Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1880-04-10
GEN. NELSON A. MILES,

His Arrival In the City-Speculations as to
Why He Is Ordered to Washington-Ne
Likelihood of q General India War.
AS previously surmised in the GLOBE, Gen
eral Nelson A. Miles, the great Indian fighter
arrived here yesterday morning.
sPECULATIoNs ABOUT THE ORDER.
As is known, the general has been ordered to
report to the secretary of war, and no little
curiosity is manifested to ascertain the where
fore of the order, unusual in this respect. that
General Miles was ordered to turn over his
command. This wording of the order has
awakened grave apprehensions on the frontier
that the authorities intended to transfer the
general to some new field of service. While
this recognition of General Miles arduous and
eminently successful services and operations
against the Indians of Montana, may be lust
enough, it would be the moment for serious
regret to all the settlers in Montana, to whom
the general has afforded protection such as was
never given by the military on the frontie
This speculation in regard to the purport and
purpose of the order has caused uneasiness on
the frontier, and has given rise to speculation
in army circles.
1t is limited that Gen. Miles is to supercede
Gen. O. o. Howard in command of the depart
ment of Columbia on the Pacific coast. Friends
of the general are gratifed at such a
conception, as it would promote Gen.
Miles from a colOnelcy to a brigadier
general by the forced retirement of Gen. How
ard. Again it is believed that the circumstances
point toward the retirement of Gen. M. @.
Meigs and the elevation of Gen. Miles to the
position of quartermaster general of the army.
While promotion has been won by Gen. Miles,
his friends would be reluctant to see him retire
to office work as required by the duties of the
@. M. department, and thus deprive the army
and country of the active and jealous services
of a sterling soldier. However, all these re-
marks are but the repetition of military specu-
lations.
HIS MOVEMENTS IN THIS CITY.
Gen. Miles on arriving here at once repaired
to military headquarters. There he was
in consultation with Gen. Terry for
over an hour. On coming out
of Gen. Terrys Office, Gen. Tompkins, the
chief quartermaster, and he had quite con-
ference. Here Gen. Miles was given quite q
levee, the headquarters being all astir with in
quiries for him, and with officers seeking to
see him, etc.
At this juncture the GLOBE got hold of the
general. Taking the cue from many coming
in, who after salutations had passed, said: II
have question to ask YOU" the GLOBE repre-
had dozen questions to ask.
"Put 'em quick" said the general "for am
in great hurry, must catch the 1885 o'clock
train on the Chicago. Milwaukee & st. Paul
road. -
Thus admonished the GLOBE fred away, and
kept up the fusilade while the general walked
to the Merchants hotel. The result of the in
terrogatory go-as-you-please walk down Third
street may be summarized as follows:
Gen Miles 6Oeep't kuou hu he hoe haaY
ordered to Washington. And when any of the
above probabilities or ooniectures were sug-
gested, the general had no idea, or kept what
he thought to himself-'T expect" said he,
ito be gone for two or three weeks only"
He thought likely the whole business had
only reference to the present Eruption Of
Indians across the border. The govern
ment Is in somewhat of a
quandary as to how to treat these Indians, as
wards" or aliens, having been so nearly &C
cepted by the Dominion authorities as British
subjects. As his acquaintance and Intercourse
with the border people was intimate, from
sundry expeditions and being near at hand,
probably his word in regard to the business
might be wanted. At any rate, beyond this
the general had no conjecture to hazard about
his blind order ''to turn over his command and
report to the secretary of war;"
THE LIKELIHOOD OF AN INDIAN WAR.
what is the status of Indian affairs in your
locality?"
"LatelY we have been treated to numerous
raids by small parties, but they have been 80
worsted that they will discontinue such preda-
tory expeditions
"Are these Indians from across the line?"
''Oh yes, from Sitting Bulls camp, as all the
captives say"
SIT has been rumored that the white authori-
bp Iina q thana do hot
do you say co that?"
80 some of the captives have said, or at
least have said that they got permission from
the white chief meaning Major Walsh of the
mounted police. :! presume, to raid on the
Grows for ponies"
'"The Crows are friendly as American In
dians, aren't they?"
''Yes.'
"How will this complicate matters, if true?"
''That's to be seen and considered with the
allen question of the subject"
do you apprehend any extended Indian war
during the coming SUMMER"
''No.sI do not, but we will be subject to raids
from small parties until such a time as our
government can cause the Dominion authorities
to remove these hostile Indians well back from
the frontier line"
raiding parties were concerned, they would in
great measure be restrained by the disposition
of troops in camps during the summer, and
would also be prevented by the establishment
of the new post, which the secretary of war
had recommended, and contemplated having it
located on Milk river near the line.
In this connection, the General looked upon
the new post as a necessity, and is provided
with elaborate plans for the new post, prepared
from his own observations as to the require
ments of frontier post, and which he intends
submitting for approval.
In the great hurry of his movements, the
above information was jerked out 1T intervals,
now and then to be interrupted by such re-
marks as, 1--WE are ahead of you in Montana,
the spring is much advanced beyond what
have seen in Minnesota. The Yellowstone
valley is fresh with grass and budding trees"
At 1885 o'clock the General left for Chicago.
He was accompanied to the depot by Gen. j.
N. G. Whistler, Capt. Michaelis and other
friends.
Died of Old Age.
Major Victor Hjortsberg of the secretary of