholic Church.
Newton was a member of the National Academy of Sciences and an honorary member of the American Society of Civil Engineers.
Newton was a handsome man of commanding presence and pleasing personality.
In 1848 he married Anna M. Starr, daughter of Jonathan Starr, a leading banker of New London, Connecticut. They had five sons and one daughter.