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Show A DISTINGUISHED IRISH OFFICER Colonel John J. O Connell, commanding command-ing the Thirtieth infantry at Fort Crook, Nebraska, was retired -Dec. 16 after forty years' service, on account of age. He was born in the County Kerry. Ireland, in 1840. In February, 1865, he enlisted as a private in company com-pany A of the engineers and after ' two yearn' servico in the ranks was appointed ap-pointed second lieutenant of the First infantry. By gradual promotion he ' reached the grade of colonel in April, 1903, and has since been in command of the Thirtieth infantry. He served in t many campaigns against the Indians and escorted the famous Indian chief Young-Man-Afraid-ol'-Ihs-liorse from the Crow country in Wyoming to General Gen-eral Miles at the Pine Ridge agency. This was during the Wounded Knee campaign: While in command of company com-pany E, First infantry, during the Spanish-American war, it is said that he drev the first blood In the war at Arbolita Point. May 12, 1898. The first expedition With iirmft n siinr.!l. the Cubans wan started from Key West. It landed on the coast under charge of Captain O'Connell. . He retires re-tires in the grade of brigadier-general and is tho fourteenth member of the O'Connell family to gain that rank since the reign of King1 James II. His ancestor.t include General Maurice O'Connell, who was colonel of the king's guards in the war of King James against William, Prince of Orange-Count Orange-Count Charles S. O'Connell. a general In the Irish brigade, and Sir Maurice C. P. O'Connell, who served with the Irish brigade in 1794. and was after-Ward after-Ward colonel of the Tenth wot in 1844. |