The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-09-10
WANTS MAJORSHIP
Captain Gresham Is
Tired Of Recruiting
Service.
ANXIOUS TO SEE FIGHTING.
His Application for a
Colonelcy Was in
a-,a Too Late. +
ANXIOUS TO SEE FIGHTING.

Worcester is destined to play an i'm
portant part in the campaign in the
Philippine Islands this fall. Already two
sons of this city are to go there as com
missioned officers, while many will fight
side by side in the ranks.
While Worcester has no special claim
on Capt. John C. Gresham, who has had
charge of the recruiting station in this
and other cities hereabouts for the past
few months, yet great interest is felt
in him in this city. When it will be
learned that he has made application
for a majorship in the volunteer army
his friends in this city will wish him
well and watch his career in the far off
western isles with great interest.
1t is not generally known, but Capt.
Gresham, as soon as he learned that the
ten new regiments were to be formed,
made application for the command of
one of them. His application was in too
late, however, to receive favorable ac-
ton and now he has applied for a ma
iorship in the volunteer service. He is
not particular to what regiment he is
assigned and only desires to get to the
front. He thinks that the volunteer
regiments will see the brunt of the
fighting and he is exceedingly anxious
to get into the thick of it.
Capt. Gresham has been on recruiting
service but a short time, but he has
grown tired of the humdrum life and
wishes 10 get once more into the active
campaigning. He has been well posted
on the way the fighting has been con-
Quoted in the Philippines and the old
indomitable spirit of the Indian fighter
has welled up within him and he longs
once more for the glories and hardships
of the fray.
Cant. Gresham has the honared dis
tinction, and one that is claimed by but
few men Of the regular army, of being
a medal of honor man. He won the
honor by bold dash in the battle OF
Wounded Knee creek.
II was in the Sioux war, when cap
tain Gresham. then a lieutenant, won
his enviable distinction. The battle had
nrogressed lust as the Indian fighting
always does.
The Indians had fortified themselves
in q deem rayine. from which it seemed
almost impossible to dislodge them.
From their point of vantage they pep
pered the small detachment of the reg
iIlar army, and it was only a question
~ fine when they would be wiped out.
n was case where only the quickest
and hrayest act would save the rem
nant of the army 1t was decided to
storm the Indians stronghold, and a
cali was made for volunteers. Lieut..
Gresham was quick 10 offer his services
and was placed in command of the
troops He led his brave men into the
ravine and routed the enemy with
great loss on both sides. 1t was in that
enoa cement that the valiant young Of
dcer received his initial wound he be-
inc shot across the bridge of the nose.
For his actions in that engagement
be was recommended for a medal of
honor by congress. Captain Gresham
has always worn his honors gracefully
and never refers to his fighting except
In a general way He has engaged in
al the Indian fighting of any conse-
nmenne for the past 20 years. He has
served under Gen Nelson A. Miles and
IL a stsunch admirer of him. He is of
tba oninion that his favorite general
viii be in command of the troops in the
philinpines when the campaign is
waged anew, and so Is eager to again
be in the harness.
Cant. Gresham graduated from West
point in 1876 and since that time has
heey continually in all the fighting that
this country participated in except the
racent campaign in Cuba. He is an old
Indian fighter and was anxious to re-