New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-02-25

Elected Commander Of the New First Brigade
ment: Major Washington Content 18th Reg
iment: Colonel Franklin Bartlett. ODD Regiment;
Lieutenant Colonel William V. King. 22d Resi-
ment: Major George +. Demarest 22d Regi-
ment: Major Nathaniel r. Thurston. 22d Reg
iment Necessary to A choice. seven votes.
All doubt as to Squadron having vote In
the election was removed before the poll opened
ny news received from brigade headquarters
that the cavalry had been detached from the
First Brigade and ordered together with the
First Signal Corps. to report to Major-General
Roe Both these commands Will he permanently
attached to Division Headquarters.
MAJOR THURsTON VOTES FIRST.
Immediately after the order had been read
Major Thurston opened the boodless battle by
casting his vote He was followed In rapid or
der by Major Dcmarest, Major Burns. Captain
Wendell. Colonel Bartlett. Lieutenant Colonel
Leonard Major Content and Lieutenant Colonel
King The votes Of these officers were in the
box ten minutes after the opening hour and,
although the other electors in the
mory they seemed to hold back. and much
whispered consultation took place
Colonel Butt came into the room where the bal
loting took place after a short time and retired
without voting, but his whole demeanor indi-
Gated that he had no doubt as to the result.
In the hall and in all parts OF the armory
there were members OF the National Guard who
were deeply Interested in the election. Among
those in the main hall while the vote was in
progress were Colonel G. J. Greene Major Fred
erick r. Lee and Adjutant-General ]. Weaver
of the 9TH Regiment
After considerable hesitation Colonel Seward
deposited his vote and followed by the other
officers of the 9th Regiment in this order Lieu
tenant Colonel Rand. Major Japha and Major
Lorigan, and then. to expedite matters. Colonel
Butt cast the thirteenth and last vote.
1t was well known that Colonel Seward had
been a candidate for the office and that he had
the support Of the officers OF his command and
that the votes OF the officers Of the 22d Regiment
would determine the contest. Colonel Seward
must have. known how these were cast because
he withdrew from the fight and cast his vote
for Colonel Butt. in which act he was followed
by the officers Of the 9th. as the result showed
General McLeer appointed the junior majors
Lorigan. Content and Thurston. to act as tellers.
and upon their count General McTeer declared
that Colonel Butt had received the thirteen votes
cast.
THE NEW BROADER CONGRATULATED
In announcing the vote General McLeer con-
graduated General Butt in a few well-chosen
words. and said that the honor which had been
conferred upon him was one OF which any man
might feel proud
The newly elected General made no response
except TO invite the electors to neghboring
hotel, where they enjoyed his hospitality.
General SUIT was one Of the FIRST officers TO
suggest the division Of the First Brigade and an
interview on that subject. published in The
Tribune months ago. attracted much attention.
His plan was favorably looked upon a, head
quarters.
The now Acknowledgement was set up" IN
the 9Th Separate Company. Of Troy. the organi-
cation OF which General Tillinghast was n men,
her. Hc remained a member OF that command
from May 1850, until June -. lSS.;. when he
was transferred 20 Company *. 9TH Regiment
lie became a second Lieutenant I'm Company T.
18th Regiment. February - ltSj; first lieuten-
ant OF Company -, 12th Regiment. October IS
1883. and resigned on November Ii. 1887. on
March u. lSSS. he re-enlisted as private in
the Tenth Company, 9TH Regiment. and became
cOmmissary OF subsistence of the Eth Regi-
ment. with the rank OF first lieutenant On Feb
ruarv . 1891 From the rank Of first lieutenant
the young officer took a sweeping jump to lieu
nt-colonel OF the 18th Regiment IN Feb
ruary. lSiE. and was its executive officer and
10 all intents and purposes its colonel year be-
fore he was elected. on November 20. 1876 to fiji
the colonelcy made vacant by the resignation Of
Colonel Dowd.
The only opponent TO General Butt I'm The con-
test Cor the star-and his opposition was with
drawn at the final moncnt-Was Colonel Will
lam Seward who served as corporal Of the Fifth
Company 18th Regiment. from April 10 10 June
g. 1851 and advanced 10 first lieutenant in 1862
He returned from the front in July 1861 His
service in tho National Guard began on October
]. 1SjS when he enlisted I'm Company T. 9TH
Regiment. lie was honorably discharged from
that command ia October. 1863. and became
adjutant Of the 9th Regiment IN September
1866. advanced TO major June :. 1865 leuten-
ant-coloncl ana assistant adjutent- general Third
l'risade, April J. $50 and colonel 9th Regiment
April l., 1881 lie is the senior regrn -ntai com
mand'r IN the National Guard Of the State
General Butt said last night that he had not
thought II any STAFF appointments as yet and
that he would probably appoint one AID within
"a Few days, but no other officers
btfofc ms commission can he issued General
Butt VIII nave IN 90 before and pass tho Ex-
aiming Board. which Win be easy matter