The Coeur D'alene Press

FORT SHERMAN.

How Gen. Carlin's Promotion Was Received at the Post.

The president of the United States has at last recognized the claims of a distinguished soldier and appointed Col. William P. Carlin, Fourth infantry, to be brigadier-general, U. S. Army.
The fact of his appointment was first learned here through the columns of the Spokane Review on the morning of May 18, although a telegram of congratulation from one of the general's friends had been received that morning.
The news spread rapidly about the post, and the commanding officer's quarters was soon filled with officers desiring to tender their hearty congratulations. Telegrams poured in all day from all parts of the country and from officers of all grades, as well as from personal friends, and the steady stream has not yet been interrupted.
While the Fourth infantry feels elated over the general's promotion, there is a feeling of sadness that they are to lose him as colonel. The men realize that they have had for the past 11 years one of the best, if not the best colonel in the service. They realize that discipline can be tempered with a just and considerate treatment of men that renders a regiment a most desirable place to serve. Especially is this true in the case of married men and old soldiers.
After his departure from the regiment the many good qualities that went to make the colonel well liked by the men will be intensified by comparison.
It is safe to say that Gen. Carlin will carry with him to his new sphere of duty the good will of every enlisted man of his regiment.
His promotion will carry Lieut.-Col. R. H. Hall, Sixth infantry, to the Fourth infantry as colonel. Major H. E. Egleston, Seventeenth infantry, will succeed Lieut.-Col. Hall in the Sixth. Capt. William H. Bisbee, Fourth infantry, who has commanded company H for 23 years, and who has served in the grade of captain for 27 years, goes to the Seventeenth as major.
Major Bisbee entered the service in 1861 as an enlisted man, and served as private and sergeant-major of the Eighteenth infantry until he was commissioned 2d lieutenant of that regiment in 1862. In 1866 he was promoted captain, and was transferred to the Fourth infantry in 1870 to company H, which he has commanded since that time. His long service in one grade certainly entitles him to the promotion which will follow Gen. Carlin's acceptance of the brigadier-generalship.
Lieut. C. W. Mason, Fourth infantry, now serving at Fort Spokane as post quartermaster, will be promoted to captain company H.
When the official notification of Gen. Carlin's appointment was received on the 18th a salute of 11 guns was fired on the post parade and the large garrison flag was flung to the breeze in honor thereof.
In the evening a reception was held at the general's quarters, where the officers and ladies of the garrison assembled to tender their congratulations.
The regimental band played "Hail to the Chief" when the guests had arrived and then continued a concert of choice music for half an hour longer.
Fatigue details are busy endeavoring to prevent a break in the dike along the river bank in rear of the quarters occupied by the married enlisted men. The water is now three feet above the level of the ground along there, and a fearful pressure is being exerted by the water on the dike. If it should give away the whole north side of the post will be flooded, except the high ground at the lower end of the officers' line. On the 19th the water was within four inches of the 1883 mark, and there had been a rise of nine inches within the preceding 24 hours. Should it rise 14 inches higher the fires will have to be put out in the pump house and the water system will be rendered useless, except a reserve held in the tank for use in case of fire.
The men are moving out of their houses and going into tents on the high ground near the river, for should the dike break there would be two feet of water in each house. The house occupied by Mrs. Donovan, below the bakery, is already surrounded by water.