New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-12-18
ARMY NOTES OF INTEREST.

Captain Frank D. Baldwin, Inspector Of Small Arms
Practice, Of the Department of Missouri who returned
TO Chicago a few days ago, has made report to
Major-General Niles of his extended tour Of the
Western posts Relative to the Indians ara their
condition. he SAYS: The Indians in terrible
shape The Cheyennes and Arapahocs. about 1000 in
all, are hungry and desperate. They have irtteIr'
away their money and now have only half rations 10
subsst upon anticipate no outbreak. but au Indian
when hungry is likely 70 do almost anything. and
they may swoop down upon the Texas ranges almost
1T any time
BriSadier-Gcneral Alexander j. Perry, Assistant
Quartermaster-Cienera who retired for age on
Monday last closed the retirements in that class for
the year Of 1892 Colonel Rodney Smith, Assistant
Paymaster-Genera will be the first officer Of the Army
TO be retired for age 500 He will reach the age
OF sixty four years on January g. and there viii be
only four line retrements for age next year. Gen
eral Pcrrys military career has been an excellent
one. lie graduated from West Point In July >
1851. and his first active service was In the ar
tery, when In May, 1851, he was promoted -
captain and assistant qnarermaster. ana gave Oicla
service during the Civil War for which he received te
brevets O major. lieutenant colonel, colonel and brig
adler general. since The war he has h"ld many re-
ypoSblc positions. his last post OF duty being in charge
Of the Quartermaster's Depot III this city
Eight DAYS after the opening OF the present ses-
sion Of Congress "a bill introduced providing that
all officers and enlisted men below the grade Of
maor-genera who lave served thirty years and were
In the Civil War may be retired upon their own APP
plication upon the grade next above their rank at
retirement This is simply ano;Ler promotion pro
ject for the Army. bill 10 hccaee the food OF pro
motion and at the same time pay "a tribute to the
veterans Of the Tie retired list furnishes Only
fourths pay and in time Of peace there Is little
Temptation to seek the retired list, hence the pro
vision TO give officers who may ask to retire II pro
mmlon recent estimate is that 466 line officers
and 2o8 general and stan officers have had war ser
vice. or there would De 80 possible rciirementS
among officers SHOULD the b.l pass. There are also
nearly 900 officers OF the Arny now on the retired
list who saw service. therefore tie passage OF
this measure would make total Of about l20O bcne-
Aciaries. OF Az cavalry officers no nave nau war
service of the artillery, OF $50 served III Inc
Civil War and in the infantry, 2"1 out OF 81 IL IS
contended by the adv "ateN OF uc '"suls -
Tonngcr Oficcrs-ihat large number of these Officers
who served in the Civil War would Jump nj , In,
chance 10 retire with grade higher lEin uiht
actually held. and that this w0nid begin healthy
method OF promotion for tlr young bioSo; -, ~, up
peal has gone forth that every officer OF me Army
Should concentrate N irfiuenc" ana tE't OIL ms
friends In power 10 work for TIE pa,sagc o. uc Dl,i
in the present session. II closes win We qectau,'
that =. the incoming Congress. on pohu'ai GROUNDS
from the nature Of IS conpo,1ion VIII hot "nlng' a
mon the measure referred to as weldeS"rved and
graceful tribute the officers who lave seen service
In maintaining The integrity OF the 'hoh'
During the last year three mining caSemaeS have
been mpieted forming part Of the defenccs of Wash
incton Hampton Roads and san Francis O.. Anolh r,
for the defence OF Portland. Me- Is expected to be
completed by January I. and one at Charleston > o..
ia nearly completed. Two for the defence OF Phln-
aelpnn are advancing toward cOnpl ton ms rilill,
as possible In addition to other wok In progress on
the PCt0mac be ow Washington, In Chesapeake BAY
nnd nj WIlloughLy Point. referred to in This column
three weeks ago, working drawings ard estimates OF
cost of two mining for the defence Of Maria
csnseit Bay are about ready 10 be submitted. The
defences proposed the places named and for Bos
ton include Twelve mining cssenatcs IN add on 10
those completed or under way
The success Of Colonel George ID. Ruggles In the
contest with Coonl Chauncey McKeever for detail a
assistant to the adutant general predicted In this
column few weeks ago, gratifying 10 the friends
of the former and not altogether disappcin 10
those OF the latter. Colonel Rueglcs, who has bee
HEADQUARTERS Governors Island. went 10 Washing
sfaf vii, be filed BY Colonel Samuel Brcck, who has
Department. Colonel Mckeever, who has been on
leave OF absence until next summer, when he VIII he
retired on account Of age. Lieutenant Colonel J. p.
Martin now al san Antonio Ten Will succeed Colonel
McKsever nj Chicago The post OF dpIty or first as
ssinnt adjutan general /. cow ted one, rs Is lcocd
upon as the stepping stone TO the highest Office An that
department. Colonel Ruggl,s Is native of New
York and his gallant ami meritonoIs services DIR
ing the campaign which resulted In the fall OF Rich
mond ard terminated with the surrender Of the In
sureent army under General Robert f.. Lee" secured
him commission OF major general Of volunteers. He
Win be retired for age ON september ii. lso'.