The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-06-01
BUTLER SWEARS ALLEGIANCE.
IS TO BE ORDERED TO CAMP AI4GEa
FOR TEMPORARY DUTY.

Creation of a New Military Depart
ment to he Composed of the states
of North Carolina, south Carolina.
Georgia and Florida Among the
ProbabiIittes-Gen. Butler Mention
ed as Likely 10 BE Placed ia Com
mand.
Washington, May S1.-Maj. Gen. NJ. c.
Butler received his commission to-day, and
he is TO be ordered to temporary duty at
Camp Alger, to assist Gen. Graham in
organizing the forces there.
1t is the intention Of the Secretary of
War to create new military department,
composed of states along the South At
lantic coast, and place Gen. Butler in COM
mand. The new department will proba-
bly, consist of North Carolina, South Car
DINA, Georgia and Florida. The subject
is yet under advisement and the location
of department headquarters is still unde-
cided 1t is believed there will be a lively
competition between Charleston Savan-
nah and Atlanta for the privilege of furn-
ishing the site.
Gen. Butler will proceed to his home at
Edgefield, S. c., tomorrow, and return
here in a few days, and report at Camp
Alger. In the meantime the Secretary OF
War will consider the details connected
with the establishment of the new depart
ment of the South.
The incidents attending the taking of the
oath by Gen. Butler al the war depart
ment this afternoon were full of interest
Gen. Butler called at the war department
and was cordially greeted by Secretary
Alger The newly created major general
and the Secretary of War INDUCED in some
"reminiscences in conversation about the
late civil war, when they were leading OBJ
posing forces in the Virginia campaign
Gen. Alger recalled the fact that Gen.
Butler rode a white horse, which made
him a mark for many of the Michigan
rifemen. His horse was shot from I'M
der him, but he escaped unframed Ii
was the relating of this incident which in
duced Gen. Butler to remark that he viii
go into the present war on a less conspic-
uous horse.
While Gen. Butler and Secretary AIger
chatted pleasantly about the new duties of
the South Carolinian, Adjt. Gen Corbin
went to the White House and obtained the
signature of President Mckinley to Gen
Buffers commission. In the meantime
the departmental notary entered the Sec
Ietary s office and administered the iron
clad oath" to the ex-Confederate general
Gen. John M, Wilson, chief of Engineers,
witnessed the ceremony and he remarked
mat liz SOuiO llOI hStD UdCh the uOOQ OF
recolections of the bitter past,as he grasp
ed Gen. Buffers hand, and warmly con-
graduated him upon his appointment. 1t
was a touching incident to see two gallant
old soldiers almost moved to tears, so firm
Is their bond of friendship and patriotic de-
VOtiOn
When Gen. Corbin returned from the ex-
ecutive mansion, he brought the commits
sion and also the pen the President had
used in signing it. The pen was presented
TO Gen. Butler as A souvenir for his wife
Gen. Butler is overwhelmed with appli-
cations for staff assignments. These came
from South Carolina and Georgia, prin-
cpally, and they are from men who
served with the general in the Confeder-
ate army, or their sons. Applicants for
these positions are bound TO be disap-
pointed, however, as the general will have
practically no appointments at his COM
mand. His staff will have to be taken from
officers of the regular army.