The San Francisco call., 1897-07-28

his services with sixty picked men OF his
regiment for duty in Alaska, has been
ordered to the new post. He was born IN
Minnesota on August 16, 1857. He was
appointed second lieutenant in the Sec
ond Infantry from civil life March l, 1877,
and for twenty years served in that re IL
ment as second and first lieutenant. On
receiving his weIl.deserved promotion to
captain, august 81 1896, he was again as
signed TO the Second Infantry.
His regiment left Atlanta, Ca, July Ii,
1877, and proceeded 10 Idaho to take part
il the Nez Perces campaign. In the spring
of 1873 a portion of the regiment aided
materially in bringing the Bannock
Indians to terms. The regiment rem aimed
in the Northwest until 1885, when it was
ordered 10 Fort Omaha, Nebraska. It was
engaged in the Sioux campaign OF 1S90-9l
at Pine Ridge, and was under fire at the
defense of the agency at that place. In
1896 the regiment was ordered to take
station in the Department of Dakota, with
headq uarters at Fort Keogh, Montana.
In 1854 General Miles, commanding the
Department of the Colum bia selected Cap
tain A Abercom bic, then, a second lieuten.
ant, to explore the Copper River region OF
Alaska. The general in his Personal
RecoIections of General Nelson A. Miles
refers 10 the expedition as follows:
"Iieutenant Abercrombie found them (the
natives) inoffensiye and employed them
10 drag his boats up the river. The cur
rents, however, were so strong and he ex-
perienced so much difficulty in making
the ascent, be SIDES the draw back OF a num-
Der OF his party being sick, that he found
il impos sible 10 60 as far as he intended.
He did, however, accomplish very good
reconnaissance and exploration and M ade
some important discoveries as TO the char
acter of the country, obtaining much in
formation OF interest and value.
The captain is quite an athlete and takes
an active interest IN all athletic sports
that have recently sprung lin the army.
He tips the scales at about 200 pounds,
and when in training carries no super
fiuous flesh. He is an expert on the blcy-
Gle, especially so far as long distance rides
are concerned, and even on short trips one
has TO keep putting in order to keep W
with him. His bicycle trip, with two COM
panions of the Second Infantry, from
Fort Omaha 10 Chicago and return, afford
e good illustration of his physical endur-
ance. The party left Fort Omaha at 3 &c
A. NJ, June 10, 1896, and arrived at army
headquarters, Chicago, IL o'clock A. NJ.
June II, making total OF 58SH miles IN
seven days over an average road as rough
as It was possible for rain and sun to make
it. On June % they started on their re-
turn trip to Fort Omaha. The total mum.
Der of miles Travelled was 1142; mum Der o1
days actual travelling, 13; Average miles
per day for round trip, IS.
At military headquarters yesterday,
General Sh after, Colonel Moore, Lieuten-
ant Noble and other officers studied the
map Of Alaska drawn by Professor David
son and published in THE CALL of last
Sunday. 1t was the only available map
that gave information OF value.
1t is said that tho troops going 10
Alaska viii be supplied with clothing
similar 10 the equipment used in the Pine
Ridge campaign. I nere is lot OF this
kind OF clothing, fur trimmed and flannel
lined, al tie Presidio.