New Britain herald., 1925-01-15
GENERAL BULLARD
 RETIRING TODAY
Leaves Army After Forty Years
 Service; Indian Fighter

Washington. Jan. i5.-By the CO., incidence of their birth on the same day S4 years ago, two major generals both with long military careers crowned by conspicuous service with the American army in the World War passed from active service to- day under the age retirement law.
 Gen. Morton Too.
 War department records show that Major General Robert l.. Bullard. commanding the Second Corps Area at Governors Island, and Major Gen eral Charles G. Morton, commanding the Ninth Corps Area at San Fran cisco were born January 15, 1861. Passage of 46 years since General Morton entered the military acade- my from Massachusetts in July 1879, gives him a service record just three years longer than that of his com rade from Alabama, who put on the cadet uniform in July 1881.
 Letters appraising the long years of conspicuous services by both off, cers were handed them by Secretary Weeks on turning over their com mands to appointed successors.
 In his letter to General Bullard, the war secretary recalled that it was who led the first American division to enter the front line of battle in France, the first to fire on German. forces, the first to take a German prisoner, and the first to pierce the hostile position in the battle of Cam tigny-the first American offensive of the war.
 "rhe first division under your di- rection and leadership" the letter said, established a high standard and its spirit and its achievements will go down in American history as among the finest of our patriotic tra- ditions."
 ' NTorton's Work.
 The achievements of General Mor- ton as commander of the 29th divi- sion and during his detail as military observer for the American Forces in France were recounted in praisewor- thy fashion by Secretary Weeks in his letter to the Ninth Corps com mander.
 The records of both officers. Secre- tary Weeks said, had served to fix the high standards of their profes- sion before the eyes of both the na- ton and the army.
 It is understood thatGeneral Bull lard will enter business in New York city although his plans have not yet been announced.
 The day of his retirement came after a rousing dinner of farewell given last night to him by his asso- ciates in service. It followed on evening devoted to "reminiscences Of his companions in arms, who revived memories of the days when the guest of honor fought against the Indians, took part in the Philippine wars, saw service on the Mexican border and finally led one of Amcri- cas- armies against the Germans.
 As his final word of farewell. Gen eral Bullard uttered warning against what he termed the made quately defended state of the region about New York city.
 Tn this area are inscparably bound up the interests of the nation and yet there are spots on the New Jersey and Long Island coast not prepared to resist hostile landing" he said. "An enemy fleet off this coast could separate us from the rest of the world"
 His Hast word to the country was don neglect 10 defend the eastern gateway"
 Major Charles r. Sunmerail and Major General James G. Ilarbord, U. s. A. retired, were both checred when they declared that the retiring officer should have been permitted by congress to leave the service with the rank of lieutenant general which he had won during the days "whcn the country was in jeopardy"
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