The times., 1899-12-18

before starting for the Asiatic station, he
requested of the officials at the Navy De-
paTtment that they should assign him a flag
lieutenant punctilious in matters Of dress
and social decorum.
Lieutenant Brumby was selected at once
and offered the position. He promptly de
clined, stating rather curtly that he did
not want sea service until his land term
had been concluded, and that he preferred
the European to the Asiatic station.
When this decision had been made
known at the Army and Navy Club
Brumby was taken to task by some of his
friends. and told that he had made the
mistake CT his life Commodore Dewey
was lauded as the best Of commanders, and
Brumby was told that the position would
be just in his line. Upon reflection he
changed his mind, sought out Commodore
Dewey, withdrew his refusal Of the offer
made, and was appointed. That Dewey's
choice was correct the events at Manila
and elsewhere have abundautly proved.
Rear Admiral NIeIviIe's Tribute
Rear Admiral George ". Melville, En-
gineer in Chief of the Navy, was surprised
when informed at his residence last even
ing by reporter for The Times of the
death of Lieutenant Brumby
,
well" he said. He stuck it out so well
that it looked as if he would certainly
pull through il. It's TOO bad. / knew him
nuite well. l never sailed with him but
knew him as an officer, and 1 cant say
anything better of him than that he was
one of the best executive officers in the
Navy. Brumby was a thorough gentleman.
He knew how TO command. He could over
look an error, but he knew when to use
Il ia ssr,1f 1f,,-
( out being a martinez and that's what
mean by saying that he was a fine eXecu-
. tive officer. No, sir: / cant say anything
kinder Of Brumby than that, and naval
/ officer and gentleman. he would not
want anything more said.
Lieut. Thomas NJ Brumby was a native
of Georgia and by birthright eminent in
the service Of his country. He was born
November 20, 1855, at Marietta. Ga, pass
+ ing the years of his childhood about the
Georgia Military Institute, Of which his
father was principal. After the Civil War
young Brumby's education was taken in
nand at his home and in the schools of
Atlanta, until he was ready for entrance
at the Naval Academy, September %, 1873
/ He graduated June 15 1879, and was as
signed to service on the warship Tennessee.
Brumby was promoted to the rank of en-
red to the receiving ship Franklin in 1881
and again to the jamestown in 1882.
( He served on the Coast Survey steamer
Sidney from 1882 to 1855, and on the Van
dalia from 1886 to 1889. April p. 1887, Mr..
Brumby was promoted to lieutenant, jun
ior grade. He was ordered to the receiving
ship Vermont in December, 1890, and seTy-
ed on her until April. 1891. From that time
until January, 1898. Lieutenant Brumby
iii
raised 10 senior grade lieutenant August "a
1892. and in January. 1898 was assigned to
serysse on the cruiser New York, then on
the South Atlantic station. Lieutenant
Brumby was granted leave of absence in
July, 1896 ana In October of that year was
ordered to the receiving ship Vermont In
September, 1897. Lieutenant Brumby was
assigned to the Naval Observatory and later
to the War College He received his orders
10 join Commodore Dewey on the Olympia
in January, 1895, and went aboard as fac
lieutenant.
Lieutenant rumby was the son of a
soldier who served with distinction in the
Seminole war and in the Confederate
army.
Col. A. V. Brumby was a graduate oil
West Point and commanded the Four
teenth Georgia Infantry during the Civil
War. On his famous march from Atlanta
10 the sea GtHefdI sherman OfueFeu tnt
buildings of the military institute al
Marietta to be burned bluntly remarkng
that the school was "an Internal incu-
bator Of rebel officers" In this manner
the eyes of young Brumby looked upor
the trail OF ruin wrought by the Northern
soldiers as they swept his native towI
and county with torch and sword. Natu-
rally he took to warlike pursuits anC
quite naturally rose to eminence in hi:
chosen profession.
The Battle of Manila.
Lieutenant Brumby's part in the en-
trance Of Deweys squadron into Manili
Bay and the battle which followed art
familiar to all readers. The signals from
the flagship, which guided the fee
through the network of explosives at the
entrance of the bay, past the frowninl
guns Of Cavite to the inner waters were
displayed by the navigating officer and hi