Virginia citizen. (Irvington, Va.) 1891-1921, 1900-01-26
The SOLDIERS DUTY.

I'm per- lcBSc OI SaDI- SGCSnan, I,
just Relieved at Providence,
*. i.
The following extract from the
Providence, Or. ~ Journal will be
of interest to the many readers of the
VIRGINIA CITIZEN, as Capt. Gresham
is a native of Lancaster county and
received the appointment to West
Point from this Congressional Dis
trict. lie is the Oldest West Pointer
now in the army from this District;
Capt. Richard Croxton and Capt.
Willard ID. Newbill following in the
order named.
Occasionally regular army officer
comes to this city and stays on re-
cruiting duty for detail of two
years, or the officers on "college"
duty are met But aside from this
the civilian seldom comes in contact
with the typical West Pointers and
even then learns but little how his
years of service are passed.
Capt. j. G. Gresham, 9TH Cavalry,
U. s. A, has just received orders
relieving him from recruiting duty
in this city. He has been here nearly
a year. For over a score of years he
has been in the regular establishment,
having entered the Military Academy
at West Point in ~, joining the 18th
Cavalry as I'd Lieutenant in '76,
becoming 1st Lieutenant in '76 and
attaining his commission as Captain
in April, 1892.
He is an honor to his profession in
more ways than one. Several times
his name has appeared in the official
army register with Communications
for bravery. In 1877 he was COM
mended for gallantry in action with
the Nez Pirces Indians. This was in
the engagement on Sept. 13 at Canon
Greek, Montana. Again he was COM
mended for gallantry in action with
the Sioux Indians at White Clay
Greek in the Pine Ridge troubles in
1890. Then Congress took note of
his services and for the distinguished
gallantry shown in voluntarily lead
ing troops into ravine to dislodge
Indians in the action at Wounded
Knee, he was presented gold medal.
This action took place Dec. 30, 1890
Fighting is considered the object
Of all soldiers. Yet, even by training
of years and high reputation, the
officer is not sure of part in a war.
Take the case of the 7th Regiment OF
Cavalry, Capt. Gresham's own com.
mand. 1t was Clusters old regiment
noted for being one of the great fight
ing regiments all through the Indian
wars, from its birth in 1866 up tC
1898; yet it took no part in the Span.
ish War.
When the Spanish War broke out
Capt. Gresham was sent on specia
duty as mastering officer of NORTH
Carolina. He stayed there long
enough to muster in the volunteel
quota of that State, about 2,20(
men. Then orders sent him to For
Grant, Ariz. and he was placed il
command of Troops @, l. aud M, I'll
Cavalry.
AT that time the regiment wa
scattered all over the West. Thes,
two troops had been "skeletonized'
reduced to three officers and seyera
sergeants. These three troops, th
non-commissioned staff and banC
were practically made anew. IL
practically had to do the ordinar
work of IL officers. This shows wha
hard and successful work many O
the officers of the regular army &C
complished on the breaking out O
the war.
Then the regiment was assemble,
from its stations from the Mexical
boundary line to Utah, and brough
to Huntsville, Ala. There thes
veteran Indian fighters lay in cam
for a long time, finally getting t
Savannah, but not being able to tax
part in the stirring events in Cubs
Finally it went to Cuba for garriso
duty.
AS a result of overwork and tn
camp life at Huntsville CAPITAL
Gresham went to the hospital wit
malaria. When he came out on sic
leave, instead of remaining inactiv,
even then he requested to be assigne
to some post and was sent to Prov
dence, where he has accomplished s
much.
AS soon as Capt. Gresham PARTIAL
reaained his health he tried in ever
way possible to get a share in tn
lSpanish and then in the Philippir