Fort Worth gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1891-1898, 1894-10-18
SOME MILITARY MATTERS.
The Prospective appointment of Z
Mnjor-GenernI and BriEndier-Gen-
erai Next Month, and u Command

washington, Oct Especial Nov
that the time approaches for the retire
ment OF Maiden. Howard on account
of age CNovember neNo the friends
OF various candidates for promotion in
tie army are busylng themselves. 1t
seems 10 be generally conceded that
Brig.-Gen. Thomas II. Ruger, now ire
senior in his grade, will be advanced
10 the grade of major-general, although
the friends OF Brighten. McCook, who
retlres for age in April next, Will
doubtless urge his claims to promotion
upon the grounds that It would only
delay Gen, Rugers advancement few
months, when Gen. McCook would be
enabled to retire on the increased pay
OF a mnJor-general. The difference be-
tween the salaries Of the two graiss.
by the way, is $1,000 per year a mltor-
general receiving $780, and brlgadlsr-
general $500. But whoever Is appointed
maior-genernl the chief fight win lie
oyer the brlgadier-g eneralship Which
will be vacated by Maj.-Gen. Howard's
successor For the prospective vacancy
in the grade of major-general. the Sc
lection being limited TO the list Of six
brigadiers, the number OF applicants
will necessarily be restricted, II indeed
there be any applicant at all. The
esprlt of the service usually governs
mat point, and 1t IL even likely that
Gen. McCook win not allow his name to
he used for the position, which. accord
ing to custom and usage in the array
Is regarded as naturally belonging TO
-. IL
With regard to the position OF Lrlga-
dier-general. however, the entire 1T Vt
forty line colonies may be considered
without violating any established rule
or custom. In fact, as in the case OF
the late Gen. Crook, who was APP
pointed brigadier-general from the
grade of Northumberland, there Is
nothing in law TO prevent the Presi-
dent from making any otii9er uf tue
army a brigadler-general, except the
refusal or failure OF the senaue to CON
firm the appointment
Notwithstanding this. however, II If
safe TO assume that not mora .hnn
half dozen colonies OF the line VIII
amply for the prospective vacancy with
any show Of success. and Of those 1t
is difficult now to predict who WIN sue
coed. There Is one colonel, howeN'r,
who, though modest and undssumiuS
himself and In no sense polttlchll ~
wire-puller. by his long service In Tex
as and on the frontier, eXcites great
local interest in this connection, Col
onel John j. Copplnger Of the Twenty
third infantry. stationed now near
the Rio Grande southern boundary
In 1861 Col. Coppinger, although hold
ing a position in a foreign army and
but recently honored with the title
Of Chevalier for conspicuous gallahtiy
In defending the La Roca gateway IN
Italy, renounced his foreign allegiance
and all It's promises to come to the
United States and volunteer his services
for the I'm on cause. He was appoint
ed n captain OF a United States IN
fsntry regiment and subsequently be-
came colonel OF the Fifteenth New
York cavalry, which he commanded in
a number OF the severest battles of the
war. having captured with IL seventeen
guns at the cavalry fight at Appomat-
tox station the day before Lees sur
render, just before which memorable
occo sion, however, at Appom0ttoN
courthouse he was himself again
wounded,
The first serious wound received by
Col. Copplugcr was at the second bat
tie of Bull Run, where he was so badly
shot as to be left for dead ON the field
Of battle. But he was found alive the
next day and speedily recovered. In
stead Of avuiling himself Of profered
opportunities to recuperate in soft city
details. he with commendable spirit
remained at the front, taking part In
thirty odd of the most feroclous and
famous battles of the war including
number Of cavalry fights, wherein
he displayed that mastery ability and
courage which called forth highest en-
comiums and most flattering recon-
mendattons Of such eminent observers
as Gems. Sheridan, Custer. Torbert
Wright and others
The official army register shows that
Col. Coppinger was brevelted in the
regular army as Major, for gallant
and merltorous services at the battle
OF Trevillian Station" as Lieuteant-
colonel for gallant and merltorlous SER
vices at the battle of Cedar creek and
as Colonel for zeal and energy in
command of troops operating against
hostile Indians" This last brevet-
accorded In December 1865, gives to
Col Coppinger tine advantage over
some OF his competitors Of having
distinguished himself in active frontier
service since the civil war.
since his assignment in January. 1891,
as colonel of the Twenty-third infaiusy
stationed in Southern Texas ne hrs
kept faithfully and constan,i.' AT his
IOst Of duty, Indeed, Notwithstanding
the iact that he has several times been
prominently mentioned as a candidate
tuT appointment as a briBndIHr general,
nS mas feiralned from all pstSuttai So
notation, and whatever has been Done
or said in his behalf. has iecn by
friends, generally without his knCwl-
edge. a gentleman who was In WASH
lhston during the HARRISON Blaine feuI.
winch II was said grew CHIEFLY out Of
MI. Blaine's recommendation II his
toh-in-law, Col. Coppingar, for the
place subsequently given to Gen. Carr.
afterwards on a visit at Fort Sam
houston, Texas, talked VITA col Cop.
plhger on the subject. and was amazed
70 nnd how little he knew II the cir
cunstances Of his alleged ranlidur.
as matter of fact he had never
done more, as the war department re-
vords show, than file a simple fw
me letter Of application. and inuo
tnet was done in mis- behalf Yds with
out MS knowledge or conssnt. Thise
VINO know Col. CoppinGsr personally
S san well understand that he is NOT
ilkely at this late day OF MS military
career TO pun Wis or struggle for
military advancement.
nevertheless his friends now expect
mar the Texas delegation IN ronsfers.
jung with others will push him for