San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1894-08-01
BANKS AND BANKERS.
LOCKWOOD NATIONAL
BANK.
SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS
J.S.LooKwooD, Pres. j. MUIR, JB., Cashier
SAFE DEPOSIT VAULTS.
MAJOR WATSON WANTED.
A Well-known American Soldier
Badly Needed By Japan-He is
Known to San Antonians.


WASHINGTON, D. c., Aug. IAN
Am erican may lead Japanese
troops to victory over the winged
dragon Of the Celestial Empire.
The war between China and Japan,
should it become an affair of much
magnitude, will involve another
chapter in the record of remark
able personal history.
In 1867 James Robert WATSON
was sent to West Point from an
Iowa district. He was a tall,
handsome, sturdy young fellow,
who, as soon as he was known,
achieved high degree Of personal
popularity and first honors in class
standing. He could have gone in
to the Corps of Engineers, but pro-
motion in that branch was then
closed. So, at the strong request
of General r. S. Mackenzie, then
Colonel of the Fourth Regiment of
Cavalry, WATSON was sent to that
corps. But he did not stay long.
The Khedive of Egypt had asked
for some bright young American
officer to do certain special work.
General Grant, who had the high
est regard for WATSON personally,
and a great faith in his military
ability, sent him to Egypt, giving
him two years leave of absence.
The reports concerning his work
were so favorable that when Was
son returned he was again sent to
foreign potentate, who needed
Americans of military knowledge,
experience and organizing ability,
with high courage attached.
General Grant, in personal let
tor to the Emperor Of Japan, said
he could positively assure him that
Lieutenant WATSON possessed the
qualities demanded.
In the "war with the ShOguns"
(Nobles) WATSON was a valuable
man. He was made chief of staff
to a general, commanding one of
the grand divisions of the Mikado's
army, and the great victory, which
settled the question in favor Of the
present ruler, was planned and
fought out mainly under his direc-
ton. II was greatly startled" said
he, "when on the evening OF our
victory three wagon loads of heads
were dumped out in front Of my
tent as delicate compliment to
me from the general commanding"
WATSON was offered a permanent
position in the Japanese army with
high rank. But his wife's health
he had married daughter Of j.
II. Bingham, of Ohio, United States
Minister to Japan-fOrbade his re-
manning in the country. So, with
high compliments from the Mikado
and great regrets from all his SUI
periors, he returned to the United
States. General Grant was so
pleased with him that he promoted
him to the rank of major in the
pay corps of the United States
army. This in the end proved
Wasson's ruin.
On a tour through Texas WATSON
got on a drinking bout and was
short in his accounts. Though
he at once made the deficit
good this grave Offense could not
be overlooked. He was dismissed
from the service and sentenced to
is months in the military prison
at Leavenworth. He served out
his term, went back to his Iowa
home, and began life anew. He
was an excellent engineer and
soon had work enough to live.
A week ago today, Friday, the
Japanese government, through a
confidential quarter, began inquiry
as to where Major WATSON was.
They found him at Des Moines, la.
1t is learned from entirely reli-
able sources that he will, if it
has not already been done, be
offered the place Of Colonel OF
Staff in the Japanese service in
view of the hostilities between that
nation and China. There is also
an intimation that he will in case
Of active hostilities be given COM
mand Of division in the field. So
an American may possibly COM
mand a wing of the Japanese army,
Just as Ward, the American, and
"Chinese" Gordon commanded the
troops that suppressed the Tai-Ping
rebellion in China.
Major WATSON was well known
in San Antonio, and the memoir
able court martial in his unfortun-
ate case was conducted at Fort Sam
Houston.