The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1900-06-12

Lieut.. Hugh A. Drum was born at
rort brady, Mich. on September ~,
1913, from which statement IL Is easy
70 ngure out that the young officer viii
not De Il until September 10 next.
Capt. John Drum, the father of Lieut..
Hugh. was killed while leading his
company in Cuba, July /. 1898. Previ-
GUS TO his death, Capt. Drum had been
IN the service OF the United States gov
ernment for upward OF thirty years; he
had been volunteer captain through
out the war of the rebellion, and from
mat time until the day OF his death
was continuously In the service of his
country. In one capacity or another.
PREVIOUS 10 our war with Spain, Capt.
Drum had been detailed by the gov
ernment as military instructor at 81.
Francis Xavier College. New York city:
Al the time Capt. Drum was instrucc
or in ST. Francis Xavier. his son. Hugh.
was student there and served four
years under the teachings OF his father.
Lieut.. Hugh was born and almost
brought up within the sound OF the bu-
gle CALL says the Washington Post.Hc
took 10 the military life as naturally
and easily as the proverbial duck is
said 10 take 20 water. In college. Hugh
was as bright as a new double eagle.
and at the end OF his last year in the
college battalion, by competitive exam
ination, he was one OF three that re-
ttiNtu a teTtlfltdtc IIoin tlt war ut-
partment for proficiency in military
matters.
Then came the war with Spain and
both father and son resigned from the
college and offered their services TO the
country. Both were accepted. young
Hugh going into the real school OF life
as a foot soldier as he had formerly
done in college. His patriotism and
devotion had attracted no attention. He
was lost in the rank and file.
Then came brave Capt. Drun'e
death. IL seems that President McKin-
ley has the gracious habit OF writing a
letter OF coincidence 10 the widows OF
Grand Army men. Conforming tS this
custom. he wrote to Mrs. Drum, at the
same time asking her IL she had son
who was eligible for appointment i'm the
regular army. This correspondence
brought about the appointment of
Hugh az lieutenant OF the Twelfth In
fantry. then serving in the Philippines.
Here was Lieut.. Drums opportunity;
here a chance to demonstrate the value
of his fathers rigid discipline and care
ful training. That he made the most OF
this opportunity is manifested by the
fact that In the short time he had heen
i'm the Philippines he has been promot-
ed, his name being in the last list that
President Mckinley sent to the Senate
for promotions, and Hugh is now first
lieutenant of the Twelfth Infantry. In
one respect Lieut.. Drum has been ex-
ceedinely fortunate; and that is hts
health has been uniformly good and in
his regiment, which is now stationed at
Luzon, he has been acting and rank
ing az captain for the past three
months; this. from the fact that about
so per cent. OF the officers of his regi-
ment are untitled for duty on account
OF sickness.
Ii is not customary 10 confer COM
missions in the regular army on boys
under 81. The exception In this regard
in Lieut.. Drums favor was made as
tribute of the respect the head of the
army felt for the long and faithful SER
vices OF Can't. John Drum. SO now
Lieut.. Hugh is the youngest officer in
the regular army of the United States,
ranking over $50 second heutenants
and vast number of first lieutenants.
Washington Post.