The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-06-25
TAFT PROMOTES
ARMY OFFICERS
Wotherspoon Named to Succeed
Grant-Three Other
Appointments.

washington, June 24.-Four import
ant appointments in the army were
decided upon to-day by President Taft,
who will send the nominations to the
Senate next Thursday for confrma-
ton. The most important promotion
which will be recommended 10y ;he
President is TINT of Brlgadier- General
William w. Wotherspoon. cC,nmand-
ing the Department OF the Calf, with
headquarters ut Atlanta, Ga, to be a
Encouragement to nil the vacancy in
the higher grade caused by the death
OF Major-General Frederick u. Grant
formerly commanding the Atlantic Di-
vision, with headquarters at New
York.
Three officers are recommended to
be appointed brigadier- generals to I'LL
vacancies caused by the recent death
of Brigadier-G General Joseph W. Dun
can, formerly in command of the De-
partment OF Texas. the retirement of
observation-disclosures Daniel II. Brush
formerly in command OF the Depart
ment OF California. and the promotion
OF BriGadicr General Wotherspoon.
The briyadiers named by the Presi-
dent are General Clarence II. Ed
wards, former! of the infantry; Col
onel George T.. Chase, of the cavalry.
and Colonel Edward }. McClernund,
also of the cavalry.
General Wotherspoon was born in
District of Columbia, in November,
1850, and received his early educa-
ton in the local schools. His first
military experience was in the United
States Navy. in which he held the
rank masters mate from March,
1870, 10 October. 1873. In the latter
month lie was appointed second lieu
tenant of the Twelfth United States
infantry. He served In that regi-
ment until February. 1901. when he
was made major of the Thirtieth In
tantry. He became Northumberland
of the Fourteenth Infantry in July,
1894. and two years later was trans
ferred TO the Nineteenth Infantry.
While holding that rank in October.
1907. he was promoted over the heads
Of li5 senior officers to the rank of
bri6adier- general. His advancement
was in recognition of his efficient SER
vices in the Philippines
Since returning from the islands in
1902, he has presided over the in
fantry and cavalry school. at Fort
Leavenworth Kan. and the Army
War College in this city. He has
served two details on the general
staff corps in this city. A few months
ago he was relieved from duty at the
Army War College and assigned to
the command OF the department of the
Gnlf Generals Funston. Bliss Mills
and Pershing were senior to General
Wotherspoon in the list OF brigadicr
generals in the order named. General
Notherspoon will retire for age in
November. 1914.
General Edwards is chief OF the Insu-
lar Bureau of the War Department. tho
incumbent OF which office has the rank
AMI pay of a brigadier. His present
appointment makes him brigadier-
general in the regular line of the army.
He is from Ohio and was graduated
from the Military Academy in June.
1888. During the Spanish War and the
Philippine insurrcction he served as
major and assistant adjutant- general
Of volunteers. and then as lieutenant
colonel of the Fore: seventh United
States Volunteer Infantry. He saw
considerable active service in the Phil
ippines under General Lawton. While
holding the rank of captain in the
Tenth United States Infantry in June.
1906, he was made chief OF the Bureau
of lnsular Affairs. with the rank of
brigadicr- general. under authority of a
special act of Congress. He is now in
Europe In the interest of the Pacific
Panama Exposition at San Francisco.
Colonel Chase is from Illinois AMI
was graduated from the Military Acad-
envy In June, 1871. Most of his service
was l.. tho cavalry arm He reached
the grade of colonel in October 1906
and was assigned TO the command of
tho Fifteenth Cavalry After holding
that command about eight months he
was detailed TO duty In the inspector
generals department. and is now scrv-
ing at the headquarters of the Atlantic
Division. Governors Island, r.. V
Colonel McClcrnand is me ial of
honor man, having received that deco
| ration for distinguished gallantry in
action against hostile Nez Perez In
dams at Bear Paw Mountains, in Mon
| tana, In September. 1877. He is from
Illinois and was graduated from the
Naval Academy in June: 1870. He served
IN the cavalry arm except during the
| philippine insurrection, when he was
| colonel in command of the Forty
fourth Volunteer Infantry, and for
short detail to tho volunteer adjutant-
generals department. He became coll
6nel Of the Ninth Cavalry in November.
| 1905 and was transferred 10 the First
Cavalry few days later. He Is now
in command of that regiment at the
! Preside, san Francisco. Several years
ago he was stationed in this city as
| member of the general staff corps.
Colonel Chase will retire for age in.
| July next, and Colonel McClernand
VIII reach the retiring age In the fol-
| lowing December. thus allowing Pres
| dent Taft opportunity to appoint two
more brigadiers