The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1895-05-16
ARMY AND NAVY.
Col. Craighill Succeeds Gen. Casey-Admiral
Meade Retired.

Meade Retired.
Brig Gen. Thomas l.. Casey retired last week,
and at the same time relinquished his duties as
Chief of Engineers. He is succeeded by Col.
VIM p Craighll in tho latter position. who is
appointed Brigad ier-General. Col CraighilPs
promotion has been expected for some time.
He is regarded as one of the ablest men in the
Engineer Corps. he was born in Virginia and
entered the Military Academy from that State
in July, 1849 He rendered conspicuous service
in the defenses OF Cumberland Gap, Tenn. con-
structed the defenses of Baltimore in 1863 and
1864, and was also prominent in the construc-
tion of the defensive works for the harbors of
San Francisco, New York, and Baltimore and
the mouth OF the Chesapeake, and duty on
Engineer Boards embracing construction and
inspection. COL Craighill's principal engineer
ing works were the Improvement of the Great
Kanawha and the harbor of Baltimore. He is
now in charge OF the River and Harbor 1ni-
provements in Maryland. Virginia, West Vir-
ginia, and Delaware, with headquarters at
Baltimore He is a member OF tho American
Association for the Advancement of Science,
and ex-Presidont of the American Society of
Civil Engineers.
Admiral Meade last week requested to be
retired from active service. The precise
reasons for Admiral Meade's action are not
known to the public but his friends assert
that he has been badly treated by the Navy
Department. with an evident purpose of forcing
him on the Retired List so as to make place for
some one else. Under the provision of the law
allowing him to retire after 40 years service
he can retire now at his own request but he
would not BIO compelled to retire for age until
1899. lie said the other day to friend that
he had no intention to retire unless he were
forced to do so. Evidently he has been forced
to act against his own desire to stay in tho
service The movements of his fleet on the
frt,, to fl,aT ,rih l,o, Gooo nd hn WaSl
Indies were constantly interfered with by
orders from Washington. Two of his best
vessels wore taken away from him, including
his flagship. The Assistant Secretary of the
Navy went along on the trip as a sort of watch
full guardian.
II would have been tho right and proper
thing to have allowed Admiral Meade to go
with his flagship 20 participate in tho celebra-
ton of the opening OF the canal at KEEL. Ger
many. lie requested to lie allowed to 20, but
the Navy Department wonld not consent.
When the Admiral WAS here some days ago,
it intiniated that he had grievance
against Admiral Ramsey, who has the assign
ment of officers in charge in his bureau. The
fact that Secretary Herbert promptly complied
with Admiral Meado's REQUEST to be detached
from the squadron, and that Admiral Ramsey
Immediately put in request for assign
ment to the place, is regarded as significant.
The other day the Admiral was unwise
enough to make some remarks to newspaper
men about the doings of the Administration,
aud now finds himself called to account by
the Navy Department, and with the prospect
Of 4 court. martial in store. unless he explains
the why's and whcrefores of his observations.
The President has appointed Col. A. +. Fleet
of Missouri; the Rev. 81. NJ. Benton. of Ken
lucky; r. NJ. Thompson. of New York; Prof.
T. J.. Lolnsbury, OF Yale University; T.. 2.
Morrisette, of Alabama; j. Il. Henderson, Of
Missouri. and Prof. w. NJ. Thornton, OF tho
University Of Virginia, members Of the Board
of Visitors TO the Naval Academy. Tic other
members OF the Board arc Senator'S Faulkner,
OF West Virginia aud Teller, Of Colorado, and
Representatives Sayor. of, Texas; Tate, of
Georgia, and Hull, Of iowa.
The retirement of Rear dmiral Meade will
make some unexpected promotions in the
Navy. 1t will advance Commodore l.. A.
Bcar1sley, now in command OF the Pacific Sta
ton. He has occupied the grade of Commo-
dore less than Il year. Beardsley will not be
retired until 1898. Capt. John A. Howell,
Commandant of the Washington Navy-yard,
becomes a Commodore. Commodore Nichol
Ludlow becomes Captain, and Lieutenant
Commander c. G. Todd, who is Inspector of
Ordnance at the Norfolk Navy-yard. will be-
come Commander. Licut. Gottfried Block
linger, Lieutenant of the Junior Grade Leroy
81. Garrett and Ensign w. u. Doggatt, on duty
at the Coast Survey, will each be advanced.