Lamont for duty in the adjutant-general's department. He was ordered to duty in the war department, and a large share of the work incident to army organization, during and after the war with Spain, fell to his care, particularly in the matter of shaping army legislation. He was one of the original members of the War College board, and during the absence of the adjutant-general he was ordered as a brigadier-general of the line to act as adjutant-general, the only instance of the kind on record. He was appointed brigadier-general by President Roosevelt, being the first officer out of nearly four thousand who entered the service after the Civil war, to pass through all the grades from second lieutenant to general officer.
His reading is largely biographical, and he chooses the lives of those "who have won their way to the simple but constant life, of those who have done things." Shooting, fishing and horseback riding are his favorite relaxations. From boyhood he wanted to be a cavalry officer. He was assigned to that employment and worked hard to fit himself for it. Home, study, contact with able men, he accounts as strong influences in his life. He started out determined to fit himself for whatever work opportunity brought him, and his advice to young people is to cultivate "a simple, sincere life, working hard to do things. Be upright, square in all things. Methodical, consistent effort wins." He is the author of several books and of many magazine articles.
He married Miss Ida Dawley, October 27, 1880. They have two sons. His address is the War Department, Washington, District of Columbia.
