The times., 1901-05-19
VETERANS OF THE ARMY.
Omcers Who Enlisted Before the
Civil War Commenced.
Erom the Philadelphia Public Ledgcr.)

(ETom the Philadelphia Public Ledger
OF the officers of the United States Ar
my borne on the active list today, only
seven were in the service when the civil
war broke out, and these have been con-
| tinuously in the army since their original
entrance. anese sven veterans are given
III the order of their original entrance into
the service, ami are as follows:
Colonel Richard Comba, of the Fifth
Infantry, entered the army as an enlist
ed man, his initial service having Deen
with the Seventh infantry, and beginning
January 20, 1855. He was made second
/ lieutenant in that regiment after eight
years of service in the ranks mis- com
mission bearing date of February 49, 1868
He became captain March IA, 1860, and,
reaching a majority May 10 1889, was as
signed to the Ninth Regiment. lie be-
came colonel Of the Fifth June 80, 1898
Col-~Edward NJ. Hayes. of the cavalry,
enlisted in the Second Cavalry August ..
1885, and served with that regiment as
bugler and musician until February %,
1850, when he was commissioned as sec
ond lieutenant in the Fifth Cavalry, ana
served in that regiment as lieutenant and
captain until he gained his majority, go
ing then to the Seventh Cavalry. He is
now colonel of the Twelfth Cavalry.
Col. John w. Clous, of the Judge Advo-
Gates S Department, enlisted as a member
of the band of the Ninth Infantry Febru-
airy ,, 1851. He was promoted to the grade
of second lieutenant in the Sixth Infantry
November 70, 1862, for bravery on the neld
upon the recommendation of his company
served with the infantry until November,
1856, being at that time captain in the
Twenty-fourth Regiment. when he was
appointed major and judge advocate.
Col Thomas McGregOr. of the Ninth
Cavalry, enlisted in the First Dragons
April s, 1858. He served with that regl-
meut as an enlisted man until July IL,
1862, when ne was made second lieutenant
in the same regiment, the designation OF
which had been changed TO the First Cav
airy.
Cavalry, enlisted in the Sixth Cavalry
November 10, 1855, and was promoted to
be second lieutenant of that regiment No
vember /. 1861. He continued to serve With
gained the grade OF major, was assigned
to the Seventh Regiment, and ten years
later became lieutenant colonel
Col Francis l.. Guenther, Of the First
Artillery Corps, and its senior officer,
graduated from the Military Academy
July l, 1853, after five years service as
cadet, the term at that time being five
years. He was assigned to the artillery
branch upon graduation, with which he
has had continuous service.
Col. Writ Davis. of the Third Cavalry,
became an enlisted man in the Fourth
Cavalry May y. 1850 was promoted to be
second lieutenant April D. 1863. and as
signed TO the same regiment, with which
he served until April, 1890, when he be-
came ma jOr of the Fifth, and in July,
1898, lieutenant colonel of the Eighth Reg
iment
vi the seven OUlcefS named COlOnel
Hayes is the youngest. He VIII not reach
the retiring age until December 3, 1906.
Three of them viii go out for age this
year. namely, Colonel Clous. June 9; Col
onel McGregor, June 26, and Colonel Com
ba, July il. Colonel Guenther will reach
the age of siXty-four February ,, 1902;
Colonel Whitside January 8. 1902, and Col
onel Davis May ., 1898.
The army active list contains the names
of a number of officers who entered the
army during the year 1861, and while the
civil war was in progress, several OF
whom came from the Military Academy,
but the greater number were taken from
civil life or from the volunteer army after
the war was over. The seven officers
named above. however, are the only men
Fort Sumter was fired upon and all eX-
cept one of them entered the army as en-
listed men.
Col. Henry B. Freeman, Of the infant
ry. who was recently retired with the
grade of brigadier general. also entered
the army prior to the rebellion as an en-
listed man his service beginning July l6
1855 He was made second lieutenant in
the Eighteenth Infantry. October 80, 1867;
became colonel of the Twenty-fourth in
October. 1898. and was retired as gener-
al officer a few weeks ago.
Gen. Theodore Schwan. who was retired
a few weeks ago at his own request,
should be included in the list of veterans
the rebellion, and who entered the army
as an enlisted man. General Schwan en-
listed in the Tenth Infantry June y. 1881,
and served in the ranks seven years,
when ne was promoted to the grade of
second lieutenant his appointment having
been made October 81, 1864 He served
with the line until December 81, 1886, when
he was made major and Assistant Adju-
tant General. He became colonel May lS,
1898. and brigadier general under the Re
uiZaff0u act.