The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1916-04-28
ARMY'S ONLY NEGRO OFFICER
 AFTER MEXICAN BANDIT VILLA
Major Charles Young Commands Second Squadron of Tenth Cavalry In Hunt for Man Who Raided Colum- bus-Has Long Career Marked By Pathos and Heroic Acts.

unlikely to create embarrassment. Captain Young himself had been a volunteer officer in his day. In 1898 he was detached from his regiment to. serve as major in the Ninth Ohio In fantry, a Spanish war volunteer force of which he was the highly; successful schoolnaster; perhaps if the truth be known, the actual commander. Ash
 Aside from his tours of duty in Hayti, Captain Young also comqand- ed his troops in the Philippines. Off, cers who served with dnim there relate many tales not only of his military abilities, but of his successful adapt abilit,- to the life of various posts. ttHe was my troop cornnnander,'' said one of his Heutenants recently, and he was a good one. He knew his bus mess. He made all the formal garri- son calls required by the regulations and he also arranged to make them go that they were perfectly covered by the leaving of his card. He came to my house when duty made it neces- saGy for him to come, or even when convenience in duty was served by his Coming. He always dispatched his business promptly. And he always made it perfectly natural and easy hallway until that -4usiness was trans acted.'' 5y
 Another officer spoke of Captain Young's skill in avoiding an awkward situation on board the troopship re- turning from Manila to the United States.
 It was the duty of the quartermas- ter in charge to arrange Seats at ta- ble for officers and their wives. The troopers passenger list included many officers of southern birth with many army wives and daughters of pro- nouced aversion to race equality. Yet Captain Young's rank entitled him to his place at the table ip the dining sa- lon., There was much excitement on board, the quartermaster finally reach ing the conclusion that he could not attempt any change in the prescribed arrangements.
 ? .Leave. it to Young" said an officer of the Ninth
 and when the quartermaster handed the. captain his table slip that officer quickly said:
 H'I regret to say that I shall have to mess sergeant and some new non cons and think the troop interior economy will be better if I give 1t my personal supervision during the voy- age-and thank you very much.''
 A eolOfed chaplain attached to the Ninth elected to stand on his rights and demand his privileges Subse- | quently he did accept Captain Young's pressing invitation to share the troop hospitality.
 
 major put the war department in more of a, quandary, or, at any rate, the>l war department thought it did. It might be possible to find two white lieutenants of sufficient appreciation and grace to serve under him, but a squadron commander with a staff of his own and four outfits of troop of ficers presented more difficulties. He received his promotion in 1912, not long after which the department con- ceived the brilliant idea of sending him to Liberia. Young went unques- tionab1y and uncomplainingl He is an excellent soldier.
 And in the bankrupt and troubled, Tiff fdealistic, little Liberian republic he performed distinguished service. Nom- finally the American military attache he acted as advisor to the govern ment, did much to stimulate the agri- cultural development and contributed materially in adjusting a certain vex- atious commercial dispute involvine. European nations. Then came the up- rising of the tribesmen in the hinter- land. He asked his government for and obtained. permission to organize and command the Liberian cnnstabu- airy.
 force of blacks he whipped into rnili- tary shape which made them the su- periors of the British Haussas. And with them he chased the revoIting tribesmen to the hinterland and sub jugation. It cost him dearly to do It. he was worn with fever and exha11s- uon when he was shot through the body. He did not expect to live It is said that as he lay in the rnakeshift hospital at Monrovia he uttered his nearest approach to a complaint