Theodore Schwan was born in Germany, July 9, 1841. He received his earlier education in the preparatory schools of his native land, but came to the United States when he was about sixteen years old. He enlisted as a private in the Tenth Infantry on June 12, 1857; and served successfully as corporal, sergeant, first sergeant, and quartermaster-sergeant until October 31, 1863, when he received his commission. He was made a first lieutenant, Tenth Infantry, April 9, 1864; regimental quartermaster in December, 1864; a captain, March 14, 1866; a major, Eleventh Infantry, and assistant adjutant-general, July 6, 1886; a lieutenant-colonel and assistant adjutant-general, February 19, 1897; a colonel and assistant adjutant-general, May 18, 1898. Two weeks before his last promotion in the regular army he was appointed brigadier-general of volunteers, and in accordance with the Act of Congress, approved March 2, 1899, he will retain that rank until July 1, 1901. He was brevetted several times during the War of the Rebellion, and his whole military career, covering a period of forty-two years, is absolutely devoid of blemish. APPENDIX I The following officers received distinguished mention in General Schwan's reports, for service rendered under fire during the campaign in western Puerto Rico:-- Lieutenant-Colonel Burke, Eleventh Infantry. [A] Major Gilbreath, Eleventh Infantry. Captain P.M.B. Travis, Eleventh Infantry. Captain R.W. Hoyt, Eleventh Infantry. Captain A.L. Myer, Eleventh Infantry. Captain Penrose, Eleventh Infantry. Captain Macomb, Fifth Cavalry. Acting Assistant Surgeon Savage. Lieutenant Odon Gurvoits, Eleventh Infantry. Lieutenant T.F. Maginnis, Eleventh Infantry. Lieutenant Alexander, Eleventh Infantry. Lieutenant Wells, Eleventh Infantry. Lieutenant W.S. Valentine, Fifth Cavalry. Lieutenant Rogers F. Gardner, Third Artillery. [Footnote A: Died of apoplexy on August 22, 1898, while in camp near Las Marias.] In addition to those named above, special and valuable efficiency was displayed by Major E.A. Root, engineer; Major H.H. Benham, ordnance; Major Egan, brigade-surgeon; Captain Buchanan, Collector-of-the-Port at Mayaguez; Captain Davison, brigade-quartermaster; Captain Hutcheson, assistant adjutant-general; and Captain Elkins,[A] Lieutenant Byron, and Lieutenant Summerlin, aides-de-camp. [Footnote A: Wounded at battle of Hormigueros.] II In connection with the present writer's expressed opinion regarding the relative practical value of regulars and volunteers in modern warfare, the following excerpt from the Chicago _Record_ of November 3, 1898, is worth reading.