New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-04-15
OFFICER FROM THE RANKS. |
LIEUTENANT REAMs WAS A PRIVATE
TWO YEARS AGO
HIS FELLOW ENGINEERS HONOR HIS PROMOTION
WITH MUCH PoMP AND CEREMONY.

HIS FELLOW ENGINEERS HONOR HIS PROMOTION
WITH MUCH PoMP AND CEREMONY.
There was an unusual military ceremony yes
terday afternoon at Fort Totten. Willets Point.
II marked the advancement from the ranks OF
James ID. Reams. Of Company d. Engineer Corps.
TO be commissioned officer. Major Knight. the
post comma ndant. took part In the ceremonies with
all the commissioned officers.
Reams enlisted In the Regular Army on February
IT, 1897 He born In Kentucky twenty-five
years ago. and entered the Army with good edu-
cation. He chose the engineers and obtained an
assignment to the battalion at Wiets Point He
was appointed a corporal nine months after en-
listment At the outbreak Of the Spanish war he
detailed with a squad to the defences around
Fort Monroe. Virginia. and there laid the mines and
performed other perilous duties In such man
ner as to win a letter OF approval from the officers
OF engineers.
When the Sd Regiment OF Volunteer Engineers
being organized he asked permission to trans
fer for service. 1t was granted. and he passed an
examination for second lieutenant. with per-
centage Of 9S3 The Board Of Examiners not only
passed him but gave n strong letter or recommend
alton to him. He failed TO obtain post IN the resi
ment however, as the vacancies had been filled by
the War Department His two years OF service IN
the ranks expired In February last. and he applied
for permission take examination for promo
ton to a commission. The engineer onicers IN
dorsed the request and II was favorably acted OH
The examination the same as the men from
West Point take, and Corporal Reams passed
with percentage OF sl.7.
Yesterday marked his transmission from the
ranks to a commission. As corporal Reams had
been popular and the members or Comnany II
asked permission to show their appreciation Oh
their fellow member and also that the other COM
panies be allowed to take part
At / o'clock the battalion paraded. with MAJOR
Knight in command and Lieutenant Boggs as adJu-
lin If l.
for Reams When the battalion had been drawn
up Major Knight turned the command over 10
Sergeant Major Royston. and In an ADDRESS 10 the
comma nd told the reason for the parade. ana an
nounced special privileges for all so far as they
could be spared for duty. Major knight theh
stepped back Corporal Brady OF Company d.
advanced 10 the front and centre, and corporal
Reams was directed TO do the same and when ne
had taken position Corporal Brady. AFTER salu'lhs
the officers turned and faced the battalion and MS
fellow corporal He then read resolutions aoopteo
by Company ID congratu lating Reams on MS pro-
motion and assuring HIM OF the honor IN winch
he was held by the men OF the company.
In a short speech Corporal Brady. on behalf or
the company, presented to Reams handsome
dress sword and pelt. Reams replied In short
speech thanking the company and the oat'ano''
This over Major Knight again took the centre
and made an address to the new omcer ne
charged him with the honor OF the Army ana re-
minded him that from then on his actions "ou'u
reflect on every man in the Army whetner 'he ao
ton was one to throw glory upon the Army OF the
contrary The scene most Impressive Al 'he
close OF the Majors address he handed the COM
mission as second lieutenant OF ihian'y ~
Reams At the same moment. the post pand began
MY Old Kentucky Home ,. r,o,,er.nt
The command was then dismissed. L ernr,and
hut il is said he will he sent 10 the phiippines
lie viii be allowed to take short vacauson oe ATT
being assigned. but has asked TOT i"'"e '
II possible. , ...x rorcommissioned
officers in the battalion are preparing TOT eNaH
nat