Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-01-01

missioner Ross, Commissioner TrueSdell,
Maj: Powell. Col. Richard Bright, Librarian
Spohord, Col. A. B. Hurt, Postmaster Will
lett, Mr.. Dorsey Clagett, Mr.. H. w. Van
Senden.
THE ARMY AND NAVY.
The Two Branches of the Service Call
to Pay Their Respects.
The officers OF the army, navy and
marine corps formed the next division of
the brilliant procession that passed before
the President and Mrs. Cleveland and the
ladies who assisted them. They We're all
in full dress uniform, side arms included,
and their gay apparel, Respondent in blue
and gold, contrasted well with the more
somber habiliments Of the distinguished
civilian officials who had preceded them,
Notwithstanding 1t die not equal in gor
geouSneSs and variety the court uniforms
displayed by the members of the diplomatic
corps. All branches of the military service
were we'll represented. Nearly every Off
Ger on duty in this city was present, in
cluding the artillery officers at the Wash
ington barracks, the cavalry officers at
Fort Myer and many officers of each serv-
ice stationed at New York, Philadelphia,
Baltimore, Norfolk and Fort Monroe The
officers on duty at the navy yard and at
the marine corps were out in force. With
but few exceptions the few officers on duty
throng were kept away by sickness.
Twenty minutes were devoted to the re-
cepuon OF the military, which proved one
Of the most interesting features of the oc
oasion. The officers are a fiue body of men,
and bore themselves with becoming dig
nifty. The local National Guardsmen, who
brought up the rear, were looking their
best, and it is no disparagement to> the
regulars to say that, to the uninitiated,
there was little difference between them,
80 tar as good looks and proper military
bearing are concerned.
The Right of the Line.
The army had the right OF the line. It
formed by far the majority of this sec
ton of visitors. It was a subject of gen.
eral remark that not for many years have
SO many distinguished soldiers been as
sembled together. There were other rea-
sons. also. why today's function was re-
markable from a military standpoint, the
principal one being that many of the lead
ing officers were present at a function of
this kind for the last time in their present
official capacity. Major General Schofield,
by virtue of his position as the ranking
officer of the army, was at the head of the
line, but he will not have that distinction
next New Year day, for the reason that
he retireS from active service in Septem-
Der next. In all probability he will be sue
ceeded In command CT the army by that
gallant Indian fighter. Major General Miles.
now commanding the military department
of the east, with headquarters at New
York. Another conspicuous figure near
the head of the line was Major General
A. Med. McCcok, commanding the depart
ment of Colorado at Denver. He is the
junior Officer Of his grade. having been
promoted on the retirement of General
Howard few months ago. Like General
Schoheld, his active career is near an end
He will be retired next April This is his
first visit to Washington since his promo
tlon lie is accompanied by Mrs. McCook
Two distinguished officers who came from
IN fho;~
their ccmmander-in-chief are Rrigadier
General Thomas H. Ruger, commanding
the department of the Missouri at Chicago
and Brigadier General L. S. Otis, command
ing the department of the Colorado at Van
couver barracks, Washington. Unless all
signs fail General Ruger will be made a
major general on the retirement of Cen
erai McCook. He has two years more of
active service before him. General Otis is
young alike in rank OF brigadier and in
years and has fine prospects of higher
raLk. The retirement of General Schoiield
In the fall will probably result in the pro-
motion of Brigadier General Wesley Mer-
ritt commanding the department of Da-
kota at st. Paul, who will at that time
be the ranking officer Of his grade.
The Army STAFF Corps.
The general officers were followed by the
staff officers in the order named in the
Army Register. Adjutant General Ruggles
was accompanied by his assistants, Gen. T.
NJ. Vincent, Col. H. c. Corbin, Maj. j. C.
Gilmore. Maj. Babcock and Mai. Hall.
Gen. Vincent will retiresfrom active service
within few months. The inspector gem
erals department was represented by Gen.
Breckenridge and Maj. ]. p. Sanger and
the judge advocate generals department by
COL u. N. Lieber, Col. VIM. Winthrop and
Maj. George b. Davis. Col Lieber is sched-
uled to succeed Gen. D. G. Swain, retired
as judge advocate general an office he has
virtually filled for many years. The quar-
oSfsS dar orfv1
r. N. Batchelder and was well represented.
Gen. Michael r. Morgan led the officers of
the subsistence department, and Surgeon
General q. NJ. Sternberg was at the head
Of the medical department.
Gen. William Smith appeared at the head
of the officers of the pay corps for the last
time. He goes on the retired list in March
next and will probably be succeeded in
L. H. Stanton. The corps of engineers,
which came next, was out in force. Their
leader. Gen. Thomas L. Casey, held that
place for the last time. He retires next
cessor will be Col. Wm P. Craighill Of the
Baltimore district. Another engineer Of
f1cer near retirement is Col. George H. Ell
liot, in charge Of the Washington aqueduct.
Others in line were Maj. Adams, Maj.
Davis, Capts. Knight, Goethals, Mills,
Burr and Beach, and Lieut.. Sewell.
The ordnance contingent included Gen.
D. w. Flagler, Capt. Shaler, Capt Birnie
and Capt. McNally. Several officers of the
signal corps We're also present. including
Gen. A. w. Greedy.
The Fort Mycr Officers.
The officers CT the sixth regiment OF cav
airy, headed by Col. David S. Gordon, who
came next, made their debut at White
House function. Pricr to their recent
transfer to Fort Myer. most of their time
had been spent in the fer west, and sew
eral of them, including Capt. Frank West.
have had hard service in exciting Indian
campaigns. They were all booted and
spurred and were distinguished by the
yellow trimmings of their uniform, just
as the artillery officers who followed them
were marked by uniform decorations in
red Col. Closson, fourth artillery, headed
the artillery contingent, which was made
up of officers stationed at Washington
barracks, Fcrt McHenry and Fort Mon
roe, and was the largest single section of
the military line. Infantry officers. with
their white decorations, were in the minor
ity, owing to the fact that no regiments
of that branch are stationed in this vcin-
ity. Those present are nearly all de-
tached service.
The Naval Contingent.