The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1903-02-19
SURPRISING CHANGES
AMONG ARMY
OFFICERS
Nominations of Major Gen
erals Not in Accordance
With War Departments
Original Plan-one Due to
Gen. Breckenridges' Oppo-
sition to General Staff Bill.

WASHINGTON, D. c., Feb. 49,
The following nominations were sent
to the senate today:
Brig. Gen. ]. c. Breckenridge, in
spector general, to be major general,
April II, vice Maj. Gen. r. P. Hughes;
Brig. Gen. NJ. 1. Ludington, quarter
master general, to be major general,
vice Breckenridge, to be retired; Brig.
Gen. James F. Wade, to be major gen.
eral, vice Ludington, to be retired.
These nominations came as a, genu-
inc surprise to army officers, except
those directly concerned. The original
programme of the department, an
nounced several weeks ago, contem-
plated the single promotion of Brig.
Gen. James T. Wade to the grade of
major general on the statutory retire
ment of Maj. Gen. Robert P. Hughes,
commanding the department of Cali
fornia, on the 18th of April next. The
promotion of Inspector General Brock
enridge and Quartermaster General
Ludington to the grade of major gem
eral on the retirement of Gen. Hughes,
and their retirement on the same date
in order to make way for Gen. Wade,
was an afterthought.
Due to General Staff Law.
There is an impression in we'll in.
formed military circles that the enact
ment of the general staff law and Gen.
Breckenridge's connection with that
legislation = were potent factors in
bringing about the change of plan.
Gen. Iudington, however, is three
years older than the inspector general,
and would have retired for age July
next. 1t is generally supposed that
both these staff officers would retire
in their present grade of brigadier gen
eral. In recognition of their long and
honorable service however, the secre-
n wit 1Nn -oI - = I.
president, concluded to advance them
both to the grade Of major general on
the condition that they retire at once
This was acceptable to both Gems.
Breckenridge and Ludington. In ad-
vocating the creation of the general
STAFF, Secretary Root insisted on the
adjustment of the inspector general
department Of the army as no longer
necessary, since its duties would be
performed by the general staff.
Department Not Disturbed.
This particular feature of the bill,
drawn by the war department, was re-
sisted vigorously by Gen. Brecken-
ridge, with the result that the inspector
general department was not disturbed
by the bill as it became a law 1t
therefore appears that while Gen.
breckenridge saved his corps, he no
longer will have the direction Of it's
affairs.
Other important army changes in the
near future will be the promotion of
Maj. Gen. S. B. NJ Young, as lieutenant
general, on the retirement of Gen.
Miles in August next, the promotion of
Brig. Gen. S. S. Sumner to the grade
of major general on the retirement of
Maj. Gen. George w. Davis In July
next, and the promotion of Brig. Gen.
Leonard to be a major general, to fill
the vacancy caused by the promotion
of Gen. Young in August.
The president also made the follow
Ing nominations today:
Cavalry-To be colonel, Lieut.. Col.
Winfield S. Edgerly, Seventh cavalry;
lieutenant colonel May. Walter S.
Schuyler, Second cavalry; major, Capt.
Augustus P. Blockson, Seventh caval-
ry; captain, First Lieutenant A. e.
Remington, Tenth cavalry.
Infantry-Second lieutenants, julius
s. Turrill, Vermont; Walter w. Merrill.
Ohio; Reginald H. Kelly, California:
Edward H. Pearce California;; Claud
n. Feamster, Texas; Cyrus R, Street,
California; Clarence A. Eustaphieve.
New York; Joseph A. NTauborgne, New
York; Joseph M. Cummins, Missouri:
Thomas c. Musgrave, Texas; Converse
r. Lewis, Louisiana.