Evening star., 1896-06-16
A NEW COMMANDER
Colonel Samuel S. Sumner Ordered
to Fort Myer at Once.
His HONORABLE MILITARY RECORD
He Was Also Actively Engaged
in Indian Campaigns.
A POPULAR FICER

Col. Samuel s. Sumner, who succeeded
Col. Gordon in command Of the 9th Cavalry.
has been ordered to assume command of the
regimental post at Fort Myer at once. Up
to the time of his promotion he was sta
toned at Fort Leavenwor.h, Kansas. 1t
is expected that he will enter upon the dis
charge of his new duties at Fort Myer to-
morrow morning. Col. Sumner has had a
most distinguished career, and Is said to
be one of the most popular officers in the
army. He comes of good military stock,
being the son of Gen. Edwin B. Sumner, one
of the heroes Of the late war, and grand
son of Capt. Job Sumner of Massachusetts
Of revolutionary fame. He is d brother Of
Col. f. V. Sumner of the 7th Cavalry.
Service During the War.
Born in Pennsylvania, he was appointed
from New York, second lieutenant Of the
I'd Cavalry, June II, 1861, and served with
that regiment at Washington for several
months. He was aid-de-camp to Gen. Sum-
ner from November. 81, to March, 'G3, and
participated in the peninsular campaign and
the battles of South Mountain, Antietam
and Fredericksburg. Afterward he was
success:vely aid-de-camp to Gen. Wool of
the department Of the east. to Gen. Burn
side OF the department Of the Ohio and to
Cen: Parke. commanding the 9th Corps.
the siege of Vicksburg and the capture of
Jackson. Miss. Joining his regiment No
vember TO- 1863 he served with it for a short
time. when ill-health compelled his treat
ment in the hospital at Washington. On his
recovery, in February. "a, he was assigned
to mastering and disbursing duty at Spring
field Ill. He rejoined his troop in May, 49,
and served with 1t as escort to Gen. Grant
at Washington, d. c., to October of that
year. Afterward he served at Nashville,
Tenn, to March, 80, when he was ordered
to the field in Nebraska and Colorado.
In Indian Campnigns.
He was engaged in action with the In
dians at Summit Springs, Col, in July, 80.
and commanded the troops at Fort D. A.
Russell, Wyoming. until May. II. He af-
terward served at Fort Bowie, Arizona for
about three years, and at Fort Hayes,
Kansas. for about one year. He was in
the field on the Big Horn and Yellowstone
expeditions in Wyoming and Dakota, and
was engaged in hostilities at Hat Creek,
Wyoming; at Slim Buttes. Dakota, and at
Owl Creek Dakota. After being in COM
mand OF the post at Fort Sidney, Nebras-
ka, for about two years, during which time
he did considerable scouting in the field,
he joined the Sth Cavalry, and was placed
in command of Fort Mcintosh, Texas,
where he remained until December, 1888.
Subsequently he was on duty at San Anto-
MO. Tex; commanded a battalion in the
field in New Mexico; commanded Jefferson
barracks, Missouri, and was acting inspec-
tor general of the department of the CO.
lumbia. In August, 1891, he joined the 9th
Cavalry, and was on duty at Fort Mo-
brara, Nebraska, to March, 1892. In June
of that year he was on detached duty in
Washington as member Of the examining
and retiring boards, and returned to his
station at Fort Niobrara in September,
1888. From October, '93, to October, '94 he
was in command Of Jefferson barracks, and
In October, '94, he was placed in command
OF Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, and detailed
as instructor of the infantry and cavalry
school at that point, and remained on duty
there until yesterday, when he was or
dered to come to Washington.
Promotions and Brevets.
Col. Sumner entered the service as a sec
ond lieutenant in June 81; became first
lieutenant in July, '62; a captain in March,
'64; major In April, 10; a lieutenant col
onel, February, 81, and a colonel, May, '08.
He has received several brevets, one for
gallant and meritorious service in the bat
tie Of Fair Oaks. Va; another for similar
service in the battle Of Antietam, Md, and
was brevetted major for gallant services
during the campaign against Vicksburg,
and lieutenant colonel February, go for
meritorious service in action against the
Indians at Summit Springs COL in