New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-08-26


,.o, Aug 25.-The Presidents ap-
-, Of First Lieutenant Albert l.. Mills,
p0'i' +.rolrv Regulars several days ago
Isl N,~.sndent Of the Military Academy at West
Guy r,h the rank and emoluments of colonel
f0"'' created any OF the criticism and gossip
mas ~, an unusual selection would ordinarily
'n' 4, peace times. but, on the contrary, Is
Cav ,o practically universal comraendatiOn
..,-y branch ot the military service. with
~" .ss,ble exception Of the Engineer Corps.
u" has always looked upon the superintend-
rs own property. Even in this corps.
en- .ro- which learned several months ago that
SCR Of the line would I'LL the next vacancy,
disposition 20 regard the choice Of
tenant Mills as admirable under the cir
eumsances
rrhs Mace Of superintendent Of the Academy
80 always been regarded one Of the most
,~.,ortant in the Army. and keen competition
-, the assignment the rule 1t is re-
,orkable fact. however that since Colonel
IS, the last superintendent was ordered into
,hs field as Brigadier-General. only a single
.oraidate appeared for the place. and it is with
10 reflection upon mis- high ability and excep-
,,onal qualities that Captain Otto l. Helm. LIST
covalrv at present commandment Of cadets at
West Point did not secure the promotion 10
which II may be added. ne did not aspire until
4, became known that General Ernst would re-
main for some time in Porto Rico and would
under no circumstances be returned TO Yves,
Point AIA4
A CHARACTERISTIC APPOINTMENT.
The selection Of Lieutenant Hills was alto
setber remarkable. and. according 70 state
rnent made to-day by Adjutant-Genera! Corbin.
thoroughly characteristic u the President
Lieutenant Mills never presumed 20 ask Tor the
command and the appointment was probabIy
greater surprise 10 MIN than 10 any other
ofS,er IN the service. He was wounded. II was
al frsi thought mortally. IN cuba, ana was one
OF the first cOnvalescents 10 reach Washington
He came here several weeks ago with Sergeant
Cosby. OF the Rough Riders son or ray mas
ter COSBY Of the Navy. who had also fallen IN
action. and the two young men were taken over
GO the White House by Secretary Anger 10 re-
late their experiences 70 the President. Just a.
most Of the earlier returning wounded men had
been presented to the President at the time he
was anxious 10 get accounts from eyeWlthesseS
OF the terrific fighting around santiago
Sergeant Cosby was promptly commissioner
captain and assistant adJutant-general OF VOL
unteers. in recognition OF his bravery uut j
APPEARED that nothing could be done Tor NILS
who had already heen made captain ana as
sstant adjutant-general q volunteers al 'he
outbreak Of the war He had been assigned on
May u as chief % staff 70 General young
brigade composed Of the lst and lOth heBu-
lars and Roosevelts Rough Riders. and. accord
ing TO General Brecknridges report, ne par
t!cfpated with distinguished galantry ana CON
suicuous ability in all engagements preceding
the final surrender Of Santiago. having WIN
sunarburnan effort superintended the formation
and continuance Of the adVanC OF TINS as
mounted cavalry brigade upon the StrohsI! IN
trenched position Of the enemy at La Quaslna:
according 10 the prearranged plan OF Genera!
Young This first battle, which SET the pace "'
those TO follow. was fought and won by Cen
eral Youngs brigade or dlsiIouh'e9 go
precisely as II was planned. and was decisive IN
that II gave US the highway 10 santiago ana
protection for the base q supplies
SEVERELY WOUNDED AT SAN JUAN
AT san Juan Hill Captain Mills was wounded
being shot through the head. the Dali entering
the left cheekhone and making its exit at the
outer angle Of the right eye, wound thoush'
10 be fatal at the time. but from which 1t is
now believed he will recover with no greater
resulting injury than the loss Of an eye
Captain Mills is forty-four years old. a native
% New-York and after nineteen years service
in the grade Of lieutenant is now only In sight
OF his promotion 10 a captaincy in the Regular
Cavalry: therefore, In his appointment az super
tntenden: OF the United States Military Acad-
envy with rank OF colonel. may DE- seen III.
Presidents recognition Of the younger element
OF the Regular Army and Its distinguished sa'-
lsntry In battle. -, ,,n,
,arv Academy carries with II the rank and
emolurnents Of a colonel IN the Army. Captain
Mills was graduated from the United states
Military Academy in 1919. and was selected I'm,
rnediatelv after graduation from class of
sixtv-seven members. because ot his solalery
hearing and especial fitness. as military Nlsruc
,o- - The Incoming class during the months of
Julv and August mark of distinction hIghE
priced by all graduates, and an cary prece,e er
o. selection Afterward followed nineteen go -
o. distinguished service on 'iie ''''''N 49, "
this war with Spain. 49,
naiqr against the Sioux Indians IN January ana
Fefruarv 1891 and was adjutant Of his regi-
NJ, from 1890 20 1894 He IL the author 81
"Camuaigns In 1862 In Virginia, work pup
ushed and studied at the United states CayaIry
So T,fantrv School Fort Leavenworth, Kan,
A. which institution Captain Mills was In charge
OF the department OF tactics and strategy WIG"
hostM!ties with Spain began
FORMER sUPERINTENDENTs
Colonel Mills has had distinguished predeces-
sors at the Academy. From us foundauoh 'ha'
,rs+i,utior was in charge OF the Chief Of Engi-
neers until 1866. when it was turned over 70 'he
War De. artment and the Secretary OF VAR was
sr,bors1ed ~ assign an officer 70 duty as us
superintendent BY act OF June IL io'o, lle
local rank Of colonel was conferred on cne per
intendent There nave Oeeh t"o4'' -
inteudents, as follo">'
WILLIAMS. JONATHAN. major engineers lSoz 10
WILLIAMS JONATHAN. Northumberland ensi-
SWIFT JOSEPH G. colonel engineers, 1872 TO 1917.
THAYER. sYLvA&Us. major engineers 1917 10
DE Rr-ssY. RENE T.. major engineers. 1898 TO lsSS.
DELAFIELD. RICHARD mayor engineers 1909 -
40 -
BREwERTON. HENRY. captain engineers bio %
lAZ -
LEE. ROBERT E. colonel engineers 1882 to 1850.
BARNARD. JOHN c.. major engineers 800 to l'o'
DELAFIELD. RICHARD. major engineers 1870 10
l6i. 80.
BOWMAN FELIX Il major engineers. 1851 20 lo''
TOWER. JEALOUS b. major engineers. origadieI-
general volunteers. 1854 70 ls4
Cr-IJr-N GEORGE ". neutenant-coloneI engi-
neers gaiier-g general volunteers 's4 70 lSoh
PITCHER. THOMAS c. colonel 4ith Infantry 1865
70 ls7l.
RUGER. THOMAS H.. colonel 18Th infantry hi 10