Montgomery Meigs

[Rhatkinson]

We all know of him a one of Lincoln's generals who road with Sec. Stanton and Sec. Wells from Seward's home to the Petersen House after hearing of Lincoln's assassination. However, Meigs was also in charge of construction of the Capitol Dome and he had a gigantic feud with the architect of the dome, Thomas Walter that was covered in a great piece on 60 Minutes that is worth your time.

Meigs was apparently obsessed with fame and even went so far as to have his name etched in the iron steps of the inner dome so that he would be remembered for the dome for eternity.
   
There is a great series of letters that passed between the two men where they fought of who should get the credit for the dome. Meigs wrote to Walter, "...You are welcomed to assume the authorship of the pyramids of Egypt...you have no right to the New Dome."

Walter replied, "If I am not the architect of the New Dome I would like to know who is..."

Anyway, check out the video. It's very interesting.

Heath
http://www.cbsnews.com/news/the-capitol-...niversary/