The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1890-06-24
THE NEXT BR1eADIER-eENERA1.
Many General OaHcers to he Appreciated
Under tho Preaent HUMANITARIAN.

WASHINGTON, June 23.Within n period OF
six months President Harrison will have COM
missiUned no fewer than seven Generals in the
army. Probably we should have to go back to
war times, or those Immediately succeeding,
for an equal record Of Presidential patronage
in the distribution OF the coveted stars. On the
18th OF February last lie had the appointment
Of u Paymastcr General. on account of the re-
tirement for aye OF Brig Con. W. Il. Rochester.
and Lieut-Col. William Smith received tho
prize. The death Of Gen. Crook not long after.
gave the President an opportunity to nominate
a Major General. and he selected Gen. Miles.
This promotion in turn gave him n third
chance for appointment. ani Col. Grierson was
raised to the rank of Etgadier- General. The
fourth OF the sOtics Of nominations came with
tho rotitemont OF Quartermaster- General y.
j. Holabird, week ago to-day. A week from
tomorrow, July /. another retirement for aye
will occur that OF Commissary General Rob-
crt MacIcoly. The sixth appointment OF gen-
eral officer Will occur Just one week later,
when Brig.-Gen. Il. II. Gricrson reaches tho
age OF "a. Then the seventh of the present
series will he lue on the 10th OF August when
SUPERINTENDENT John Moore will fall n vic
tim TO the statute prescribing retirement for
age. These seven nominations Of general Of
ilcers, occurring within period OF six months
mako up an exceptional record.
Of the appointments still to be mado one OF
the most interesting will be due about u fort
night hence, on Gen. Grierson's retirement.
For that vnrancy there are many candidates
possessing various claims. The senior line
Colonel is Col. Charles II. Smith, Nineteenth
Infantry. who was appointed TO his present
grade at the same timo duly 90, 1860 that Gen.
Grierson was made II Colonel in tho general
army. llo has, therefore, served nearly twenty
four years without promotion. Ills military
career began in 1861 as Captain OF the First
Maine Cavalry, of which he became Colonel
and he was hrevetted Brlgadier- General and
Major General in the regulars for gallant and
mertorous services al Sailors Creek and dur
ing tho war and in the volunteers for listn-
guished conduct at st. Mary's Church and
highly DISTINGUISHED and meritorious services
during the war.
=. Next in seniority is Col. George l.. Andrews,
Twenty;hfth Infantry, Rhode Islander by
bIrf Who also began Ms MILITARY career iS5i
soon nitor was made MAJOR Of the SSyenteenth
Infantry, which was II high start in the regular
army lie reached his present command near
Colonel and Colonel were fol. gallant and
mertorions services at second Bull Run and
Col. A. V. kuutH, Eighth Infantry, a German
By birth. whose service dates back to his en-
iistWH,ent as a private in the First ohio during
the MeNicAn war. lie en cred Vest Point rs II
cadet IN lSlS. ard ON graduation Was assigned
TO the Fourth Infantry. from which when the
Sixth Caya ry rs Captain. He successfully
became Colonel Of the second Ohio cavalry
made Lieutenant Colonel OF tho Thirty-fourth
Infantry in 1856. and transfer and promotion
gave him his present command sixteen years
ago. lie was well known as u cavalry officer
during tho war; and received six brevets UP TO
Major General, both in tho regulars and vol
untecrs, Tor gallant and meritorous services.
The three officers lust named have a good
chance for the prize if considerations Of senior
ity prevail more particularly since their re-
Nov. /, 1891: Col. kautZ about two months
later. and COL Andrews April22. 1892. Still ear:
Col. ii. NJ. Black Twenty-third Infantry next
January, and Of Coz; Il. !. Dodge, ELEVENTH In
next Nav: They. hcwevey are . eonsd sk}
lower on the relative list. Preceding them are
Col; Frank Wheaton, Second Infantry. retiring
firing In 1899: Col A. q. Brackett, Third Cav
@ry retiring RI T. oIa C9 + 4 carI TYh
inntry, in 1902: Col A. McD. McCook Sixth In
There are also very able officers who have
not been long In their present grades; but of
whose fitness 10 BIO Brigallier- Generals there
can he no question. such for example, is
been four years in his present grade and whose
distinguish bed career on Gen. Sheridans stan
is known to the country as well as his service
remarkable rs is The series Of APPOINTMENTS
OF general officers, falling, TO the lot OF Pres-
dent Harrison, hers will soon follow. Next
January comes the retirement for age of Brig
Gen. 5. " Benet. Chief OF Ordnance. In June,
1892 will occur TINT OF Brig-Ge j. G. Kelton.
AdJutant- General Of the army. who. by the
way. WAS appuinted to his present grade by
Barry become Commissary- General of Sub
sstence through next weeks vacancy, rs
seems likely. his retirement would be added to
the list az 1t occurs In 1892. 1t is possible that
some way will be found of appointing new
Judge Advocate General before long. although
Gen. Swaim'> retirement does not occur until
1896. Brig. Gen. Gibbons retirement for ago
is due next April, and Brig. Con. Stanley's in
June. lSl2. BESIDES these retirementS coming
within President lIarrison's term from the
operation Of compulsory statutes. other causes
NAV create vacancies. 1t is evident that most
Of those Colonies who fail to get the star in
Gen. Gri"rson's place will not have long 10
wait for other appointments.