The San Francisco call., 1897-11-06

The War Department has ordered the
First United States Infantry, now at the
Presidio and other points in California, to
exchange places with the Seventh In
fantry, stationed in Colorado. The order
of transfer has created quite comm motion
in army circles, although a change of
some kind vas not unexpected. The First
has been stationed in California for the
past eleven years and many of the officers
and enlisted men OF the regiment have
formed strong social ties which must now
be severed by the inexorable rules of the
military service.
Two companies of the First are at
Benicia, one is at San Diego and seven are
at The Presidio. The regiment is COM
manded by Colonel Evan Miles, who re-
Gently attained his eagles. Many OF the
officers of the First are well known in
society ana club circles in San Francisco
and they will surely be missed when the
roll of representative good fellows is
called. No doubt many of the enlisted
men and perhaps few officers NAV ex-
change wit h men of the Seventh who may
secure permission to remain IN Colorado.
When the Filth Artillery was ordered to
allowed 10 remain here and become mem
bers OF the Third Artillery that came to
this city from Florida.
Fort Logan, ten miles from Denver is
by no means a station of exile, although
for pleasures of life and geniality of CHI
mate it cannot be favorably compared
with the Preside of San Francisco. The
climatic changes may tell somewhat on
troops tran feTred from the sea level to an
altitude OF 5000 eet.
TIE official o.der directing the change
was made known to the troops Yesterday.
The dlspaich from The War Department
TO General Shafter commanding the De-
partment of California, is concise. 1t says:
BY direction OF the Secretary Of War and
the ms aior-general commanding the army,
you will direct the First Infantry to pro-
ceed with as little delay as practicable to
Denver, Colo, TO replace the Seventh In
fantrv. Arrangements for transportation
should be made imm euiateiy and with the
least expense to the Government. Report
number OF enlisted men who desire to re-
main in the Department OF California, in
order that they may be transferred to the
Seventh Infantry. Commanding gener-
ais of the departments OF California and
Colorado are charged with the execution
of this order"
Preparations to break the long sojourn
In California were begun at the Presldlo
yesterday. Many regrets were expressed,
especially by the officers and men who
were stationed so long at the island posts
and had just become comfortably settled
al the Presidio. Already many enlisted
men with families dependent upon them
have signitied their intention to apply for
transfer 10 the Seventh.
While citizens of San Francisco will re-
gret the departure of the gallant First In
fantry, there is much pleasure expressed
that regiment equally lllustr:ous is COM
ing to California. The Seventh Colonel
ID. w. Benhaml is distinguished organi-
zation. 1t was organized under an act OF
Congress approved Juy 16 1898. In 1903
it was reorganizsd with William Russell
as colonel.
The first engagement in which any part
of the regiment participated. and which
is the first battle inscribed on its colors,
was Fort Harrison, Ohio, on September 4