Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-06-15
OFFICERS RETIRED
STAFF CAPTAINS OF RECENTLY
DISBANDED 1sT REGIMENT.
Orders Issued From Headquarters
Service Medals to Be Presented
Next Wednesday.

Considerable surprise was caused in local
National Guard circles today by the issu-
ance Of a general order from headquarters,
District of Columbia Militia, announcing
that Capt. Clarence A. Weaver, surgeon;
Capt. Thomas s.. King. inspector of rife
practice; Capt. Leroy w. Heron. adjutant.
and Capt. Robert Cook. quartermaster. all
Of the recent LIST Regiment, will be honor
ally discharged of this date.
1t is explained that the discharges were
ordered in conformity with the opinion of
the Judge advocate general, United States
army, approved by the Secretary Of War,
with reference to the status Of regimental
officers in case Of disbandment of the regt-
ment to which they have been commits
stoned, they having been rendered super
numerary.
The order sets forth that in view Of the
fact that some, and perhaps all, of the
officers named will re-enter upon active
service soon as there Is reorganization
of the I'd, Sd and 4th Separate Battalions
into e. regiment the interim caused by the
discharges ordered shall not affect contin-
uous service In so far as that may affect
the matter of service medals only
The understanding is that the action re-
sulting in the discharge of Capts. Weaver.
King, Heron and Robert Cook all efficient
officers, was rendered absolutely necessary
eral of the army. In upholding the action
Of Gen. Harries in disbanding the 1st Regi-
ment and honorably discharging Col. Henry
May, Lieut.. Col. Burton r. Ross and Chap
lain Walden Myer. the judge advocate gen.
eral of the army announced that all the
regimental officers were rendered supernum-
erary by the disbandment, and, there being
no provision of law for a supernumerary
list, the dischage Of the remainder Of the
regimental officers was necessary.
Served in Cuba.
Captain Weaver, Captain King and Cap
tain Heron served most creditably as Of
ficers of the 1st District of Columbia In
fantry, United States Volunteers, during the
war with Spain. and for that reason, partic-
ularly, General Harries regretted the neces-
sity Of directing their discharge from the
National Guard. Captain Robert Cook was
not an officer of the National Guard in 1898.
and did not go to war, but since he has held
his commission his service in the guard, it
is stated, has been all that could be desired
In the general order Of May 8, 1908, dis
banding the LIST Regiment and directing the
honorable discharge Of Col. May, Lieut. CoL
Ross and Chaplain Myer, Captain King was
transferred. temporarily, to the command
of Company d, 1st Regiment, Captain
Weaver was directed to report to the sur
geon general, District of Columbia militia,
for special duty; Captain Heron was trans
ferred, temporarily, to the 1st ARTERY of
Field Artillery, and Captain Robert Cook
was transferred. temporarily, to Company
M. I'd Regiment. These transfers were made
for the purpose Of retaining the officers af-
fected in the service, but the opinion of the
Judge advocate gene raj of the army
was construed as compelling their dis
charge.
The brigade will be directed to assemble
on the ellipse of the White Lot at 6:15 pm.
next Wednesday. the 21st instant, when the
Secretary OF War will review the command
and formally present service medals to 129
guardsmen entitled to the same