New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-05-14
FOR A NEW 18TH REGIMENT.
LIEUTENANT-cOLO LUsCOMB WILL
BE THE ORGANIZING OFFICER.
A PECULIAR CONDITION or AFFAIRS REGARDING
THE OLD REGIMENT-CLosE FEELING BE-
TWEEN COLONEL WATSON AND
SFW LEADER


THE NEW LEADER.
Word came from Washington yesterday that
Governor Black had made public his determination
to authorize Licutenan;-Coonel Charles H. Lus-
comb 70 organize a new 18th Regiment II does
not seer to be tn. intention TO have this work
begin however until the 18th Battalion. under
Major Russell at Camp Black. has been sent 20
the rront
Lie itenant- Colonel Luscomb born in Salem.
Mass On February "A. 1856 lie enlisted III Com
pany D. 22d Regiment IN 1877. He gradually rose
to the rank OF first lieutenant. and resigned with a
full and honorable discharge IN 1883 when he
moved from Ncw-York Brooklyn. It was In 1873
that he was elected captain Of Company *. l3fh
Regiment. and i've years later he was promoted
major and assigned to the I'd Battalion. W heh
Lieutenant Colonel Watson succeeded Colonel Aus
ten resigned Major Luscomb was elected leuten-
ant-colonel.
Lieutenant Colonel Luscomb's record during hs
connection with the National Guard is more than
50 per cent In attendance. He a member or the
regmental rife team Of the regiment for six years.
Besides belonging to large number or secret soci-
cites he was president Of the League OF American
Wheelmen and also Of the Long Island Nheelmen.
OF Brooklyn lie served a four years term as PARK
Commissioner Of Brooklyn and is a member OF the
Brooklyn Club He l. a lawyer by profession.
The selection OF Mr. Luscomb TO undertake the
dificult task OF reorga Milling tho 18th came as a
surprise to many people in Brooklyn. as ne was
as strenuously opposed 10 the effort to get the
members to volunteer as was Colonel wat
son. 1t is known that there was n strong
desire for ex Colonel David L. Austen to UNI
dertake the reorganization. but he declined to
lend his services for the work. The State author-
ties realize that 1t will be no easy task 10 get the
members OF the dsbanded regiment back into
new organization The motive In selecting Lieu
tenant Colonel Luscomb for this task Is believed to
o. . a ~ sha pr l.
ment would refuse to enlist under any officer who
did not represent tho idea for which Colonel Wat
fought.
There was romc speculation among National
Guardsmen T. whether loyalty and friendship
toward his old commander would permit Colonel
Luscomb to undertake the reorganization OF the
regiment. The relations between the two mon
have always been extremely cordial and II may
never be known whether Colonel Watson Is more
gratihed n having the regiment saved than he is
chagrined at having one OF his subordnates Jump
into his shoes.
II ia supposed that tho Governor in selecting
Colonel Luscomb to organize the new 18th. intends
TO assure him the command Of the regiment when
organized. Under the military code. the Cow
ernor has tho right to appoint the FIRST command
ing ofncer Of new organization. II Governor
Black nterp-ets the situation 10 the eNect that the
18th Is TO be a organization. and not merely
reorganization. he will havo tho right 70 appoint
ization OF old regiment. there would he a qnes-
ton as to this right. and Mr. Luscomb would have
to take his chances OF election.
Lieutenant Colonel Luscomb did not accompany
tho regimen, 10 Hampstead. because NJ t'd not be-
Neve his business affairs justified his enlsf!ng. He
will have fun power 70 appoint the Officers 81 the
new 18th. and he has already asked Csrta'n' Georee
W. Rodgers OF n. Harry \. Williams ~ g. GORE
w CSwen OF , SnneS 'i@n pT re- o, 10 again
assume charge Of their coinDaries fach OF these
sSmsanss has ne sa. benn aec,ded a. KNEW ,o
Major George q. Cochran - on the sGf rnGinerATJ
st and }us, whs, S 30 done E w hsnaIS 9 ds
charge blanks did not reach brooCj urt'l educr-
Monday night as Tho Tribune has already stated.
on the muster rolls there VIII be notaNcr 'Pi"'-
site the names Of the mon Tow in Hampstead as
'on duty in IN. n.ld with the battalion OF the
Tho mastering out VIII he conduc'ed by Maior
regiment will be formed in a body FOR farewell
address by Colonel Watson. whether he men
Will receive their diseh"rses informa,'y In lh,'s
was n rImor al brigade headquarters yes'eIiAf
ha sts, the men sv h %da ry S NH
have 20 he decided by the authorities A. Albany.
desire Of National Gua7dtmen 70 nave ~. am
nbir d,srharge" 70 induce the members II the old
regiment 10 enlist in tho new. man win an hon
orable dlscharge uness no nas r Ar, nv fo the
rnst Of his life while a man who has fun and
honorable discharge which IS the highest erade Is
exempt from jury duty for the remainder OF his
ltc. ,
Not more than eight companies will De enlisted.
It is believed This Will leave place for the bat
talon on duty when II returns
About three hundred az tho members OF the
18th Regiment assembled at the armoTy last eyen-
Ing Colonel Watson and Lieutenant Colonel Lus.
comb being present meeting Of an informa!
character was held. and Leutenant-Coonel Lus-
comb spoke strongly In favor o. rcoreaaiz'ag ne
regiment There considerable enthusiasm at
The idea and II was decided by those present that
they would be mustered In again as soon a. they
had been mustered out.