New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-01-17
THE DIVISION OF THE FIRST BRIGADE
SPECULATION AS TO WHO WILL. BE THE COM
MANDERS

MANDERs.
The work OF the National Guard Reorganization
Commission has been anticipated by the members
Of the First Brigade who seem to think that there
is no doubt as to the division Of the brigade and
although nothing definite has yet been published
the subject a quiet canvass is sorg on for the
two brigader- generaships which will have to be
filled. If Governor Black should exercise his pre-
rogative these coveted Offices might be filed by ap-
p0intmert. but many officers believe that ne will
allow the field officers OF The various organizations
10 vote for the commanding officers
The plan suggested some time ago was 10 divide
the brigade into two parts, in keeping with the To-
cation Of the armorics. This would have one brig
AIDE composed OF the Ith. list. 69th and sth regi-
ments and the "a Battery. and the other brigade
made up OF the 18th. 22d and ON regiments the
cavalry and the LIST Battery. with the Signal Corps
be disposed Of.
As soon as this plan was suggested a number Of
persons who are interested ia the Guard predicted
that Colonies Greene and Butt would become the
comma pGers OF the new brigadcs but when Colonel
Greene declared that he would accept the command
only If elected, and when 1t became known that an
election would be more satisfactory to the major
ity OF the members Of the brigade the situation be-
came complicated. The commanders OF the regi-
mcns Of the proposed eastern brigade are Colonies
Appleton. Greene, Smith and Chauncey. From this
list tho name Oi the commander OF the fth must
be taken because II IS well known that he has
makes the contest In mat brigade among the
other three colonies, ana ID s. likely that il an
election each would receive the four which
a regiment Is entitled and the four votes OF the
TN and one vote Of Captain Wilson'S battery would
decide the matter. Colonel George Moore Smith
was the lieuenant-c colonel OF the 9Th when he was
placed in command OF the iisOrganiZcd G9th Bat
TALON. and officers think tAat because OF for
ties the votes Of the fth would nt cast FOR
him. which would give him the star. II that should
be the outcome OF the election II would please a
great many members 81 The 63ih. not only because
their commander would he promoted but because
II would leave the way clear 10 make the regiment
wnat the hOmc-rule party In mat organization
thinks IT should be- an Irish regiment R!th an Irish
colonel.
As to the West Side brigade Colonel Seward being
the senior commanding officer gould be the logical
candidate. hut 1t Is believed that The Off OF
the 2d would be- glad TO sfc their commander.
Colonel Bartlett. promoted nut ~ the regiment, and
would help II nlons by voting for him FOR bri4aiicr-
general, ard Colonel Chauncey could probably pre-
vail upon the field officers ~ the Sih To give him
tneir votes. II that were done the lst Battery's
one vote might decide the matter; yet that might
be equaliaod. II the Signal Corps one vote went
for some other candidate
The whole matter Is simply speculation, but II has
Kept the officers OF the First Brigade busy for the