Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-07-25

of March 3, 1863, for such officers. nom
commissioned officers and pr.vatcs as have
most distinguished or who may hereafter
most distinguish themselves in "cuon.'
He was brevettei 'fo- most distiIS he'd
eallantry in action against Mosby's guer
rillas, between Catletts and Fairfax sta
serving as lieutenant colonel and quarter
master of volunteers, chief quartermasIer
of the second army corps
General Batchelder was born in Mere
dth, n. H.. July 21 1882. He enlisted in
the 1st New Hampshire Regiment ct the
breaking out of the war. and ap-
pointed regimental G'iaT:ermaster. list
Regiment New HAMPSHIRE Volunteers,
April 80, 1861. Fifteen days after his
appointment he had his regiment uniform
ed, armed and equipped. and field trans
portation provided for baggage, tens and
supplies. This comprehensive grasp of
details and great executive ability brought
him to the attention Of field command
ers and secured for .,im rapid promotion
He was appointed captain and assistant
quartermaster, and assigned to duty as
chief quartermaster of the corps of OBJ
servation in August. 1861: chief quarter
master second division. I'd Corps Army of
the Potomac, March, 1sG2; lieutenant col
onel and chief quartermaster. ID Corps
Army of the Potomac. January. 1863: act
ing chief quartermaster. Army of the Po-
tomac. June, 1864; colonel and chief quar-
termaster. Army of the Potomac August
1864. 1t was as chief quartermaster Of
the Army of the Potomac that his powers
were fullest displayed. having charge CT
the immense baggage trains of that great
force. comprising some five thousand
wagons and thirty thousand horses and
mules, on the campaign from the Rapidan
to The James, which he handled with con-
summate skill.
Gen. Grants Praise.
Gen. Grant said Of him: TT is with Of
ficers Of such qualifications that it is de-
sirable we should fill up the standing
army Gen. Hancock said: Il consider
him the most efficient officer in the depart
ment of the volunteer service" Said Gen
Meade: He not only managed his import
ant department with great Judgment and
skill. but rendered me essential service on
the battlefield a staff officer, showing
high personal gallantry in the immediate
presence of the enemy" Gen. Howard
said: He has not a superior in ability
ard experience. Much Of the success of nv
department is due to his untiring intelli-
gence and faithful service" He was bre-
Vetted major, lieutenant colonel and briga-
dier general Of volunteers, and major lieu
tenant colonel and colonel United States
army, for faithful and meritorious service
during the war. He was appointed captain
and assistant quartermaster in the regular
service in February, 1866, and from that
Gate until 1889 he served as assistant and
chief quartermaster at various depots posts
and departments. On July 10, 1890 he was
dpPouteu HudfleFHidSteF general of the
army by President Harrison, and has ad-
ministered the exactirg and multifarious
duties Of that office witt, great ability
During his administration as quarter
have been built: Fort Crook, Neb.: Fort
Brady, Mich: Fort Bliss, Texas: Fort Yel-
lowstone. Wyo.; Fort Ethan Allen. Vt; post
near Little Rock, Ark: Fort Harrison,
Mont. and Plattsburg Barracks n Y
Among the posts which have been en-
larged are: Fort Mcpherson, Ga: Fort
Sheridan. ILL.,: Fort Logan, Col: Fort
Thomas, Ky; Fort Myer, Va, and Madison
Not less important has been the remodel
ing of the following posts: Davids Island,
New York harbor Columbus Barracks
Ohio; Jefferson Barracks, Mo-: Preside of
San Francisco, Cal; and Governors Island,
New York harbor.
His Successor.
There is considerable speculation as to
Gen. Batchelder's successor, but it is gen
orally agreed that the selection, which is
by law confined to the quartermaste ter's de-
partment, will go to one of the four colo
nels, who, in order of seniority, are Col.
Chas. G. Sawtelle, stationed at Governors
island, N. Y; Col Marshall l. Ludinston.
stationed at Chicago: Col Jas NJ Moore,
stationed in New York city, and Col. Geo.
II. Weeks, on duty in this city as depot
quartermas;er. Coils. SaWtei!e and Weeks
are graduates of West Point, but Coils.
Ludington and Moore were appointed TO
the army from civil life. Col. Sawtelle was
senior of Gen. Batchelder when the latter
was appointed to the head of the depart
ment. and is regarded by many persons as
standing the best chance of selection, al
though Col. Ludington has powerful po-
litical influence and is making a strong
fight for the place.
Military precedents offer no logical solu-
ton Of this matter. There are just as many
Plecedents in favor of the selection of a
juniorofficer as there are in favor of the
selection or the senior ranking officer OF
the corps. OF the four officers named Col
Weeks will be the first to retire and the
appointment of either of the others will,
in the natural order of events effectually
prevent hio further promotion. He reaches
the retiring age February 3. 1898. Col
Sawtelle retires next, in May, 1898 TO be-
followed in order by Col. Moore in Octo-
ber. 1901. and Col. I,lldjnpfon in J,,l,- 1,,np