Derby, George

HORATIO, military officer and humorist; born in Dedham, Ma ., April 3, 1823; graduated at West Point, in 1864; and was appointed, in 1860, captain of topographical engineers. He served in the war with Mexico and was severely wounded at Cerro Gordo; subsequently employed in various surveys, public works, and explorations, including the charge of the military roads, Department of the Pacific (1854-56), and lighthouse engineer (1857-59). While stationed in California, he wrote a number of humorous sketches under the name of JOHN PHENIX. His work of Phæniriana was a collection of these sketches. Died in New York, May 15, 1861.