The Irish standard., 1914-11-14
Through the death of Chaplai

These are filled through appoint
ment by selection of the president
and solely on merit. Chaplains are
eligible for appointment after ten
years service, provided their record
justifies it.
Among the foremost eligibles for
this vacancy is the well-known Rev.
Francis b. Doherty, of the Third
United States cavalry, at Fort Sam
Houston, Texas.
Father Doherty is native of Bos.
ton, Mass, and was born on Dec. 21,
1862. He was ordained on July 81,
1895, at the Catholic University of
America, became a member of the
Paulist community, and for years was
one of its most successful mission.
aries.
In 1898, on the request of President
Mckinley, and through the earnest so.
licitation of Archbishop Ireland.
Father Doherty went as volunteer
chaplain to the Philippine Islands
with the first expedition of the Amer
lean army. and did a great deal of
good work there, being mentioned in
four special dispatches to Washington
for distinguished gallantry in action.
Having taste of military life, and
with his love for his church and his
country, he entered the regular army
on March l, 1902, and was appointed
from California, having been at Saint
Mary's church in San Francisco.
Father Doherty's service has been
very versatile-in the Philippines,
Porto Rico, different parts of the
United States, and an assignment at
the big military prison at Fort Leayen-
worth, Kas.
He has been recommended for this
promotion by Colonel John T. Van
Orsdale, of the Seventeenth United
States infantry, under whom he sery-
ed for many years, and whose letter
is as follows:
Fort Mcpherson, Ca, July 20, 1913.
Father Francis B. Doherty:
Dear Chaplain: 1t has occurred to
me several times that you, with your
services and record, ought to make ap-
Plication for appointment as major,
and ! am writing to urge you to do so.
During the several years you have
served with the Seventeenth infantry,
which l had, and have the honor to
command, my opportunity to observe
your work and conduct was excellent
and shall never forget, especially.
the voluntary acts which led you on
number of occasions into very dang
erous positions. l need only to refer
to the Seranaya, Simpetan, Taraca
and Jolo expeditions in the depart
ment of Mindanao, P. 1. Your carry.
Ing OF arms and ammunition to aid
wounded and nearly played out" sol.
diers is we'll known to me, as also is
your great share, az soldier, in the
rescue from destruction of the small
command of thirty-nine officers and
men, thirteen of whom were killed and
eight wounded by an overwhelming
force of Moros at Simpetan. Other
dangers you volunteered and ran the
risk of such as the yellow fever at
Ciego de Avila, Cuba, in 1907, when
your proper station was Camaguey.
These are among the big things which
won you the respect and friendship
OF the Seventeenth, but l sometimes
think that to a commanding officer, as
much to be commended, was the help
you rendered daily in winning and
holding the respect and affection of
the enlisted men, contributing there.
by greatly through counsel and in.
tluence to the discipline of the COM
mand.
with best wishes, I am sincerely
your friend.
JOHN T. VAN ORsDALE."
Also Brigadier General Hugh R.
Scott, at present assistant chief of
staff, in letter to the adjutant gen.
eral of the army, in reference to
Chaplain Doherty, highly commends
him.
General Scott will probably be
designated the next chief of staff on
the retirement Of Major General w.
w. Wotherspoon. on Nov. Is.
His letter Is as follows:
Fort Bliss, Tex, July 10, 1913.
THE Adjutant General U. s. Army,
Washington. D. c.
"Sir: Chaplain F. B. Doherty, U. S.
army, has been mentioned for promo
ton to a majority, and l recommend
him for promotion most unreservedly.
II knew Chaplain Doherty in the
Philippines, where his bold, energetic
work with wounded men on the firing
line first brought him to my attention,
and when vacancy occurred In my
regiment Third cavalry I got him
transferred thereto, where he has en-
deared himself to enlisted men and
officers alike by his energetic solicit
tude for their temporal as we'll as
spiritual welfare.
Il consider him the most competent,
Woodworking, energetic and success.