Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-08-22
CAPT. MILLS APPOINTMENT
Chosen Superintendent of the West Point
Academy.
Was Shot Through the Head in the
Charge on San Juan Hi1l-ThOuEht
to Be Fatally Wounded.

Cant Albert l., Mills assistant adjutant
general United States Volunteers ana nrSt
lieutenant United States Cavalry, was to-
day appointed superintendent of the united
States Military Academy at West Point.
Col. o. H. Ernst, corps of engineers, VINO
held that office at the outbreak OF the war
with Spain, has been appointed brlgadier
general of volunteers and is now serving
with Gen. Miles army in Porto Rico. Since
his detachment from the academy few
months ago Lieut.. Col. Helm, commandant
of cadets has been in nominal charge of
its affairs.
The appointment of superintendent of the
Military Academy carries with it the rank
and emoluments of a colonel in the army.
Capt. (now colonel Mills was graduated
from the United States Military Academy In
1879 and was selected Immediately after
graduation from a class Of siXty-seven
members, because of his soldierly bearing
and especial fitness, as military instructor
of the incoming class during the months OF
July and August, a mark of distinction
highly priced by all graduates, and an early
precedent OF selection since follows through
his nineteen years of distinguished service
on the frontier and in this war with Spain
by the various superior officers under whom
he has served.
Capt. Mills commanded scouts in the
campaign against the Sioux Indians Jam
uary and February, 1891; was adjutant of
his regiment from 1890 to 1894. He is the
author of Campaigns in 1862 in Virginia.,
a work published and studied at the United
States Cavalry and Infantry School, Fort
Leavenworth, Kan, al. which institution
Capt. Mills was IN charge of the depart
ment Of tactics and strategy when hostil-
tiles with Spain began.
He was commissioned captain and assist
ant adjutant general of volunteers May T.
1S9S and assigned as chief of staff to Gen.
S. B. NJ Young's brigade, composed of the
1st and 10th Regulars and 1st United
States Volunteer Cavalry (Roosevelts S
Rough Riders), .and participated with dis
tinguished gallantry and conspicuous abil-
ity in all engagements preceding the final
surrender of Santiago. having with super
human effort personally superintended the
formation and continuance OF the advance
of this dismounted cavalry brigade upon
the strongly intrenched position OF the
enemy at La Guasima according to the
prearranged plan of Gen. Young. This
first battle, which was to set the pace Of
those to follow. was fought and won by
Gen. Young's brigade of dismounted cav
airy, precisely it was planned, and was
decisive in that it gave us the highway to
Santiago and protection for the base of
supplies
Shot at San Juan Hill.
At San Juan hill Captain Mills was
wounded being shot through the head, the
bali entering the left cheek bone and MAX
ing it's exit at the outer angle of the right
eye, a wound thought to be fatal at the
time, but from which it is now believed he
viii recover with no greater resulting in
jury than the loss of an eye.
Captain Mills is forty-four years old
native of New York, and after nineteen
years service in the grade of lieutenant
is now only in sight of his promotion to
captaincy in the regular cavalry; there
fore in his appointment as superintendent
of the United States Military Academy,
with rank of colonel, may be seen the
Presidents recognition of the younger ele-
nient of the regular army and their distin-
guished gallantry in battle.
1t is noticed on examination of the army
reais, ar that of the four senior professors
of the Military Academy their rank at
date of appointment first lieutenant
and average length of service about nine
years. OF these, Colonies Niche and Bass
performed distinguished service from 1861
to 1865, as did Colonels Wood and Davis,
Colonel Feiberger being a classmate of
Captain, now Colonel, Mills.