New Iberia enterprise and independent observer. (New Iberia, La.) 1902-1944, 1902-12-27
HONORS TO CAPT. JAMES A. MOSS.

We take pleasure in reproducing
the following from the Army and
Navy Journal. 1t shows in what
good company our young Louisian-
ian, Capt. Jas A. Moss circulates.
We commend the article to all the
friends of our young soldier, who
will no doubt read it with interest:
PRES ENTATIoN TO GENERAL MCKIBBIN.
One of the most interesting social
events occurring for some time in the
military circles of Washington, was the
luncheon given by Capt. Jas A. Moss,
adjutant oath Infantry, on Dec Sd, at
the Raleigh, in honor of Gen. Chambers
Mcklbbln, |. s. A., retired, late colonel
of the 2ith Infantry The walls of the
luncheon room were most artsticaly
decorated with flags and emblems palms
and ferns were banked at either end of
the room, and the long, white table was
strewn with yellow chrysanthemums and
dainty ferns The luncheon was the
charming means of gathering twenty one
Army officers to assist in the presentation
to General Mckibbin of a beautiful silver
tray, bearing the inscription:
'To Gen. Chambers McKibbin, U. s.
A, from the officers of his old regiment,
the 24th Infantry, to whom he was good
friend, a just colonel. Oct, 2, 1902"
Special pains had been taken to make
the presentation a complete surprise to
the general, coming, as it were, like a
thunderbot from a clear sky.
The presentation was made by General
Corbn, as personal friend of General
Mckibbin, and as an old officer of the
oath, General Corbin having been ap
pointed a major in the Adjutant General 8
Department from captain in the Oath In
fantry, which regiment he served eleven
years.
In his presentation speech the general
referred in glowing terms to the splendid
history of his old regiment on the frontier,
in Cuba, and in the Philippines, especially
in Cuba, where after having lost heavily
at the battle of San Juan, the regiment
was marched to the pestridden fever
camps of Siboney, where the men volun-
teered as nurses, grave diggers, etc. The
regiment went to Cuba with 800 able
bodied men and returned with 1872 follow
ing its flying colors /; "a magnificent
example of courage, fortitude and bravery
one of the grandest incidents ever
recorded in military historyH' said the
general He then recalled most feelingly
his services with Company G, oath In
fantry, whose morning report he had
signed continuously for ten years and
congratulated General McKibbin on his
having added one more name to the list
Of the nineteen general officers who had
served in tho Gath Infantry, including
William X. Shafter, Henry w. Lawton,
J. f. Kent J. C. Gilmore, J. w. Clous,
Zenas Il. Bliss, Emerson A. Liscum,
II. b. Freeman and the immortal Mac
Kenzie, who organized the regiment.
After referring in fattering terms to
General Mckibbin's record as man and
a soldier, General Corbin said: enc
kibbin, although good soldier should
never be taken by surprise, and you have
been one for forty years, l am now going
to surprise you" Reaching down by his
side, picking up and holding in the bright
electric light beautiful silver tray, the
general continued: II have been re-
quested by the officers Of our regiment to
present you with this, q token of the love
they bear you-God bless you, McKib-
binI' General McKibbln, completely
surprised and nonpulsed, responded with
much feeling, paying high tribute to the
officers and men of his old regiment.
Gen. A. s. Burt, under whom General
McKibbin had served as major in the |
25th Infantry, then paid an eloquent
tribute to Chambers McKibbin, my old
f,a nd do ~ of xxb,o oh
Corbin introduced Captain Moss, refer
ring to him as the youngest regimental
adjutant in the Army at the time Of his
appointment Mid cries Of "speech,
Speech the captain rose and said few
months ago he had read in some news
paper that officers returning from the
Philippines should not talk too much,
especially at luncheons-that he had but
recently returned from the Philippines
and the article in question had made
deep impression ON him. So, thanking
General Corbin for having thus introduced
him, he would sit down before he talked
''too much"
The beautiful private dining room of
the Raleigh seldom, il ever, looked more
attractive the service and the menu
were excellent and nearly all present
were notable, representative officers,
while the surprise feature Of the luncheon
gave peculiar interest to the occasion.
Indeed, the whole affair was a most
and fitting climax to the retire
ment of an officer, who, for over forty
years, had served his country well and
faithful Besides General McKibbin,
the guest of honor, General Corbin, who
made the presentation, and Capt. Moss,
who gave the luncheon, the following
also were present: Gems. S. B. M.
Young, and A. 8. Burt; General Fitzhugh,
Of Pittsburg, Pa; Coils. l.. A. Matile, W.
P. Hall, H. P. Mccain, W. A. Simpson
and G. s. Anderson Majors f. W. Sib
ley, F. S. Hodgson, H. A. Greene, James
Parker, +. A. Edwards and A. r. Paxton;
Japts. w. p. Jackson, J. w. Joyce and G.
;. Williams, and Lieut.. Stanley Rowland.