Evening journal., 1920-03-22

pot quartermaster at Omaha, NcD., and
construction quartermaster, Columbus,
Ohio; on duty in the Quartermaster
Generals ONCE. Washington, D. c., IN
charge OF transportation and regular
supplies. On breaking out Of tho
Spanish-American War, General Bird
was put In charge OF the Division OF
Rail and Water transportation. at
which time ne organized and was d.
rectly In charge OF the new branch OF
the Quartermaster's Department known
as the transport service, and was re-
sponsible for the movement OF traps
by I'll and transport 10 our various
Island possessions.
The transport service consisted OF
26 owned vessels and ii2 chartered
transports. The owned transports
were fitted up in the most improved
manner for the comfort OF our troops
the flttings including sleeping apart
ments, galleys. lavoratories and bath
Ing facilities, electric ventllatlng and
refrigeratlng plant This transport
service was a surprise to the principal
nations Of the world, many Of them
having sent representatives. TO exam
Inc the ships for their information. I'D
TO the time that General Bird retired,
OF the thousands Of officers and sol
dlers, civilians and animals carried, the
record showed that not one had been
injured on account OF navigation OF
( owing TO faulty construction.
His volunteer rank held during the
Spanish War was as follows: Lieuten-
ant colonel and chief quartermaster and
brigadier general; commissioned lieu
tenant colonel and department quarter
master general In the Regular Army and
The services rendered by General /
brigadier general L. S. Army.
BIRD In the Twenty-third Infantry was
In the Department OF California, the |
Department OF Columbia, the Depart
ment OF Arizona, the Department OF the
Platte and the Department OF the East |
General Bird received the following |
brevets IN the Regular Army: Brevet 1
nrst lieutenant and brevet captain for |
gallant and merltorious service in the
battle OF fredericksburg, Va; brevet
major for gallant and merhorlous ser
Vice In the battle OF SpOttsylvania, Va.
brevet lieutenant colonel for gallant
and mertorious service at the battle
OF Petersburg, Va.
The following Is quoted from General
Birds record In the Men OF Mark In
America: Soldier from 2nd lieutenant
TO colonel u. s. Volunteers, Civil War,
taking part IN &c battles, receiving two
serious wounds and remaining on ac-
tive duty for over a year with an open
wound entirely through his body and
a brigade before he was
,6 years old Promoted from 2nd lieu
enant 10 brlgadier general in regular
service. From lieutenant colonel TO ,
)rigadler general In regular service.
From lieutenant colonel 10 brigadier .
yeneral in Spanish War. Retired by t,
,peration OF law as brlgadier general !
j. s Army, June n, 1902. He was hon f,
Irary member Of the Society OF Clncln- =
latl of Delaware, a Companion OF the ;
illitary Order OF the Loyal Legion. !
member OF the Society OF the 2nd |,
Army Corps and Spanish and Philip
zine War Society OF the Sons OF the RI
Amerlcan Revolution, member OF the c
'entral Committee Of the American Red :
1ross.
General Bird was married November !
Is, 1866, to Mary Clark Bowman, dsugh- 4
Ter OF Peter and Mary Adams Bowman I
General Bird had a peace-time record
rs excellent as that which ne made in +
the war. General Charles Bird being :,
deeply interested In the spiritual and /
moral welfare OF the men OF the army, /
made an effort TO establish religious I
work in the garrisons, where he served I
where there was no chaplain.
At Fort Spokane Washington, Cen \
'ral Bird started a Sunday school for
he men and also an organization OF
iood Templars. which included a large
majority Of the men as members. Both
4 these ORGANIZATIONS virtually changed
he moral and religious condition in
he garrlsons. From Fort Spokane, 4
ieneral Bird was ordered 10 Helena, c
iontana, as chief quartermaster OF the n
istrIct While stationed there, he was z
In organizing a Young ii
lens Christian Association, which n
roved TO be a great beneflt, not only h
o the young men OF Helena, but 10 n
reat number OF young men from the :
arious ranches. =
From Helena. Montana, General Bird
vas ordered TO Fortress Monroe. Vir- o.
nia, where he organized the FIRST 4.
Ouuk MHll > AlIlSAldu A0HNtldAlNu III n
he army. Maior-General Schoneld IN =
making an inspection OF the Artillery y
chOol at Fortress Monroe, informed !,
he commanding officer after inspect a
lg the association rooms, that he con
ldered II one OF the best conditions .,
nat he had nmet with in the garrison. ti
large number OF the men } elonged !.
} this association and were helpful in ~
rganizing Bible classes. Sunday schools !.
nd religious work. both on Sunday u
nd throughout the week A majority Il
I the officers Of the garrison supported
le association, recognizing that 1t had
cen a great moral uplift TO a great u
ajorlty OF the men on duty there ID
urlng General Birds stay at Fortress o
onroe, re conducted a Bible class in a
Ie Hygeia Hotel among the colOred
slp. This class consisted about about
men and women and was greatly
,preclated by them. p
At Omaha, Nebraska, General Bird NJ
,came a director Of the Young Mems y
lristian Association and taught each IN
inday a large Bible class there. Of
At Columbus Barracks, Columbus. VI
nio, there being no chaplain. General 70
ird organized Mems Club among the G.
listed men rather than an association eI
acause the garrison was a recruiting bl
alton and few Of the men were per- W
anently stationed there. This Mems 81
lub carried on religious work through C;
10 xvppk and on sunday