The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1898-06-30
WAR; GOSSIP.
Skirmish Shots at Various
Phases of the Struggle.

The name OF Commodore Schiey Is pro-
nounced Sly.
Gen. John ". Foster, who is the most
eminent diplomat in Misunderstanding
served as Minister to Spain, Mexico, and
Russia, been employed by China 10 settle
her differences with Japan, and constantly
employed on great international missions
says that Spain is bound to lose every
thing but the Peninsula, if she persists in
the war.
Santiago has bitter memories for Ameri-
cans. 1t is the place where Capt. Fry and
35 of the crew of the Virginius were butch
cred Dec 20, 1873. 1t then came very near
producing war between Spain and the
United States. Among the victims were
Ryan and several other GAR. men.
Ryan's GAR. badge, which he wore at
the time OF his execution, has been for Il
long time on exhibition in Washington.
Capt. JOS 3. Foraker, son of the Sena-
tor, has been assigned to the staff of the
Third Corps.
Co. c Of the Sd n. Y, now at Camp
Alger, enjoys rare advantage in going TO
the front under an experienced veteran
who commanded a splendid fighting regi-
ment during the rebellion. He is Col. j. g..
Butler, formerly CT the 1f1th n. y, one of
the 800 fighting regiments" AM which
lost 5S1 killed and wounded out OF total
enrolment of 2,1O2. 1t belonged to Cutters
Brigade. of Wads worth's Division, First
Corps, which opened the battle OF Gettys-
burg for the infantry. Col. Butler has for
years commanded separate company IN
Oswego, which volunteered in body, and
he thus re-enters the field wearing the dou-
be bars of Captain, where he left it more
than 80 years ago with the well-won eagles
OF a Colonel ornamenting his shoulder
straps. He is i've, energetic man, and
an earnest comrade OF the GAR, being
Commander of his Post at Oswego.
Frank A. Kline, a youngster just out OF
the San Francisco High School, and son
of Col G. Mason Kline, well-knOwn IN
GAR. circles. and Mrs. Elizabeth D'A.
Kinne, Past President, National Woman s
Relief Corps, is Acting Second Lieutenant
of Marines aboard Admiral SIMPSONS
flagship, the New York, and took part in
the bombardment of San Juan, as well as
the ether operations of the feet. In a
private letter to his parents he wrote a
spirited account of the affair at San Juan,
which has been printed in the San Fran
cisco papers, and attracted much attention.
Thos. l.. Rosser, of Charlottesville, Va,
who has been appointed a Brigadier- Gen
eraI of Volunteers, and assigned 10 the
command of a division in tn Sixth Corps,
under Gen. Wilson, is picturesque, SEN
sation-loving man, who now rounds up a
variegated life in the uniform of the United
States Army. He was graduate OF the
Virginia Military Institute, and supposed
himself to have torn off large slab OF
military genius. In reality he was a
very active, capable cavalry leader, who
gave us a great deal OF trouble. In the
course Of the war he came into command
OF a brigade of rebel cavalry, mostly re-
cruited in the Shenandoah Valley. He
called it the Laurel Brigade, and each
man wore sprig Of laurel in his hat. He
entered the Valley during Sheridan s
operations. with considerable proclama-
ten as the Savior Of the Valley" He
achieved enough successes to direct
Sheridan's attention to him, and cause
an energetic order to Torbert, then COM
mandng our cavalry, to give him a
thorough cleaning out. The result was
the famous Woodstock Races" in which
Rosser's command was terribly whipped,
and then chased over a large and very
rough portion of Virginia. After Rosser
had gathered himself together again, and
was riding alongside of old Jubal Early,
the latter squeaked out in his peculiar
way:
"Rosser, you ought to change the me
of your brigade to the Grapevine. The
laurel isn't a runner"
At the conclusion of the war Ross er
went into railroad building. and got some
lucrative contracts on the Northern Pacific,
by which he made a fortune, and has been
living for years in good style at Char cites
vile. He has made several dGshes into
politics, has been in all parties, and tried
unsucces sfully to break into Congress.
At one time he pEofessed himself
thoroughly reconstructed, and radical
Republican. Then he went back to Viz
ginia, and few years ago startled the
country with some unwhpped, "un-
devoted to-the glorious prin ciples - war
whoops. There are only two things we
can be sure Of during his coming service.
The first is, that if he gets any chance, he
will put up a good fight, and the next is
that he will not let the country lose sight
of him at any time.
Three grandsons of Semmes, the COM
mander of the Alabama, are now in the
United States service. One is Il cadet in
SIMPSONS feet, another is Il Major III the
18th Tenn. Vols, and the third is 4 Sergeant
in the 1st Tenn. Vols. They are the sons
of l.. l.. Wright, who married Semmes'S
daughter, and was himself an artillery
officer in the Confederate army.
The tallest soldier in the Army is said
to be private Henry jackson, of Co. n
I'd n. j., who is six feet six and three
quarters inches in hight.