Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-02-04
GEN. sCHoFIELD's PROMOTION.
Changes In the Army That VIII Prob
ably Follow 1t.

Changes In the Army That VIII Prob
ably Follow 1t.
The promotion of Maj Gen. Schofield to
the grade Of lieutenant general will make
number of important changes in the army.
Inasmuch as President Cleveland recon-
mended the revival of the grade of lieuten-
ant general for the special benefit of Gen.
Schofield, there can be no reasonable doubt
of his prompt approval Of the act Of Con-
gress making that provision. The law pro-
vides for three major generals and the pro-
motion Of Gen. Schofield will leave a va
Cancy in that grade. Although by no
means certainty, it is generally expected
that the vacancy will be filed by the pro-
motion of Gen. Thomas H. Ruger, COM
manding the Department Of Missouri, with
station at Chicago. He is the senior Lriga-
der general, and, it is said, the President
promised him the next vacancy, when
Gen. McCook was promoted over his lead
a few months ago. Gen. McCook will be
placed on the retired list in April next on
account of age and there will then be
dents disposal. Gen. Wesley Merritt, ON
handing the Department of Dakota, will
be the ranking brigadier at that time, with
Brig. Gen. John r. Brooke, commanding
the Department Of the Platte. as No. 2 and
Brig. Gen. Frank Wheaton, commanding
the Department of Texas as No. 3. 1t is
believed that one of the three officers nam
ed will receive the coveted appointment.
The Brigadier Vacancies.
Practically all the colonies of the line may
be considered as applicants for the two
prospective vacancies in the grade of brig
adler general. The three ranking officers
in the list, by virtue of seniority, are Col.
W. r. Shafter, first infantry; Col II. c.
Merriam, seventh infantry. and Col. 2. r.
cavalry officer is Col. ]. F. Wade of the
fifth cavalry. and the senior artillery Off
Ger is Col. Fl. w. Closson Of the fourth
artillery.
The promotion Of Gen. Schofeld will in
volve no change of station. He will 1e-
main in command of the army, with bis
headquarters in this city, until his retire
ment on account of age in September next.
His retirement will result in no promotions,
for the reason that the office of lieutenant
act. 1t will, however involve a number
Of important changes, the principal of
which will be the assignment of one of
the three major generals to the active
command of the army. 1t is generally eX
pected that this duty will devolve upon
Gen. Miles, the senior major general, now
commanding the Department of the At
lantic. but there is nothing in the law to
prevent the designation of either Of the
other general officers.
Gen. Schofeld's Inspection.
Gen. Schofield has decided to make a
final inspection of all the important Mill
tary posts of the country before he closes
his active career in September next. I'm
less his present plans are changed, he will
leave here about the list of April lie will
first visit the posts in the south and south
west and gradually work his way round
the Pacific coast and then come back along
the northern frontier. returning to Wash
ington in time to transfer the command
of the army to his successor in office.