The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-10-29
HOW BRUMBY JOINED DEWEY.
At First Declined the Appointment
as Flag Lieutenant.
From The New York sun.

men Auullldl Dewey, tlen COfnmO-
dore was assigned to the command Of
the As.auc squadron, one Of the first ques.
tons that presented itself TO him was the
selection of his flag officer. Because Of
the close personal as well as official rela,
tionship that exists between a feet COM
mander and his flag lieutenant, complete
harmony between them is essential. This
wns particularly important matter to
Commodore Dewey, as friend in that
branch OF the navy department which as
signs officers TO various ships and stations
well knew. This friend, being familiar
with the personal characteristics of the
commodore, who is precise in the smallest
details of dress ana department and an
authority in the matter of taste, decided
that his flag officer should be the same
manner of man. Therefore, among the
names of lieutenants suggested for the bill
LEI was that of Thomas NJ. Brumby. who
was at the time stationed in Washington,
and like the Commodore, had reputation
for punctiliousness.
When the Oiympia's cruise was planned
a war with Spain was considered to be a
remote possibility. The outlook prom sea
nothing outside of the ordinary round Of
visits 10 the ports of China, Japan and
other Eastern countries where the heaviest
AHhVa Tldl were expected 10 faI upon the
fiagshtps officers would be principally Of
a social nature. The Commodore desired
the services OF gentleman, as flag lieu
tenant, capable of ass sting him in such
functions as entertaining various dgni-
iaries. 1t was not expected that the name
OF ADMIRAL Montojo would appear as call
ing Tor a peculiar kind of entertainment.
Al the Army and Navy Club in Wash
iLgion the Commodore met Lieut. Brum-
puy and suggested to him that II agree
able he apply for assignment as his flag
officer The Lieutenant hestated. mem
toned The fact that he had several months
shore duty to his credit and had arranged
TO remain in Washington, and that he
hoped for assignment to the European sta
ton on his next tour Of sea duty. though
he appreciated the honor rendered to him
by the Commodore
The Commodore, after hearing Mr.
Brumbys statement, referred again to his
list of available officers, and selected an
other name. Soon afterward a friend Of
Lieut. Brumhy met than officer. and was
Informed of the Commodore's offer.
why, you should have accepted that
billet by AL means. at any seeming sacri-
fee" the friend advised. you and the
Commodore would hit It off admirably,
you are both so darned particular. and he
Is a prince of good fellows. II YOU want to
have a fine cruise, reconsider and ask for
the assignment" Then the speaker de
scrhed with enthusiasm a trip he had
made to the orient. TT beats Europe all
hollow" was his opinion.
The following day Lieut.. Brumby called
upon the Commodore and requested 10 be
allowed to withdraw his recent doclnation.
The Commodore informed him that he had
already rendered the assignment 80 anolh-
err officer. In the course of a few days,
however. Mr.. Brumby received a nole from
the Commodore, informing him that the
other officer TO whom the post had been
offered, had declined IT, having made other
plans and renewing he former offer to
himself. This time Brumby accepted
promptly, and il Is probable that The Of
fcer who so narrowly missed fame is Sun
regretting those other pans"
Mr.. Brumby will soon 80 to his home in
Georgia, where he win receive a sword
~ honor, the gift Of his native state. But
The greatest pleasure awaiting him there
is that of seeing his mother, who is now
more than so years of age. She IS cou-
san of ex-Nice President Adlai Z, Ste
venson. and represents the type of gen
Uewoman Of the old school, the days when
the daughters of Southern families were
not considered educated until they had
spent several years at a European school
Mrs. Brumby was presented to Queen Vic
toria only Il few months after the Queen
coronation, when both were mere slips Of
girls. II is probable that Mrs Brumby s
presentation occurred at an earlier date
than that of any other American woman
now living.
The flag lieutenants father, the late
Col. A. V. Brumby of Georgia, graduated
from the West Point in 1893, and served
rs an officer Of The F.rst United States
Artillery through the Seminole war I'm
Florida. Soon after The Indian troubles
were settled ia Florida he resigned and
became a member of the faculty of the