The Washington herald., 1907-07-02
HUMPHREY RETIRES
Quartermaster General of
Army Quits Service.
MAI. ALESHIRE APPOINTED
veteran Soldier Ends Military Ca
reer, ut own Request, with Rank
Engage in Private Business-Suc-
cessOr Graduate of West Point.

Brigadier Gen. Charles T. Humphrey,
Quartermaster General of the army, was
retired yesterday at his own request with
the rank Of major general, and Maj.
James B. Aleshire. who has been attached
to the Quartermaster Generals Office. was
appointed to succeed him. The retire
ment Of Gen. Humphrey has been ex-
pected for several weeks. He timed his
retirement to meet the convenience of
Secretary Taft and to permit his success
sor 10 be selected and his appointment an
nounced at the same time.
Gen. Humphrey is a seasoned soldier
with a long and honorable record In the
service, and he has a host of friends not
limited 10 military circles. He viii en-
gage probably in private business after
a period OF rest.
Gen. Humphrey was born IN New York
September 2, 1874, and entered the sery-
ice az a private In Company Z, Fifth
Artillery, in March, 1863 He was gradu-
ated from the Artillery School in 1874
At the beginning Of the Spanish-American
war he held the rank Of lieutenant colo
mel and depot quartermaster. He served
in the Spanish-American war with the
rank Of brigadier general OF volunteers,
and was chief quartermaster Of the Santi-
ago campaign. His record IN Cuba was
especially credltable. Afterward he went
to the Philippines as chief quartermaster,
and served in that capacity throughout
most OF the long campaign. He has been
1 -.
1903.
Rises from Ranks.
In his letter to Secretary Taft, asking
ing for retirement. Gen. Humphrey says:
Il have been in the military service
continuously for more than forty-four
years, and during that time 1 have held
every grade Of rank from that OF private
TO that Of brigadier general. Much Of
my service has been arduous, my sery-
. ice as Quartermaster General Of the
army since April z, 1903 having been es-
pecially SO. I should like, and feel that
! am fairly entitled 10, relief from the
burden OF official responsibility that I
have borne for so many years.
Congress. largely on your recommen-
dalton, has been good enough 10 provide
for my retirement with the rank Of
major general. In view Of these facts
and because this is the beginning OF a
fiscal year and a favorable time for my
successor to enter upon the discharge Of
MS duties, 1 respectfully request that
De placed upon the retired list OF the
army.
IN making this application I desire TO
thank you. and through you the Presi-
dent, for the kindness and consideration
that both OF you have uniformly shown
me- and to assure you both Of the high
regard and friendly feeling that I enter
tain for you"
qurrreI with Col. Roosevelt.
While engaged at Slboney as chief quar-
termaster Of the Santiago expedition Gen.
Humphrey had a quarrel with Col. Roose-
welt. then commanding the Rough Rider
/ Regiment The ill-feeling then engendered
/ had not been adjusted when Mr. Roose-
/ welt became President. and Gen. Hum
/ phrey theB a colonel, was an applicant
/ for the vacant office Of QuartermasteT
General Gen. Humphrey was serving al
/ the time as chief quartermaster Of the
Philippines. He had already made a rec
1 ord. showing remarkable executive ability
/ in the face of tremendous obstacles. His
. friends went TO Mr.. Roosevelt TO urge his
/ promotion. but found that the President
was not responsive, OF appeared not 20 be.
This fact was communicated to Gen.
Humphrey at Manila, and he sent a long
cable message TO the President. pointing
| 20 his record and asking that il be exam
/ iued II was such q frank and manly
/ statement that Mr.. Roosevelt was i'm
! pressed. and he found upon examination
+ that 20 Gen. Humphrey much Of the sue
/ ce1s Of the several Philippine campaigns
was due. Gen. Humphrey was appointed
Quartermaster General and served con-
/ tiuuously in that Office for four years.
There are few men in the military
/ service IS popular as the retiring Quarter
master General He Is liked particularly
I by younger officers to whom he has
/ shown many k!ndnesses and given en-
/ couragement. He was prominent In the
/ organization Of the Military order Of the
CarabaO. and is Paramount Cardiac. OF
/ president. Of the Washington Corral
Graduate of West Point.
Maj. James B. Aleshire, who succeed.
/ Gen. Humphrey as Quartermaster Gen
eral, is a native Of Ohio. and a graduate
/ Of West Point. He was born October
/ 81, 1856: appointed cadet in the Military
Academy June Il, 1876. His first service
was in the First Cavalry, but he was
appointed a captain and quaTtermastsI
/ February 2, 1901 He IS the Department.
I expert on horses.
/ Cen Aleshire is appointed under the
/ four years detail system.
FIFTEEN OFFICERS RETIRED.