New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-08-13
GEN. ABBOT VIII BIZ RETIRED TODAY.

HE HAS REACHED THE AGE LIMTT-INTEREsT
IN THE CHANGES THAT WILL RESULT.
General Henry L. Abbot. Colonel. he is
officially recognized in the Corps of Engineers will
retire to-day from active service in the Army. he
having reached the age fixed by statute, sixty
four years. The announcement OF this fact has al
ready been made In The Tribune, in connection with
It's highly interesting narration OF his experiences
given by the General himself. His retirement Will
bring about many changes in the officers composing
the Engineer Corps He the last member OF
the corps brevetted a brigadier-general, this final
promotion marking the climax of a long career Of
distinguished usefulness through the war.
The retirement of General Abbott will promote
Lieutenant Colonel Peter c. Hams to be csone,
Major William Ludlow TO be lieutenant-colone,
Captain Joseph Willard to be major. First Leuten-
James c. Sanford to be captain, Second Leu
tenant Charles Keller to be first lieutenant. and
Additional Second Lieutenant George =. Howell
to second lieutenant. Thus 1t will be seen that
the statute retiring officers for age is good thing
In one way. but it has its disadvantages when. as
one officer remarked TO a Tribune reporter. 1T
retires a man Of General Abbots ability and knowl-
edge when he has yet good ten years of useful
intellectual activity before him"
Continuing the officer remarked
1T Is true that. in the main. when a reaches
the age of sxty-four, he has about attained to the
limit of lifes useful active possibilities. but in a
most marked degree this is far from true of Cen
eral Abbot. His Abilities would seem TO nave just
rpened and thanks to careful living. he is in the
prime OF physical health and fitness for his work.
1t is a pity lose him from position which he
has filed with much honor TO himself and with
such decided benefits to the plans for coast defence.
which he has only projected. but seen sys-
tematcally carried out TO more than partial
completion"
The main interest in General Abbots retirement
attaches naturally. to the possible changes due 10
a reassgnment OF officers. 1t is not yet known who
will be chosen to his place in the Board Of En-
gineers AS engineer of the Northeast Division.
General Abbot has had charge of all the river and
harbor work. Notifications and lighthouse building
in New En- gland New-York and on the Lakes
far west as and. including Lake Erie. He has been
president Of the Board Of Engineers. member Of
the Board OF Ordnance and Fortitcations and also
a member of the board TO consider and report upon
the harbor lines of Now-York. 1t is not likely that
these positions Will hereafter be entrusted to
officer General Abbots diversified abilities will be
hard to duplicate.
Colonel Hams. who will be promoted. is now in
charge OF the Southeast Division Major Ludlow
Is military attache at the Court OF 81. James, and
has recently returned from Nicaragua. where he
went as a member Of the Government Commission
to survey report upon the route of the proposed
canal and he is a member OF the special Canal
Commission which is to report to the President
before the coming session OF Congress