The San Francisco call., 1898-01-16
REGULAR ARMY NOTES
How Lieutenant-COl A. E Bates Became a Military
 Attache.
A Reason Why the Light Batteries of Artillery Did Not Make
 Better Scores.

Major Edward B. Moseley of the med ical department has been granted leave Of absence for fifteen days.
 Two of the officers of the Department of California have been selected as mil itary attache, one to go to the United States Embassy at London, England. and the other to go to the United States Embassy at Paris. France. One of the fortunate individuals is Lieuten- ant Colonel Alfred E., Bates, deputy paymaster general, chief paymaster on the staff of Brigadier General Shafter, who has been selected for the embassy in London. Lieutenant Colonel Bates. while. still youth in Monroe, Mich, was the companion of the late George A. Custer who in after years became distinguished as an Indian fighter, and of George ,Spalding, whose fathers farm adjOined that of Bates, ST. One day young Bates fell into the Basin River and was rescued by young Spald- ing. When the war of the rebellion broke out young Spalding, who had grown to manhood, organized the old Smith Guard to go to the front with the Fourth Michigan Volunteers, and one of the first to answer the call was young Bates. After he had served as a private few months he was appoint ed cadet to the United States Mili- ACauGIIN r L. uated, and in 1865 just as the war was closing he was commissioned a second lieutenant of cavalry and served on the frontier until 1869. During that time he gained an enviable reputation for his conduct in fighting Indians. In 1875 he was assigned to the paymaster's de- partment, and on January of last year he assumed the duties of paymaster general in the Department of Califor- nia- Some time ago he was granted leave of absence and went to Wash ingtOn, D. C., where he waited on Gen. eral George Spalding, his old command CT in the Fourth Michigan, now a Rep resentative from Michigan, and told him that he wanted to go to the en- bassy at London as military attache. Congressman Spalding told him he would do what he could for him. and in a short time he secured the appoint ment for him. notwithstanding that there were a number of other army of ficers who were well recommended and desired the billet. The wife of Lieuten- ant Colonel Bates was a niece and the adopted daughter of the late Edwin D. Morgan. the New York banker, and she inherited good portion of his millions Mrs. Bates and her two daughters will accompany the lieutenant colonel to his new station, and as the family has large means 1t Is more than likely that they will entertain on an extensive scale.
 Captain Alexander Rodgers of Troop K, Fourth Cavalry, stationed at the Presidio, is, the other fortunate soldier who will go to Paris. He has held his commission as captain since February 1887, Is man of fine education, speaks the French language fiuently and is well qualified for the position he has been chosen to fill. The captain will remain with his company until the 1st of February, when he will make ar rangements to take his departure for his future home.
 The recent target practice by the heavy batteries of the Third Regiment of Artillery developed seventy-three first-class gunners, thirty-two of the second class and twenty-three of the third class, besides nineteen specialists, one at communication and eighteen at instruments and range tables. This is a total of 147 out. of I92 competitors.
 The results of the target practice by the light batteries of the Third Artil- lery at Redwood City some time ago was not up to the standard that the department expected, but that was not the fault of the men, but of the ammu- nition- The shells that were used as