HALL, William, publisher, born in Sparta, New York, 13 May, 1796; died in New York city, 3 May, 1874. He served in the war of 1812. In his youth he commanded the 8th militia regiment, and was afterward appointed brigadier-general. In 1821 he engaged in the music publishing business under the firm name of Firth, Hall and Pond, in which he continued until his death. At the Astor place riots he commanded a brigade of militia, which was ordered out by the governor for their suppression. By his courage and calmness he saved the lives of many innocent spectators in ordering his troops to fire high when they were assailed with stones by the mob. He served also in the state senate during the administrations of Governor Fish and Governor King.--His son, James Frederick, soldier, born in New York city, 31 January, 1822; died in Tarrytown, New York, 9 January, 1884. With a younger brother, Thomas, he was a member of the firm of William Hall and Sons. In 1861 he assisted the commissary-general of ordnance of the state to equip twenty-eight regiments for the field. He then set to work to fit out a regiment for himself. Mr. Parrott, of the West Point foundry, presented to Mr. Hall a full battery of field guns, which was afterward permitted to act with the 1st regiment of engineers, organized by Mr. Hall and Colonel Serrell. Colonel Hall, at the head of these men, did good work at the taking of Port Royal. He constructed the works on Tybee island, and was present at the capture of Fort Pulaski, Georgia, which followed. He received honorable mention for his gallantry on the field at Pocotaligo and Olustee, Florida He was present at the capture of Morris island and at the two attacks on Fort Wagner, and co-operated with Sherman against Savannah and Charleston. For two years he acted as provost-marshal-general of the Department of the South. He was brevetted brigadier-general of volunteers on 24 February, 1865.