Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-12-04

army corps, Army OF the Potomac, until
May "a, 1864. when he was honorably dis
charged "on account of wounds received in
action" He was promoted through all the
grades from private to first lieutenant; was
brevetted captain and major of United
states Volunteers for gallant and merito-
rious services in the battles Of Fair Oaks,
Bristoe station and the Wilderness, and re-
ceived medal of honor from Congress for
galantry In action al Bristoe station Va
October A. 1863, on which occasion he was
wounded in the right arm and through the
Dody and was left on the battlefield for
dead.
Colonel Urell has been connected with the
National Guard since it's organization, en-
talon, of which battalion he was sub
sequently major. On the organization of
the I'd Regiment he was appointed lieuten-
ant colonel.
District since the close of the war, and
has been employed in the War Depart
ment during that period He is particularly
well known in Grand Army of the Rerub-
lie circles throughout the country ard is
a past department commander of the De-
partment of Potomac of this city. He is
also remembered by old base bali en.hu-
siasts, having been prominent member
and player in the old Union and National
clubs with Senator German, Senator Nal
Tory, Assistant Secretary Cridler, Private
Secretary Babcock, n. H. Young, John
Berthrong and other well-known PLAYERS
of former days. Colonel Urell was a MEM
Der of the District legislature in 1SI3-'7I
He is adjutant of the Medal Of Honor Le-
gion.
Record of Lieut.. Col. O'Brfen.
Lieutenant Colonel Richard A. O'i:ren
| was born in Martinsburg, w. Va. May J,
| 1852 but has been a resident OF the Dis
| trict of Columbia since 1864. His mill
| tary career started about the latter part
Of 1879 as a member of the Washington
,ph ard laI ,t,;-
Oyster, the present commander of the Ma
| uonal Rifles of this city. He became d
member OF the Washington Light Infantry
Corps December 6. 1850, remaining IN that
ganization about one year. He enlisted
| IN, the National Guard a member Of TIE
+ Emmet Guard, then assigned as Company
B. Sd Battalion, December II. 1887; was
appointed corporal May g. 1SSS, and was
detailed acting aid-de-camp on the gen.
eral staff during the annual inspections IN
1890 He was appointed majo" of the 9Th
Battalion September 4. 1870. was detailed
to command the I'd Battalion March II,
1892, and was placed permanently in COM
mand Of the I'd Battalion. to succeed Major
Bracket. May 1. 1893. While N command
of the Emmett Guard Lieutenant Colonel
O'Brien was a member of the brigade rifle
team which won the Hilton trophy at
Creedmoor in 1890, standing sixth among
those who participated in that competi-
ton.
Deserved Promotion, This.
uStl Has ueClueu To appoint capt.
Arthur Brooks, Company A, 1st Separate
| Battalion, major of that battalion. This
promotion has been expected and on all
sides is believed to be the proper thing
Maj. Brooks is soldier every inch Of him.
He is instructor of the colored High School
Cadets. and has long been connected with
the LIST Separate Battalion, being in COM
mand during the illness and since the death
IF Mai TraIerjplS
commanded the battalion at camp last June
and thoroughly demonstrated his ability
as battalion commander.
1t is question who will succeed to the
majority of the I'd Battalion. If he wanted
it. it is believed that Capt. Eugene c. Ed
wards. commanding Company A, could Sc
cure the promotion in a minute. as he is
not only the ranking captain of the bat
TALON, but also stands almost at the top in
order of rank of the captains of the entire
guard. But Capt. Edwards is very well
satisfied to remain just where he is. He
stated to Star reporter yesterday that
under no circumstances would he leave his
company. He is devotedy attached to the
command, and it would undoubtedly suffer
seriously if he severed his connection with
it, Capt. Charles S. Domer is too closely
identified with the interests of his COM
mand, Company c, to accept promotion
Capt. Edgar A. Shilling of Company B is
the second ranking captain of the battalion,
but his age is against him. and, then, there
al z OtHei IedsoLS WHY he Will step into
Lieut.. Col. O'Brien's shoes. 1t may be
stated as a certainty that Capt. Alfred p
Robbins, aid-de-camp on the general staff
who has been mentioned for the place. will
not be a major just yet Capt. Robbins is
too valuable an officer to let go and is very
much needed just where he is on the gem
eral STAFF. Furthermore, it Is understood
that he does not desire to be placed in COM
mand of the I'd Battalion, and that ought
to settle the matter.
1t Is not at all unlikely that the new ma
1or may be an outsider, and should that be
the case. Capt. James F. Oyster, the we'll
has been suggested for the vacancy At ali
events, the company commanders of the
battalion will very likely be consulted be-
fore an appointment is made.
Those in a position to know seem to
think that Capt. Harry Walsh of Company
will have the refusal of the majority of
the 4th Battalion While he would un-
deubtedly appreciate the honor of such a
promotion, and would make a most desir-
able commander, Captain Walsh is very
much in doubt as to whether he can leave
lorg connected, and in which he Is so in
terested. 1t will require several days be-
fore Can't. Walsh can reach a decision.
Other Matters of Interest.
The resignation of Major Campbell was
rendered Immediately after the return from
camp last June but was held at ID Regi-
ment headquarters by Col Clay, at whose
request Major Campbell remained with the
guard.
The promotion Of Capt. Bell will probably
result in the Advancement of First Lieut.
George c. Shaw, inspector of rifle practice
Of the 9Th Battalion. to the captaincy and
head of the department of rifle practice
of the I'd Regiment. Lieut.. Shaw is zeal
Gus and painstaking officer, and is prob
ably the best man eligible to succeed Capt
Bell
The resign alton of Major Campbell makes