New-York tribune., 1897-12-31
GEN. FITZGERALD TO RETIRE
TO LEAVE THE NATIONAL GUARD
AFTER FORTY YEARS SERVICE

FOX HIS STAFF AND THE COMMANDING Of
FIcERs OF THE BRroADE-HIs SPLENDID
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. AS TO THE
PROPOSED REORGANIZATION.
One Of the most harmonious military families
In the State broken up last night when
BrgadIer General Louis Fitzgerald announced
to his guests at dinner which ne gave at his
home Lexington ave. and Thirty-hfth-st. that
he would retire from the command which he had
held since March. 1882. The General said some
time ago that he would leave the service when
he had completed his fortieth year OF activity
In the National Guard. During his time OF SER
vice at the head OF the First Brigade he had
seer the various commands improved and hai
been instrumental in securing to each organiza-
ton a .,cw and handsome home. The whole
brigade had been brought to a nigh standard,
and General Fitzgerald believed that his mission
had been filled in that direction. and expressed
a desire to retire and make room for younger
blood. His friends begged him to reconsider
his determination. but when invitations were re.
celved from the General by members OF his staff
and the commanding officers n the brigade to
dinner the evening OF December 30 TO cee-
brate the fortieth anniversary Of his enlistment
In the National Guard. many Of those who ~ere
favored fancied that saying farewell would be q
part of the function.
The dinner was served In the large dining.
room Of General FItzgeraids city house. at an
obong table at one end OF which sat the host,
with Colonel Daniel Appleton. OK tfe 'th Regi-
nlent-whch was the generals old regiment
at his right, and Major Charles +. Roe. OF
Squadron A. at his left At the opposite end
eat Lieutenant Colonel Stephen II. Oln. AZ
sstant Adjutant- General and Chief Of the First
Brigade Staff with Colonel F. NiHton Greene, OK
the list Regiment, his right. and Colonel
McCoskry Butt, OF the 18th Regiment. on his
left On the side between Colonels Appleton
and Butt sat Major Auguste P. Montant, inspec-
tor: Captain Louis Wendell Of the lst Battery;
Major David Croker Inspector Of rife practice:
Colonel Franklin Bartlett Of the I'D Regiment;
Major Avery D. Andrews. engineer; Captain
Homer W. Hedge. 1st Signal Corps; Captain
William B. Coster aid--de-c camp, and Major Paul
Dana ordnance officer
On the opposite side, between Colonel Greene
end Major Roe we're Major Robert V. McKim.
surgeon: Colonel Henry Chauncey. 3r. 9Th Regi-
mont. Captain David Wilson, I'd Battery; Major
oliver Harrison ir commissary OF subsistence;
Colonel William Seward. OF the 9th Regiment,
senior colonel OF the brigade: Major W. Emlen
Roosevelt. duartermaster; Lieutenant-Colonei
William, II. Kipp. OF the 1th Regiment ana
Major Henry s Van Duzer, judge advocate.
Colonel Appleton was placed at the right OF
the hos. because ne Is the present coihihdNuer
of the regiment In which General ritzeetao
enlisted forty years ago. The only guest pres
on, who was neither a commanding oHicer Ho'
. o,,hsr ~ General Fitzgerald's military fam.
ily was Lieutenant Colone! William H. hipp' OF
,h. 9Th Regiment He asked as speclaI
,e,r.ssn,atiye ~ the Generals old regiment
y. . of his age in the service He joined the
xanonal Guard on October 21 1851. three
month. before General Fitzgerald. The only
.,ar member who was absent was captain
sydney J smith. who is in Europe. Anether
absent commanding officer was Colonei Geofs'
Moore smith. OF the 69th Regiment. who a.
tended the Mayors Sinner
THE GENERALS LETTER
When the dinner had reached the cigar period
General Fitzgerald asked the attention OF MS
guests. and said that he desired them 10 know
the contents Of an official communication Shicn
had been sent TO the various commanding ON
GERS OF the brigade. and would reach them with
their mail this morning. He then read the toi'
lowing letter:
II has been known for a long time that my re-
tir.ment from, the National Guard has been de-
ferred until should have competed or nave s seen
been deemed OF vital importance to the welfare ana
0t ine Situated and
nv to provide the handling of the entire brigade
at once: IA. ... go.
viccabie than the Remington; -,
The return on the part OF the brigade 10 s6a as
The erection OF suitable armory buildings IN tho
city OF New-York for the entire command nn, % src.
cessful issue the two commands Of the brigade
yet SUPPLIED Ss ws 5es hSys sss of @
acquisition q the prSpery may thsref9rs ore say
fo tieth anniversary OF my enlistment in the Ma:
tional Guard. ! surrender the trust received a,
have forwarded to the Commander-in-Chief the
resignation of my commission
Brigade were never greater or in higher state q
perfection ,h.npow and the obedience respec, ana
have been - gratifying. Il has been my con.
slant thought N years ha, the Nasiona n GIaTd 5y o.
rcorganizati that would give 10 It permanent
commanding officer. and that men should serve IN
and love OF service without compensation. that has
actuated us and am now assured by those iI au-
thorty that LEGISLATION is contemplated embodying
the ideas thne have so earnestly advocated II Is
hoped that ne SeS tai of .Se on s T
lativc enac;ments. The fulhlment OF my hopes IN
me- ns and. with the confident exceptation tina, faithful
service to the State and suhseryiency OF personal
GERS in the future as they have been in the past.
bid you a.ectIonate and cordial farewell.
This communication had the effect OF chang
Ing the merry party to Il sad one. and words OF
regret were freely and foengy expressed.
EXPRESSIONS OF REGRET
Colonel Seward. as serlor commanding officer.
EXPRESSED the regret of the members Of the
brigade at the loss which General Fitzgereld's
retirement would bring to the Guard. The host
then toasted his Did regiment. and Colonel Ap.
pleton acknowledged the compliment In neat
speech. In which the regiment and the host
came In for equal shares Of praise.
Colonel Appleton was followed by Colonel
Bartlett who also expressed regret at the re-