NAMES OF OFFICERS, Of the United States army recommended for brevets by Brigadier-General W. J. Worth, commanding the forces in Florida, April 25, 1842. Upon some of the number, the distinction has been conferred. No. 129. Head-quarters, Army of Florida, Camp Wandell, SIR-In compliance with repeated instructions, I have the honor to submit the following list of officers for the distinction of promotion by brevet. The peculiar nature of this service, offering constant occasion for the display of zeal, energy, and talent, patient endurance of hardship and privation, but few opportunities for the more brilliant exhibitions of those qualities which attract and fix attention in the presence of an enemy worthy a soldier's blade,' renders this a difficult and delicate duty. I have numbered the list from 1 to 25, and propose to remark upon each, seriatim. 1st. Lieutenant-Colonel J. Garland, 4th infantry, was in commission during the last war, and has risen gradually to his present rank; is highly active, intelligent, and zealous; has served a former tour in this territory in the grade of major; given cordial and zealous support during this campaign, and conducted himself excellently well in the presence of the enemy: recommended for the brevet of colonel. 2d. Lieutenant-Colonel B. Riley, 2d infantry, has rendered much faithful and energetic service in this territory; is an old battle-officer in the war of 1812, of indisputable gallantry, much and unrequited service in that contest; has risen step by step to his present grade: recommended for the brevet of colonel. 3d. Major J. Plymton, of the same regiment, also a battleofficer in the war of 1812, highly intelligent, qualified, and moral, reached his present grade by regular promotion; has rendered zealous and efficient service during the past winter, and twice met the enemy in battle: recommended for brevet of lieutenantcolonel. 4th. Major W. G. Belknap, 8th infantry, eminently distinguished in the war of 1812-no man of his grade more so, and envied by many of higher; repeatedly wounded, never rewarded. Confessedly, at the assault upon Fort Erie, by the management of his picket, gave the army time to get under arms, and perhaps saved it. His whole career since has been one of intelligent usefulness, and constant exhibition of capacity for any command. In this territory, has been very successful in getting in hostiles, and met them in battle: recommended for brevet of lieutenantcolonel, to date December 20, 1841. 5th. Brevet Major Thomas Childs, 3d artillery, likewise an officer of last war, received a grade by brevet in this contest in 1836; has been distinguished by zeal and capacity for command, and by success throughout: recommended for brevet of lieutenant-colonel. 6th. Captain T. P. Gwynne, 8th infantry, was engaged at the battle of Okee-chobee (then of the 1st) for habitual excellence of character and conduct, and, since his present regiment came here, for zealous conduct and success; has met the enemy in fight; is senior captain of his regiment, and would do honor to the preferment to which he is recommended-major by brevet. 7th. Captain B. L. Beall, 2d dragoons, has met the enemy in this contest oftener, perhaps, than any other officer; is brave and generous recommended for major by brevet. 8th. Captain George A. McCall, 4th infantry, has formerly served with distinction in this service, highly accomplished, full of zeal, intelligence, and capacity for command, and would do more honor to the rank than it could confer upon him; his regiment will highly appreciate the compliment conferred upon this gallant captain: recommended for major by brevet. 9th. Captain W. Seawell, 7th infantry, distinguished for zeal, energy and capacity, and conduct in combat with the enemy; is an accomplished officer, and in all respects would do honor to the grade recommended for major by brevet. 10th. Captain George Wright, 8th infantry-all that has been said of the high qualifications of the two preceding applies to him, except his active efforts have not brought him in contact with the enemy; qualified to command a regiment under any circumstances: recommended for major by brevet. 11th. Captain George Andrews, 6th infantry, distinguished and severely wounded at the battle of Okee-chobee; meritorious and capable in all respects: recommended for major by brevet. 12th. Captain R. D. A. Wade, 3d artillery, a worthy officer, distinguished for the zeal and perseverance with which he carried out an enterprise, resulting in the capture of sixty of the enemy-an important service; his preferment is looked for by the service as beyond doubt: recommended for major by brevet. 13th. Captain S. Casey, 2d infantry, is an officer of rare merit; has seen much, and, particularly during the recent operations, rendered very valuable service; equally intelligent and persevering in pursuit and combat with the enemy: recommended for the brevet of major. 14th. First-Lieutenant W. H. T. Walker, 6th infantry, in the action of Okee-chobee received five wounds; of high chivalry and excellent qualities: recommended for captain by brevet. 15th. First-Lieutenant George Taylor, 3d artillery, distinguished for high intelligence and capacity for service; served unintermittingly from the time of leaving the military school (three years); constantly in the field and often in combat: recommended for captain by brevet. 16th. First-Lieutenant P. N. Barbour, 3d infantry-for particulars see Colonel Vose's report herewith, to which I cheerfully accord recommended for captain by brevet. 17th. First-Lieutenant J. V. D. Reeve, 8th infantry, distinguished in battle in this territory in 1836, and distinguished for zealous and intelligent performance of duty: recommended for captain by brevet. 18th. First-Lieutenant E. J. Steptoe, 3d artillery, distinguished for intelligence and capacity for service; has served unintermittingly since leaving the academy (three years); and has been constantly in the field, and often in combat: recommended for captain by brevet. 19th. First-Lieutenant J. T. Sprague, adjutant of the 8th infantry and aid-de-camp, has rendered important and valuable service, in all respects worthy and deserving the promotion asked; has been in combat with the enemy: recommended for captain by brevet. 20th. First-Lieutenant W. Alburtis, 2d infantry, particularly distinguished in a most gallant action with the band of CotsaTustenuggee, on Orange Creek-for date of circumstance, see report in the adjutant-general's office; if asked for an opinion, I should say the handsomest affair during the war. 21st. First-Lieutenant R. A. Arnold, 2d dragoons-in the recent combat with the enemy (April, 1842) this young officer, in the heat of pursuit, became separated from his company with eight men, and found himself in presence of a superior and wellposted force of the enemy, against whom he sustained himself with great gallantry, even when his small force was reduced by one killed and two wounded: recommended for brevet of captain. 22d. Second-Lieutenant George H. Thomas, 3d artillery, was the second of Captain Wade in the important service rendered by that officer, and his strenuous coadjutor; this officer has rendered very efficient service, and is highly meritorious, and deserving the brevet of first-lieutenant, for which he is recommended. 23d. First-Lieutenant J. W. Anderson, adjutant of the 2d infantry, conducted with great cleverness an expedition, which resulted in the capture of a party of the enemy, in August last (see his report on file in the adjutant-general's office); he is a young officer of high promise and merit: recommended for the brevet of captain. 24th. Second-Lieutenant Douglass S. Irwin, 3d infantry, for special gallantry and conduct in the face of the enemy-for date and circumstances, see his report on file in the adjutant-general's office. 25th. Second-Lieutenant F. D. Callender, ordnance corps. I most especially commend this admirable young officer to the distinction of a brevet, which he has earned by zealous and valuable services. In the duties of his own corps, he has been every thing I could desire; but he has been the ready, prompt, and efficient volunteer in all line duties, and a full participant in all hardships; he is as intelligent as active: recommended for brevet of first-lieutenant. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, The Adjutant-General U. S. Army, } W. J. WORTH, Colonel Commanding. THE END. |