Evening star., 1897-01-05
Major General Ruger Will Cross the
Age Line in April.
MANY CHANGES IN ARMY AND NAVY
Three Flag Officers Will Be Lost
This Year.
9TH E r RET I r E NJ E n Z s

Many important changes will occur in the
personnel of the army and navy during the
| present year. Several appointments in the
| higher grades will devolve upon President
Cleveland, but the large majority will not
become necessary until after his retire
| ment from office. These changes will all
result from the operation of the laws
which compel the retirement of officers of
| the army who have reached the age of
sixty-four years, and of officers of the
| navy who have reached the age of sixty
| two years. During the present year many
officers who have served their country
with distinction will be affected by these
statutes.
Retiring Department Commanders.
In the army two department command
ers will be placed on the retired list, Maj.
Gen. T. H. Ruger, the second ranking Off
Ger of the army, commanding the Depart
| ment of the East, with headquarters at
New York, who will retire April 2, and
Brigsdier Gen. Frank Wheaton, command
| ing the Der lartment of the Colorado, who
will reach the retiring age, May. g. Major
General Wesley Merritt, commanding the
Departure ent of the Missouri, will undoubt-
ed1y succeed Gen. Ruger in command of
the Department of the East, but in case
he so elects. he will continue in his pres
ent command, and some one else will be
selected Gen. Ruger's successor. The
cancy in the grade of major general
caused by Gen. Ruger's retirement, would
naturally fall to Gen. Jno. r. Brooke, COM
manding the Department Of Dakota or to
Gen. Wheaton, as the senior brigadier gen
erals, but their own early retirement may
| result in the selection of one of the
younger brigadier generals having longer
to serve. The two retirements mentioned
will vacate two important commands and
Will result in promotions all through the
line.
COmmissary Changes.
An earlier retirement than either of
these, however, is that of Brig. Gen. NJ. r.
Morgan. commissary general of subsist-
ence, which occurs on the 18th of the pres
ent month. Col. T. c. Sullivan of the sub
sistence department, and Gen. Morgan's
principal assistant, is next in line of pro-
motion, but he may not get the coveted
commission, for the reason that he will
himself retire for age in November next,
and the policy Of the administration is ad-
verse to short terms in bureau Offices His
most formidable competitors for the COM
| missary generalship are Col. W. H. Bell
chief corlmissary of the Department of the
W. A Elderkin and W. H. Nash. Col
Gushing is on duty in this city, Col. Elder
Kin In Chicago and Col. Nash at Vancouver
barracks.
Gen. Craighil to Retire.
Another important staff vacancy in near
prospect is that of chief Of engineers. Brig.
Gen. w. P. Craighill, the incumbent, will
retire July /. Col. H. NJ. Robert, formerly
Eng'neer Commissioner of the District and
now stationed at New York city, and Col.
John M. Wilson, In charge of public build
ings and grounds, are next in line of pro-
motion, In the order named. For some un-
explained reason, the impression is general
IN Ihe engineer corps that the appointment
Will go to Col Wilson. There would be no
doubt whatever on that score If the an
polntment devolyed upon the present ad-
miniStration.
Brig Gen. q. D. Ruggles adjutant gen.
eral will retire on account of age Septem-
Der IL next and the three officers next in
rank In that department are Col. o. n
Greene, stationed at San Francisco; Col.
osl ters and recK Eek On duty % at army headquar-
New York Col. Breck and Col Corbin
each have strong friends in the next ad-
ministration. but Col. Greene's seniority
and record will stand him in good stead.
Naval Changes.
The navy will lose three flag officers bv
retirement during the year-Rear Admiral
Jno u. Walker, president Of the light house
board, who will retire March 20; Rear Adj
mlral Francis NJ. Ramsay chief of the bureau
Oh navigation who will retire April 5. and
rear ADMIRAL George Brown the present
ranklng officer OF the navy, now Command
Ing the navy yard at Norfolk, who will re-
tire June 10 next These retirements will,
make important changes In the navy, and
considerable speculation is already afioat
In connection Herewith
The Seniority Rule.
The consequent promotions being reau-
lated by lew according to seniority. are
known. but the question of assignments to
the omces to be vacated Is mere guess
work and of no present value, because
these arrangements will be made by a Sec
retary of the Navy as yet unnamed.
Commodores ]. N. Miller, Montgomery
Sicard and e. o. Matthews win become
rear admirals, and other promotions will
follow in regular order
Commodore r. L. Phythian, superinten-
dent OF the naval observatory, will retire
IN July next, and Commodore r. r. Wal
lace will follow suit in November Other
Officers who win retire during the present
year are Medical Directors H. M. Wells and
T.. N. Penrose, Pay Director Caspar
Schenek, Chief Engineers w. W. DUNCAN,
5 L. T. Ayres and Robert Potts, Chaplain
J. K. Lewis. Naval Constructor f. L. Fer
maid, q. L. Tanner, Commander j. G. MO-