Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-03-02
He Is DISSATISFIED
COLONEL PRATT'S GRIEVANCE
AGAINST ADMINISTRATION.
Believes He Was Disseminated
Against in Not Being Made
Brigadier General.

The reasons for the resignation Of Col. i.
II. Pratt, U. S. A, of his duties as superin.
tendent of the Carlisle Indian School are
Indicated by his correspondence with the
War Department prior to his retirement
January 10. Gen. Corbin wrote to Col.
Pratt congratulating him on his approach
ing promotion, saying that the question Of
his immediate retirement was under con-
sideration, and asking whether he would
not prefer to be retired upon his own ap-
plfcation. Col Pratt ia reply sent a tele-
gram, in which he said:
''Twenty-eight years on Indian duty and
away from strictly military routine indi-
Gates more value to government in present
duty. 1 shall be entitled to the advanced
grade on retirement. Allow me to suggest
that retired now as q brigadier general and
detailed here under the provisions Of the
act Of November B, 1893, shall be oontsnt
to remain here without regard to age es
long as my services are deemed efiiciept.
and my extra pay In Indian bill can be
dropped This is my application"
Must Retire as Colonel.
Gen. Corbin, in q letter in reply dated
January II, stated that as tho records fail
ed to show wherein Col. Pratt had exsr-
cised command Of higher grade than that
Of captain. the Secretary reluctantly
AOoSAcc tAC COaiSiuSlOa tIldt tue D08I l0LoI-
ests Of the service require his retirement
Immediately upon his promotion to The
ooioneicy, in order thAt a regiment may not
be deprived of an experienced officer to
command 1t. January IS Col Pratt replied
that he had at Carlisle larger command
than that Of q colonel. that his duties were
OF military character and substantially
the same as those OF a colonel, and that,
If ordered to the command OF q regiment.
while he might at first fall short IN some Of
the minor things Of military service, It
would only be temporary. He added: "You
will remember that twice early in our trou.
and preference to take part. either by en-
listing Indians or by Joining my own regi-
ment"
In reply January 20. Gen. Corbin said,
application to join regiment when con-
firmed colonel? This will take you to the
18th under orders for duty In the division
of the Philippines. 1t was assumed you
desired to remain the work on which
you have so long been engaged"
Will Not Apply for a Change.
On the same day Col. Pratt telegraphed:
Your message today. Having suggested
and built up this school. so long as con-
ditions are endurable 1 cannot consistently
seek relief by asking other duty" In .
personal letter of the same date Gen. Cor
bin said: You arc quite in error IL you
think that / entertain anything but the
kindliest of feelings toward you. l had i'm
structions to make order for your retire
ment on reaching siXty-two, but asked for
your retention until you were made colonel.
This was granted. The high rank of colonel
is certainly recognition that should appeal
to ALL Hennisee retired with that rank
after most continuous service. but had
never exercised the command Of a colonelcy,
ETC., etc. The thought that all civil war
men should be retired as brigadier generals
is not the correct one. but with one grade
higher. l wish you well
Colonel Pratt replied: Have your per-
sonal letter OF yesterday. Ny position a.
colonel is my property by right OF service.
and 1 am ready for all responsibilities.
According to his friends Colonel Pratt /
thinks that discrimination has been shown
against him, and cites the cases OF Generals
Davis. Grant and Carter. who were made
brigadfer generals. though they had never
exercised command above that OF captain,
and also the case OF General Bell who was
promoted from first lieutenant to his pres
emit rank Other Officers. he says were pro-
NOTED more than one grade TO be retired /;
as brigadier genAral. then why should not
he be?