Person:William Almy (7)

Major William Ellery Almy died at his post of duty in San Juan, Puerto Rico, August 1st, 1901. He was personally known to many of our members, and was always keenly interested in all the affairs of our Society.

He was born November 9th. 1856, was a son of Rear Admiral John J. Almy, and his twin brother A. C. Almy is at present a Lieut. Commander in the United States Navy. His life was a busy and active one, and the more important features of his military record may be summarized as follows :
At the age of nineteen he was appointed to the Military Academy by Gen. Grant, "and graduated June 13th, 1879, with the rank of Second Lieutenant in the 3rd Infantry. He was transferred to the 5th Cavalry September 4th, 1879, and was promoted to the rank of 1st Lieut, of that Regiment August 21st, 1888. Soon after the opening of the war with Spain, he was commissioned Major and Assistant Adjutant General of Volunteers, and assigned to the 3rd Army Corps. June 23rd, 1898, he was transferred to the 4th Cavalry and July 5th, 1898, was again transferred to the 10th Cavalry and promoted to the grade of Captain. At the request of Brig. Gen. James Franklin Wade, he served on the staff of that officer from July, 1898, until March, 1899. During that time Gen. Wade acted as President of the Cuban Evacuation Commission, and Capt. Almy rendered to the commission, valuable and efficient services in the work it was directed to perform. He was transferred to the 5th Cavalry March 14th, 1899, and during the same month he received his promotion to the grade of Major, and was assigned to the Puerto Rico Regiment, acting at the same time as Assistant Adjutant General for the Island of Puerto Rico. He was mustered out as Major of Volunteers, June 30th, 1901, and on July 1st was commissioned Major of the Puerto Rican Provincial Regiment of Infantry.

Major Almy married Mildred Sellers, February _th, 1885, and she survives him together with three children. His devotion to his family was one of the most beautiful traits of his character. Speaking In general terms of Major Almy, it may justly be said, that his country has lost a gallant soldier, his family a loving and devoted father, and his friends a man who was true to himself and to them. His memory will long be cherished, and the Society of Colonial Wars in the State of Minnesota, places upon its records, this brief memorial, as an evidence of its respect and regard for him.
(Society of Colonial Wars in the State of Minnesota, Secretary's Report, 1901)

1. ↑ Society of Colonial Wars. Society of Colonial Wars in the State of Minnesota.
2. ↑ Membership Application: S. A. R.