New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-12-21
WHY WOOD WASPROMOTED
ROOT DETAILS RECORD.
High Praise for Indian Campaigns
-WOrk in Cuba.
IrEoM THr TRIBUNE nrRrAr. !


Washington. Dec. 20.-In the course of the
public discussion OF the propriety of making
Leonard Wood a major general the question
has frequently arisen as to what services Cen
eral Wood has performed which entitIe him 20
this preferment AS the same question has
arisen in the Senate, Secretary Root has ad-
dressed letter 10 Senator Proctor, acting chair
man Of the Committee on Military Affairs
which explains the administrations view 1t is
follows:
War Department. washington Nov IS. 1909.
Ny Dear Senator: In compliance with your re-
quest transmit resume Of the military record
chief considerations which have led TO his n Inlna-
Senate upon appointments by President Mckinley.
OF volunteers twice as major genera of Volunteers
ana once as bI1Gadier general OF the regular army
most OF The facts IN this record. II covers period
OF o. seventeen years service and naturally divides
atSelf INTO four distinct parts.
First-Iijs service as line officer in command Of
medical staff during the Indian wars Upon this
service MS superior officers have made the follow
4 Generai Mies
naBs ss fo2 9e&r serves R the e5d under ny com
paign against the Apache Indians Under Geronimo
fearless ocse e IN mos fSe & lnIegent ana
fulhl the duties OF field officer
ty TsfR ih6opgR ' @ sEPGsqre & ana 2sPs the iafa0
Geronimo) Captain Wood volunteered 10 command
u IN addition to his duties surgeon. In this duty
courage, endurance and example made success pos
slo!e, ] served through the War Of the Rebellion
member such devotion 10 duty or such an example
or courage and perseverance. 1t was mainly due TO
captain Woods loyalty and resolution that the ex-
petition was successful
lions Of life fe is most consoentious ana zeaieas
ofScer in the discharge of dItv HIS Tobvsioue IS
superb: his mental qualifications are Of the highest
General George A Forsyth:
.Gaptain Wood served with me on the frontier in
have known him well for the past ten years and
Fgra him M S bs al IF TN the s6S6g Rsst Sod
sense, executive ability, experience and courage
ooionsis in the 'T army 5'' one 'i Inc pest anu
Upon these and similar evidence Of fitness, Presi-
The LIST Volunteer Cavalry in May, 1855.
PRAISE FOR WORK IN SANTIAGO CAMPAIGN.
second-In the Santiago campaign Colonel Woods
service 2pPeaTEed ar TO justify bis aPpointment He
s4th Of June. 1885 and his brigade commander,
I cannot speak TOO highly of the efficient man
ner in which Colonel Wood handled his regiment
and his magnificent behavior on the field
His division commander, General Wheeler, re-
The magnificent and brave work done by this
regiment under the lead Of Colonel Wood, testihes
Inination Of this officer have been marked from the
moment ne reported 10 me az Tampa. ia, bat
duct on the field. and ! recommend him for the
He commanded brigade in the san Juan fight
tJuly l. 1885. and his division nd6T, Samuel
s. Sumner, reported Of him:
ispt brigade commanders Cnlnnels Wood" ete-
.be fofiov-f1e 5ficars v--s ca,,sDiSi,s fc beir
bravery and handled their troops well desire
% recommend them for promotion: Colonel
Wood 70 be bTigadier general
The third period command Of the
troops in occupation Of the province Of Santiago
end the administration OF the military government
n that province from August. 1885 TO December,
1885. General Woods appointment 10 this position
apears 70 have been based upon the following dis
patch from General Shafter dated August I;
leave IN command Of the city OF Santiago and per
haps Of the whole district
This important command carried with il natural
~ an appointment as major general Of volunteers
This commission vacated Hpon the reduction
q the army in the spring OF 1893. when General
Wood again appointed bTiFadier general Of
excellence OF his administration Of the military
government in the Department Of Santiago and
LLeItO tIllclpe ne was a-tln iIlade MAJOR general
- volunteers ana appointed Inllltary governor OF
cuba and commander of the United States forces
N thar island, then amounting TO somewhat over
1000
In the spring of 1901 General Woods commission
es major general Of volunteers being about 10
EiTe by operation Of law. he was nominated by
President Mckinley and confirmed by the Senate,
as br1gaoier general Of the regular army, and his
last years service : military governor under
mat commission. In the autumn after the end of
he military occupation OF Cuba. General Wood
applied for active service in the Philippines and
was assigned 10 the command Of the Department
o. Mindanso where he is now serving.
The administration Of the oflce Of military gov
eTuor of Cuba directly under the control and
supervision Cf the Secretary Of Var acting for the
Sreslcelt Ss COMMANDER IN OtleI- me hlgh estl-
mate I'Gr bT the Secretary or War upon General
Woods services military governor l. shown il
The published orders OF the War Department con
tsineo n The inclosed papers The opinions
both the Presidents under whom the services were
rendered