The San Francisco call., 1897-05-17
REGULAR ARMY CHAN GES
An Efficient Officer Retires
From Department Head
quarters.
A Sham Battle to Be Fought at the
Preside This Morning-The Field
Day on Wednesday Next.

The recent changes that have been made
in the army consequent upon many pro-
motions have resulted in a number of
changes in the army headquarters in the
Pheian building and at the Presidio post
Brigadier- Forsyth. who would
not have been retired on account of age
until August 26, 1898, Immediately upon
being promoted to the position of major
general appointed First Lieutenant J. F.
Reynolds Lands his aid-de-cam and on
the following day asked to be placed on
the retired list. His request was at once
complied with. Thereupon, pursuant to
the direction of tslegraphic orders from
President Mckinley, William r. Shafter,
igadier-General, who was on waiting
orders, assumed command of the department
OF California on last Friday The new COM
mander has appointed his aids-de-camp
First Lieutenant Robert II. Noble of the First
Infantry and First Lieutenant John D. Miiey
of the Fifth Artillery, who succeed First Lieu
tenant J. Franklin Bell, Seventh Cavalry and
First Lieutenant Lands. First Cavalry, who
filed these positions under Brigadier- General
Forsyth.
Lieutenant Bell, who had been absent for
some time in Washington, was on his own ap-
plication relieved from duty as aid, and he
has been directed to proceed to Fort Apache,
Arizona. Lieutenant Lands will probably be
ordered to join his regiment at Fort Riley
During the time that Lieutenant Lands has
occupied the position he has just vacated he
by his aft able manner and courteous treat
ment of those who called upon him made a
necessity will take him away from the post he
held for q long time and filled we'll.
the non-commissioned officers and men at
the Presidio, while pleased that the posts
former commander is now brigadier-general
and in charge OF the Department of Califor-
MIA, regret his departure as commander
of the post, and say "we only hope the next
commander will be as we'll liked and as much
thought of was Colonel Shafter while he
was in command here. He was an ideal COM
mander."
The heavy fogs during the past week pre-
vented the practice with the large rifled guns
at the Fort Point notifications, and as accu-
racy of aim is the object TO be attained in this
practice guns will not be fired unless the day
is clear. On Friday three shots were fred
with mortars, but the result has not yet been
announced.
On Friday large signs announcing that
civilians will not be permitted TO approach
within mile of the batteries were placed in
position on the roads leading from the Pre-
sidio proper to the fortifica s1Ons.
This morning there Will be another sham
battle on Golf Hill at the Presidio 1t will
take place between half past and IL O'Clock.
ALI branches of the service will take part in
the battle and the line of action will be de-
tense of the Notifications at Fort Point against
the advance OF an imaginary enemy approach
ing from the gate at Central avenue.
First Lieutenant r. c. Croxton, Company A,
First Infantry, has been appointed acting
adjutant of the Presidio post vice Lieutenant
Noble, appointed aid-de- camp, and First
Lieutenant Ben jamin Fl. Randolph, Battery G,
Third Artillery, has been appointed ordnance
and engineer officer and placed in charge OF
the gardens at the Presidio post, vice Lieuten-
ant Miley, appointed ad-de-camp.
First Lieutenant John A. Lockwood of the
Fourth Cavalry, attached to Troop c, has been
detailed as recruiting officer.
Next Wednesday there will be held on the
parade ground the monthly field events, and
from the programme that has been prepared
it is likely that there will be considerable COM
petition for honors and prizes.