New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-11-19
RUMORS OF BRIGADE UNION
GENERAL SMITH IGNORANT OF ANY
PLAN TO PUT HIM IN COMMAND.
TILLINGHAsTs FAVOR MADE BUTT OUT
RANK HIM-THE LATTER WILL PROB
ABLY NOT RESIGN.

The rumors on the subject Of the proposed CON
olidation OF the First and Fifth brigades which
were started when 1t became known that 'e"eia
McCoskry Butt had been ANONYMOUSLY tu'heu
down and that the Governor had refused 10 eh'ei
tain the charges preferred by General Butt against
General Roe we're revived yesterday, ana reports
we're circulated TO the effect that the consonea'loh
would certainly be effected and that General 1eolse
Moore Smith would be made the commanding o'
Ger OF the united brigades. -
A, the office OF the division commander nothing
had been heard on the subject by those IN charge
and no officer could be found who had any onic'a
knowledge Of the alleged proposition which' ae
cordng 10 the rumors had the punishment Oh
General Butt It's main object
Generel George Moore Smith who was seen. SAID
'If the consolidation OF the two origades IS con-
templated ! know nothing about II. nave hau
neither notice nor hint on the subject ana ooh
believe that the authorities have any such thing IN
view "
The First Brigade consists OF the 9Th. lzth anu
2ad regiments OF infantry and the 1st batter! Vi
artillery. The Fifth Brigade Is composed Oh 'he
2d Battery and the 7h Sth. 69th and list regiments
Of infantry when these brigades were forfheu our
o. the old First Brigade the division was mace III
kecping with the geographical position OF 'he
armorics OF the various organizations. The troops
on the East SIDE formed into one orlsaoe anu
those on the West Side into another mat poi"'
having been decided after much discussion. the
Second Brigade in Brooklyn the Third had us
tasdouart,rs M Albany and the Fourth at Bunaio'
and II was clear that in addition to the FIRST there
must he n Fifth Brigade. and IL was generhIV oe
le,ed that the brigade with the 7th Sth tSth ana
71st regiments would be allowed TO carry the senior
number But contrary to expectation. and prop
sbly through the efforts and influence OF {. Nhl-
new Tininghast Cd Adjutant General, the htte
brigade received the senior number, ana genera
McCoskry Butt. the personal friend OF Iihnsn"S',
Rad his commission dated one day ahead OF General
Smiths II was argued at that time that the TWO
commissions should have even date. and that the
rank OF the generals holding them should be de-
cided bv their previous records In that case Cen
ernI Smith who entered the service in April. 1851
would have outranked General Butt. who entered
the service in the organization with Genera
Tillinghast in 1850
The alleged injustice done 10 General smith AT
that time is well known in military circles ana IL
is on that account that some people believe that
the stor es about legislating General Butt OUT OF
Office true. Bat II seems that tmetr -, nil
foundation for the rumors, ana Manhattan WI"
Continue 10 have two brigades.
"r;e neral butt has been going about with chip
on his shoulder. said staff officer, ever since zee
Tammsny gained control of the city government on
we'll known that he thinks he has the party be-
hind him in National Guard matters 49,. GU
When the news came from Albany tnat lne GoN ,
ernor by the advice of the Adjutant General mao
dismissed the charges against General roe , any
at the same time the 1ep1's said tla that he had no
such intention and would remain IN the Husru'
But the criticism from all 1uarieTbs manv ocers
cause him to reconsider his first intention anu
Law down his command. , r... soid
Yesterday: You may say that General Butt WI, VII.
NOT resign lie considers the matter pe'weei mn mn.
and General Roe dead ana Su1e Ssn a1 he has only
another year TO complete twenty years Vi sei'iO''