The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1855-03-13

prints,
THE NEW REGIMENTs.-oAPACITY AND QUALIFI-
CATIONS TO LEAD TROOPS.
We notice with much pleasure In the public press Of all
parties such strong concentrations of the appointments
by the President Of the commanding officers for the
regiments that we think proper to refer more in de-
tail TO the active Indian and frontier service which has
illustrated The career Of those distinguished soldiers
We also avail ourselves Of the make remark
or two upon the leading principle which has governed
and viii doubtless continue to govern, the Executive in
these appointments.
Z. " Sumner captain and major, led dragons in
rous Indian campaigns from 1888 the beginning of
the with Mexico In that he had many special
duties assigned him. among Others the discipline and in
struction Of the regiment OF mounted rifles; dis
ngushed in every battle from Vera Cruz the city Of
Mexico and brilliantly conspicuous the bloody field Of
hiolino del Rey.
Albert s. Johnson officer of infantry, distinguished
throughout the whole of the Black Hawk war after
which he TO aid the Texans then struggling with doubt
full prospects Of success in the revolution which made Texas
republic He there held conspicuous positions in the
field and in the council that Of Secretary of War. When
the with Mexico broke out he raised a regiment
OF the hardy of Texas and marched to the
Of conflict The United States declining to receive his
regiment for the period for which they had agreed
to servehe law, indeed, requiring that should
be taken for less than twelve monthshis regiment
disbanded but he remained in the field appointed in
spector general of Gen Buffers division volunteers and
during the attack and capture of Monterey highly dis
ngushed and favoraby noticed by all of his commanding
officers. After the termination of the with Mexico he
received appointment in the staff of the army, and has
been constantly engaged in the arduous and hazardous
duties of pay the frontiers of Texas up the
present time.
George Wright after many years of service the west
frontier selected at the organization of the
regiment THE 18th infantry in 1888 and promoted to the
grade of captain in it. He served the northern frontier
in the Canadian troubles Familiarity known the patriot
war; thence proceeded Florida and served with his reg
iment during the Indian in that locality. He marched
with his regiment to Vera Cruz conspicuous the
various fields between Vera Cruz and the city of Mexico
three times bevetted for gaanry and good conduc,
in battle-once in Florida and twice in Mexico His last
brevet received for the battle of Molino del Rey,
his blood having been freely shed that sanguinary
day Long meritorous, and gallant conduct had raised
him to the grade of lieutenant colonel in the army and
who know his history question the propriey of
the Presidents decision to add to his rank another grade
r. b. Alexander officer of infantry, stationed
the and southwestern frontiers from 1918 to
1929 served quareraster those frontiers from 1923
1896 when he reuqushed his staff appointment and
joined his regiment Esd Infantry in Mexico and though
captain commanded his regiment the Sd infantry the
battles from Vera Cruz the city Of Mexico Those
who have, the most cursory, examined the history
of that campaign know how often and how effectively the
Sd infantry the enemy face face and hand to hand
Twice breveted for galanry in action the President has
but given him commission do that on future fields
which when but company officer be nobly performed
in the desperate battles TO which we have referred
These are the four officers who have been appointed to
command the four regiments recently added the regular
army and their history will relieve the country from any
apprehension that they either the attachments or
natural gifts required lead troops and ably WELD them in
battle, to the attainment of victory.
The four officers appointed the second grade, with
fewer years Of service present history scarcely less bril-
liant than these R E. Lee the daring soldier and
pished engineer, conspicuous many fields during
the war with Mexico win hardly be deemed unfit to
be ntrusted with the honor of his countrys flag j. t.
Johnson whose blood has marked the bateeds of both
Florida and Mexico and whose attachments scientific
soldier are only surpassed by his zeal galany
have either studied military operations in Florida
followed the American army from Vera Cruz the city of
Mexico when but recently recovered of his wounds he
shone conspicuousy lieutenant colonel of voltigeurs
C. T. Smith conspicuous for gallantry in the battles
Of Pao Alto Resaca de Ia Palma Monterey and in the
raj battles from Vera Cruz the city of Mexico in which
he received three breves If the question had been asked
of the volunteer forces, who him many battle
fields who shoulder to shoulder with him. whether
not he fit to be appointed lieutenant colonel we
hazard little in saying their verdict would have been
imous in his favor.
Sias Casey who has been soldier for thirty years was
distinguished in the Indian Florida was brevetted
major for gallant and merorous conduct in the battles Of
Conreras and Churubusco he carried and severely
wounded while leading the stormng Of the right division
at Chaputepec and brevetted lieutenant colonel for
gallant and merorious conduct in that battle He has now
but received by commission in regiment that grade
which be had by brevet many a hard-fought
battlefield.
We have not time space pursue this subject fur
ther but suffice it say that like remarks justly APP
pcable to all those officers who have been selected for the
grade of major and whose nomination has received the
unani nous confirmation OF the Senate.
Those who complain Of these appointments should at
least be able gentlemen in the army or in civil
life worthy Of prefenent than those upon whom
commissions have been bestowed.