Evening star., 1897-06-14
TO HONOR COL. MILLS.
Likely to he Made Brieadfer Gen.
ernl. When He VIII Retire.

. The retirement a few days ago of Gen.
j. K. Miner. one of the recently appointed
brigadier generals, left a vacancy in that
grade of the army. which, it is expected
will be filled by President Mckinley soon
after he returns to this city from his visit
to the Tennessee centennial exposition. Up
to within the last few days it had been
generally beeeved in army circles that Col
H. c. Merriam of the 7th Infantry. who is
the senior colonel in the army would be
the next brigadier general, but the unnex-
pected delay In his nomination has given
rise to the impression that the President
has decided to defer Col. Merram's ad-
>vancement temporarily. in order that the
honor may be bestowed upon another Off
Ger who otherwise would not be likely to
have a chance of promotion.
The plan, as now understood, Is to ap-
point Col Anson Mills of the I'd Cavalry to
the vacant brigadier generalship. with the
understanding that he will Immediately re-
tire in that grade. in order that the per-
manent appointment may be given to Col.
Merriam. who. as it stands. has already
been jumped by four of his juniors. The
intended compliment to Col. Mills is espe-
cially well deserved. and involves no pos
sible reflection upon Col. Merriam. 1t
merely defers the promotion of the latter,
and enables the President to honor two
officers who have served their country with
ability and distinction.
Col. Mills was a cadet at the Military
Academy from July l, 1855, to February
1857 leaving the institution in the latter
year to go to the frontier of Texas and
engage in engineering and land surveying.
He laid out the first plan Of the city of Ell
Paso, and in 1889 was surveyor to the
boundary commission establishing the
boundary between New Mexico, Indian ter
ritory and Texas.
In February, 1851, on submission to the
question of separation" or no separa-
ton he cast one of the lonely two votes
in the county of Ell Paso against separa-
ton. to 9s5 for separation In March, 1851,
he abandoned the state. coming to Wash
ington, and here joinend the military or
ganization known as the 'CaSsius M. Clay"
Guards. Quartered. armed and equipped by
the United States government. and served
here. protecting federal officers and prop
erty. until relieved by volunteer forces
called out by the President. On May ii,
1851, he was appointed first lieutenant Of
the 18th Infantry. on the recommendation
of the then first class at the Military
Academy.
His war record is particularly creditable
He was never absent. either on leave or
from sickness, and was present In all the
engagements Of his regiment.
Fox's "Regimental Losses" states that
his regiment QSth Infantry lost more in
killed and mortally wounded than any
other regiment In the regular army. and
more in killed and mortally wounded than
any company in his regiment.
he was prevented captain december II ,.
1862. for gallant and meritorious services
in the battle Of Murfreesboro. Tenn,
major, September 1. 1864, for gallant and
meritorious services in the battle of Chick
amauga: Ga. and during the Atlanta cam
paign: lieutenant colonel. December 16,
1864. for gallant and meritorious services
in the battle Of Nashville, Tenn, and
colonel. February q. 1890. for gallant
services in action against Indians, at Slim
Buttes Dakota. September 8. 1876
He joined the 4th Cavalry July 49, 1890,
and served at the Preside Of San Fran
cisco. Cal. to October 81. 1891: command
ing the regiment and post Of Fort Walla
Walla. Wash, to February II. 1s93.-
He Joined the Sd Cavalry February q,
1898. and commanded 1t and the post of
Fort Mcintosh. Texas, to June p. 1893. and
the post Of Fort Reno. Oklahoma, to Au-
gust II, 1898: since October 28 1893, he has
been on duty as commissioner Of the United
States International boundary commission
of the United States and Mexico. He is
now In this city on business connected
with the boundary work.