Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-03-08


main mounted for the time being. The
regiment remained in that status until last
year In June two of the mounted COM
panies were dismounted and the remaining
two were dismounted in January, 1903, the
battalion becoming again battalion OF
infantry. The two battalions are COM
manded by officers of the regular army.
The first battalion is stationed at San Juan
and the second at Cayey.
The regiment has been exceptionally for
tunate in the class of men that have been
detailed and appointed as it's officers.
The first commanding officer, Colonel Blu
chanan, remained with the regiment four
years. He is one of the most popular Of
ficers of the army and a present commands
one of the best regiments in. the regular
establishment. the oath Colored Infantry.
Associated with him were Maj. Eben Swift.
and later Maj. Robert l.. Howe. Major
Swift is graduate of West Point and has
a record as fighter. He participated in
the Indian campaigns in the west during
the early days of his service and at the
outbreak of the war with Spain was re-
spectively major, lieutenant colonel and
colonel of the 4th and 9Th Illinois VOL
unteers. He went to Porto Rico at the
time of the organization of the battalion
of native volunteers and remained with the
regiment during the various stages OF Its
organization until 1903, when he was re-
Heved and, having been promoted to the
rank of major in the regular establishment,
was detailed an assistant adjutant gem
eral and assigned to the 18th Cavalry.
Had Brilliant Record.
Major Howe, who came to the regiment
in 1901, came with a brilliant record. He is
a graduate of West Point, and at the time
of the outbreak of the war with Spain was
first lieutenant in the 9th Cavalry. He was
appointed a captain and assistant adjutant
general of volunteers at the beginning of the
war. In 1899 he became a lieutenant colonel
of the Saith Volunteer Infantry and went to
the Philippine Islands, where his record is
bright page in the history of the American
occupation. So well did he do his work that
he rose to the rank of brigadier general of
volunteers before the service of the volun-
teers expired, and he was in command of
the party that rescued Lieutenant Gilmore
of the navy from the Filpinos This is prob
ably the neatest exploit of Major Howze's
service in the east. When the volunteers
were all mustered out of the service in July,
1901, Major Howe was appointed major
in the Porto Rican regiment and Joined
shortly afterWard. He was also promoted
to the grade of captain in the regular army
and was assigned to the 9th Cavalry. The
term of Major HowZe's detail out in
July last and he was succeeded by Major
Thomas w. Griffith, 2Sth Infantry, who now
commands the LIST Battalion and was in
command of the battalion which took part
in the inaugural parade Saturday.
Major Ames came to the regiment in 1901
at the same time Major Howe, and has
had command of the I'd Battalion. He Is
still with the regiment and commands the
battalion stationed at Cayey. He is grad
uate of West Point and has served in the
infantry. Lieut.. Col. Il. ]. Crane of the Sth
Infantry succeeded Colonel Buchanan in the
command of the regiment in October, 1903,
and is the present commanding officer. Col
onel Crane is a native of Mississippi and is
a graduate of West Point. He was appoint
ed colonel of the 9th United States Volun-
teer Infantry in May, 1898, and served with
his regiment in Cuba. He went to the Phil
ippines as lieutenant colonel of the 3Sth
Volunteer Infantry. and served throughout
the instruction. He became major in the
18th Infantry February 2, 1901, and was
promoted to be lieutenant colonel in August
1903. In October of the same year he was
assigned to relieve Colonel Buchanan. Col
onel Crane now commands the military dis
trict of Porto Rico and has his headquarters
at San Juan.
Commands First Battalion.
Major Griffith commands the first battal-
ion stationed at San Juan. Major Griffith
is a graduate of West Point of the class of
1879, the same class with which Adjutant
General Lloyd M. Brett of the District mil
tia was graduated. Major Griffith is known
as one of the most thorough officers of the
army. His knowledge of the duties of a
soldier are surpassed by no infantry Of
ficer in the service, 1t is said. and though
ne mas Ue6n DuL d llItle more IMAM SIX
months in Porto Rico he is one of the best
known and most respected men the is
land today. His battalion consists of Com
panies A. B. c and D. These companies
are quartered at Ell MORO, the fortress at
San Juan that has never been captured
The works were constructed about 1860 and
the quarters occupied by Major Griffith
were built by Ponce de Leon. The section
of the works known San Cristobal were
captured once by the English under Drake
and once by the Dutch but they withstood
several severe assaults. On the parade
ground at San Cristobal, $50 yards from
Morro is tablet that marks the nearest
the Dutch approached that fortress.
Major Ames commands the second battal-
ion. consisting of Companies E, T, and H.
which is stationed at Cayey, but short
distance from San Juan.
OF the company officers the senior cap
tain is Orval p. Townshend of Illinois
Captain Townshend was born in Illinois, but
lived a great deal of his time in this city.
He is son of the late Representative
Richard Wellington Townshend of Illinois
and nephew of the late DR.. Smith Town
shend, for many years health officer of the
District. At the outbreak Of the war with
Spain Captain Townshend appointed
a captain In the 9th Illinois Infantry, with
which regiment he served in Cuba, until 1t
was mustered out of service. He was then
appointed first lieutenant In the Porto
Rican battalion and ieappointed when 1t
was made provisional regiment In the
regular army. He was promoted to be cap
tain In December, 1901, and now holds that
commission having been reappo1nted for a
term Of four years on the first OF July last.