Staunton spectator and vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1896-1916, 1900-08-17
A BRILLIANT MILITARY CAREER.
Being an Account of the Army Life and
Death of Capt. VIM. C. Geiger.

| Uedtn OF Chpt. VIII y. utiHtTs
Lieut.. Harry N. Cootes. i'll a recent
letter from Santa Maria, LuZOn. to hls
friend here, Mr. W. w. Timberlake.
Igives the following Interesting account
of the military career and death OF
lCapt. VIM G. Geiger, of this county.
Though short, the military career OF
the young nero was filed with stirring
incident, he having participated in 11U
engagements and SkirmiShes. His re-
mains were forwarded on the 10th of
July and it is supposed will reach here
about the Goth INST, where they Will
| be laid to rest in ThOrnrOse cemetery,
in the family lot, with military honors.
| Capt. William Churchman Geiger S
army career dates from 1896 when he
entered at Richmond, and was assign
ed to duty with the Battalion OF En-
| gineers then located at the west FONT
Military Academy, he Was on duty
| with his company there TOT OF
months when he was detailed as III
structOr Of the school for children OF
enlisted men. He was acting In this
capacity when the Spanish American
war broke out, when he reJOlned MS
company and WAS sent to Tampa: Fla.
Previous to this he had taken his pre-
lininary examinations for the regular
army at FIT. Levenworth, Kan, and
had but one more examination 10 pass
before he would receive commission
as End lieutenant. When the troops
sailed for Cuba he was detailed ana
with squad of men was assigned to
duty with the bridge building detach-
ment and on tune %, '9S, through the
efforts of Hon. Jacob Yost be was COM
missiOned 2ud lieutenant in 24th U.
s. Inf. then at Daiquiri, Cuba. He
joined bis regiment, and With squad
of men from his company participated
in tie charge of San Juan hill, also
was at Ell Caney, and after the surren-
der at Santiago he returned to the
States with his command and was sick
ct Montauk Point for several weeks.
His next duty was with the gath Inf.
at Fort Russell, Wyoming. After
spending several months there desire
for active service caused him to apply
for transfer to the 14th Inf. which
was in the Philippines, this was grant
ed, and he sailed shortly afterwards
On the Morgan City, now wreck Oh
the japanese coast. When he arrived
the insurrectiopists were making livery
unhealthy for our troops, and he par
ticipated in numerous engagements
near Malate, Cubaeson, Malalos and
Booaur Bridge. In June, 1893, be was
given command OF the 14th Inf. scouts
and made such an excellent record that
he was noticed by Gen. Lawton who
gave him command of a company of
scouts, his record with these men in
Lawton's southern expedition of June,
1899, was brilliant one, and be was
mentioned officially for bravery at
Zapate River, Das Marinas and Pau
our. After this command be was
placed in charge of the Paco district,
doing police and civil work. On Jan.
l, 1900, he was ordered to report to
Gen. Schwan for duty and was again
placed in command of Macabe scouts.
On this expedition his company bore
the severest of the fighting at Muntin
Lupa. and Gen. Schwan in his report
mentioned him for promotion for gal
Iantry and bravery while under aheavy
fire from Pillars command. On April
Srd he was promoted to be a captain in |
the Philippine cavalry squadron Or
gained by Maj. Batson. The officers in |
this regiment were selected from among |
the officers who had rendered excellent |
service. In June when another eXpe |
dltion was made on the south line the |
heat was intense, and on the return |
Capt Geiger was taken sick, but |
thought it only slight attack. Later |
on it developed into acute dysentery |
80 fatal here, and despite the efforts OF
the surgeons he died at the LIST Reserve
Hospital on July End. During his SER
vice in Luzon Capt. Geiger had made
a host of friends both civil and militia
ry. who were shocked and deeply |
grieved when bis death was announc-
ed and expressions of sympathy were
heard on all sides, from officers high |
in rank to the men under him who are
nconsOlahle-they almost worshipped |
their commanding officer who had |
been with them and furnished inspira-
ton during many engagements. Col. |
Sturgis, asst. adjt. gen. of Gen. Nc
Arthur's staff, said: capt. Geiger |
has made a reputation second only to
Maj. Batson himself, and was consid-
cred one of the most promising officers |
on duty here" In his death Staunton |
loses son of whom she may we'll feel
proud, and the StauntOn men now
serving here are much depressed.
Capt. Geiger's body will leave here
July 18th On the U. 8. transport Sher-
man and will probably reach Staunton
about August goth.