The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-04-18
THE NEW BRIGADIERS.
Sketches of the Two Colonies Promoted To
Be Brig adler Generals. u g. A.

Sketches of the Two Colonies Promoted To
Be Brisadier- Generals, u. 8. A.
The successor of General Howard, as briga-
der general in the United States army, General
Joseph II. Potter, has remarkable record of
continuous service, extending back to 1643 when
he graduated at West Point with General Grant,
the next above him in class number. He had
been appointed a cadet July l, 1889. On July /,
l843, he was brevetted second lieutenant and
On Oct. FL 1845, was promoted to the full rank
Inc young officer saw service in the war against
Mexico, and was severely wounded at the battle
of Monterey. His galantry on this occasion
won him brevet as first lieutenant, given him
Sept 70. 1916. He was made first lieutenant
on Oct. 30, 1847, and captain Jan. 9, 1856, and
became colonel of the Twelfth New Hampshire
volunteers in 1862 Colonel Potter participated
IN the battle of Fredericksburg, and for gallant
services there was brevetted alieuteapt-colonel
in the regular army. He also participated in
the battle of Charlottesville where ne received
severe wound. For his distinguished services
In this great battle he was brevetted colonel, and
on March ID, 1865, was brevetted brigadiergen
eral for gallant and meritorious service in the
campaign terminating with the surrender of the
insurgent army under General Lee" He had
received his commission as major, July IA. 1868
The gallant Potter was made brigadier- general
of volunteers on May l, 1865 and was mustered
out of the volunteer service on Jan. Is, 1866 His
promotion to be a lieutenant colonel in the regu
lar army took place IN July of that year. and to
be colonel in 1873 He was with his regiment
IN Kansas wnen MS promotlon to be Drlgacler-
general was announced.
General Potter will be withdrawn from the
active list next autumn. His being made
brigadier general will enable him to 60 on the
retired list with increased rank and pay
Colonel Thomas II. Ruger. promoted to be
brigadier general, is native of Wisconsin, and
was made cadet from that State in 1850. AT
ter graduating with very high honocs from West
Point, ne was brevetted second lieutenant on
July l, 1854, and resigned April l, 1855. He
next practiced law in his native State.
When the war broke out he enlisted and be-
came Northumberland of the Third Wisconsin
Volunteers, June 60, 1861. He was made colonel
in August of the same year. brigadier- general OF
volunteers November, 1862, and was brevetted
major general for gallant and meritorious
services at the battle Of Franklin, Tenn" Gen.
Ruger was mustered out of the volunteer service
June 10, 1866, made colonel of the Thirty third
infantry In July of the same year, and brevetted
brigadier general for gallant and meritorious
services at the battle of Gettysburg" He served
In South Corolina in 1877 AS superintendent
of the Military Academy and in command of the
school OF application at Fort Leavenworth, Gen.
Ruger added to his reputation.
Brigadier- generals in the army limited by
law to six. Their pay for the first FIVE years of
service is S., 500 year, afterward periodically
increased by percentage: Ten per cent. after
hve years service 20 per cent after ten; 80 after
fifteen, and 40 per cent more than S., 500 a year
after twenty vears' service.