The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-07-15
PETERSON IS THE MAJOR
GOVERNOR MOUNT FINALLY ENDS
THE LONG DELAY.
Battalion Formation Arranged and
the Companies Given New Let
ters-NOtes of the I6Ist.

Governor Mount yesterday decided to end
the embarrassment that has existed over
the appointment of the junior major of the
dred-and-sixty- Regiment by
naming Lieut.. NJ. r. Peterson for the place,
instead of Capt. Omar L. Bundy, to whom
the place was rendered three weeks ago.
The Governors reasons for arriving at this
determination are fully explained in two
kilograms. the one TO Adjutant General Cor
bin and the other to Judge Bundy, at New
Castle, who is Captain Bundy's brother. The
telegram to the adjutant general says: I'm
view of the fact that the War Department
is apparently unable to give me any definite
information concerning the whereabouts of
Lieutenant Bundy or his intention to accept
junior majority of Observation-Disclosures
first Indiana Regiment, and also in view of
the fact that the outbreak of yellow fever
will inevitably result in strict quarantine
against Santiago, where Lieutenant Bundy
is now presumed to be located. and, where
as, the colonel of the ne-hundred-and-six-
ty-first Regiment demands the immediate
appointment of major, and the United
States mastering officer is dsinclined to
muster the regiment now ready because of
a vacancy in the majority. I, therefore,
countermand my former request for the de-
ago. and appoint Lieut.. Matt r. Peterson,
of the Sixth United States Infantry. whom I
trust you will detail, in order that l may
Immediately assign him to duty. The good
of the service demands this action
Following is copy of the telegram to
Judge Bundy:
THE OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES Regi-
ment now awaits final muster. The colonel
Ja,-, .I1
bins dispatch conveys no information.
Twenty days have elapsed since 1 requested
War Department to order Lieutenant Bundy
to report to accept majority, but not word
has been received in return. The certainty
of quarantine. on account of yellow fever,
adds to the uncertainty and delay. In JUS
tice to the regiment, am compelled to act,
and have. therefore, decided upon the ap-
pointment of a major, whose services are
sorely needed. and who is at once available.
In the event of another call for volunteers
Lieutenant Bundy will be provided for, as it
was intended he should be in this
The Governor expressed the belief that the
War Department would grant Lieutenant
Peterson leave of absence from the army
in order that he might accept the majorship
of the ne-hundred-and-sixty- first Regi-
ment Yellow fever is reported to have
broken out and the knowledge that a quar-
antine would probably prevent Lieutenant
Bundy from coming into Indiana for fort
night after reaching the United States,
coupled with the refusal of Lieutenant Wa
terman to muster in the regiment without
the majorship being filled, precpitated the
Governors action. The news of the appoint
ment of Lieutenant Peterson as major of
the NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. Regiment
reached Camp Mount yesterday noon and
caused general rejoicing among all grades
of the troops. Among the first to congratu-
late him was Colonel Durbin, and the rest
of the staff officers were not slow in adding
their testimonies of good will The new
major, while not as yet relieved from duty
in the regular army, went to work at once
and proved himself of service to Colonel
Durbin. who has been, for several days.
hard at work All day long the officers in
camp waited the word from the adjutant
general at Washington, which would au
thorize the muster of the new major with
the rest of the officers, but when supper
time came and no telegram was in evidence,
1t was decided to hold the matter over until
to-day.
THE BATTALION FORMATION.
Colonel Durbin, with the assistance of the
staff and field officers, yesterday arranged
the battalion formation of the regiment.
Under the schedule arranged all the COM
panies are given new letters designating the
rank of each company in the regiment. The
first battalion is composed of Companies A,
e, X and NJ and will be commanded by
Lieut.. Col. Backus. The second battalion,
under the charge of Major Megrew, will
have Companies B, D, F and 1, while Major
Peterson will command the third battalion,
consisting of Companies G, G, II and l..
The ranking company is that from Ham
mond, commanded by Captain Odds, which
regiment is listed as follows: Company B,
Mount Vernon. Captain Menzies; c, Shelby
vile, Captain Hudgins; d, Madison. Captain
Cosby; f, Jeffersonville Captain Baird; F,
Richmond. Captain Smith; G, New Castle,
Captain Ogburn; Fl, Rushvile, Captain
Columbus Captain Stott l.. Michigan City,
Captain Anderson M, Lawrenceburg, Capt.
West The honor of being the color bearers
fell to the lot of the Richmond company,
which is full of proud men in consequence.