New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-04-08
ARMY NOTES or INTEREST.

The institution by Colonel Carlton at Fort Meade
OF the custom OF singing verse OF the o'"i
Spangled Banner" while the audience Is standihs'
referred to in this column few days ago. IS not
an innovation after all. 4 correspondent writes that
Colonel Cook commanding at Davids Island some
time ago directed that the Sunday evening concerts
should close with the singing OF America or the
star Spangled Banner" during which the audience
not only stands. but each one sings the nest ne
song service and sacred concert combined anu lof
sists Of gospel hymns and instrumental selections.
Although not new to the Army, the custom Is NV
it is believed that the idea will soon be generaly
adopted.
A board OF officers has been ordered to convene
this month at the Army Building to examine candi-
dates for the vacancy OF a first lieutenant IN the
Ordnance Corps Some surprise Is manifested that
only two or three lieutenants OF the line, TO whom
the position is open, nave sent IN tner names as
applicants, for IL Is position where the duties are
pecially OF gun construction and more rapid pro-
motion is assured the incumbent than in any
other corps
Attention has frequently been called to the fact
that officers detailed TO act counsel for enlisted
men In either summary or general courts-nartal
have neglected to give their entire support to the
defence but have often aided the Judge-Advocate
IN his duties losing sight Of the fact that the latter
is the prosecuting officer for the Government. This
has worked 10 the detriment CT the accused men
in some recent cases. and Secretary Lamont has
issued an order. upon the suggestion OF the Acting
detailed counsel to guard the interests OF the
prisoner by all honorable and lesltima , means
some officers have criticised that part Of the order
%Gn s by the OF statutes that an accused person
shall be spoken of as the accused and not as the
prisoner.
Another order issued by the War Department is OF
general interest and makes more clear and definite
the status of a deserter than was defined by an
order issued only a short time ago. The order says
that "a deserter $ release is in sense discharge
from the Army nor does II in any way remove the
charge OF desertion" In other words II simply
apprehendng those deserters who by reason Of the
provisions Of act OF Congress cannot be tried
for their desertion
The death OF Lieutenant John II. Alexander leaves
only one coored line officer in the Army. Lieutenant
Charles Young OF the 9th Cavalry Lieutenant
Alexander was appointed to West Point from Ohio
and was graduated with the class OF 81. being the
first OF the colored race to receive commission in
the regular Army. a few months ago he was de-
tailed as instructor Of military tac:cs and sciences
nj n college for colored men at Wilberforce, Onlo'
AZ which time The Tribune gave sketch OF the
young officer and noted the satisfaction which his
detail gave to his people
A granite monument has recently been set up at
West Point upon which is this inscription: Rlch-
ard II. Jackson. Brevet Brigadler-Ge L. S.
July A. 1880 Died at Fort Mcpherson, Atlanta. Ga.
Nov % 1892 Faithful unto death" The grave OF
General Jackson Is next TO that or his son, Canet
Franklin Mills Jackson. who was member OF the
OF 90 and the design OF the stone Is similar 10
that OF the sons monument
The progress made upon the revised Army regu-
lations by the Board OF officers detailed for the
purpose satisfactory that is expected to be
ready to be submitted to General Schohed for con-
sideraton by July. After General Schofeld has
gone through the work 1t will then be submitted to
Secretary Lamont tor pro nt smI VIII p'o''''
Unless some casualty should occur among the
present brigader generals II Is likely that Colonel
I.oomis l.. Langdon. who commands the LIST Artl-
lery with headquarters at Fort Hamilton, will re-
tire with his present rank on October % next
Colonel Iangdon has been prominently mentioned
as possible selection in the OF the latest two
vacancies and in view of the fact that the artillery
and Colonel Langdons war and peace record was
so significant. II was believed he would De tne
70 some old records OF the st Artillery discoses
the name OF Edgar A. Perry as the sergeant major
from January 1929. TO April 26 1879; and Edgar A.
Perry was no less parsonage than Edgar Allan
Poe.
Since 1875 the accounts OF the National Home for
Disabled Volunteer Soldiers have passed through
the War Department for settlement. and they have
usually dragged along for years before being adj
tusted thus causing much annoyance and difficulty
10 the treasurer OF the Home. But the laws en-
acted In 1891 and 1893 have enabled the war
Department 10 expedite the settlement dn,n, OF
to date. The laws enable the accounts TO be
settled In half the time that was formerly required
and II the proposition to make monthly instead OF
quarterly returns Is adopted the work can be done
with only one-third the delay.
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