Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1883-11-01
"OLD TECUMSEH.'
A Single Stroke of the Pen and Hs
No longer Commands
The Armies Of the United States but Gives
Way 10 His Successor, General Phil
Sheridan-HOw the Thing
Was Done.

WAsHiNUroN, October Sl.-The CORES
pondence incident to the retirement Of
General Sherman from the active c)m'
mand of the army is as follows:
HEAUQU'Rs ARMY OF UNITED STATES,
WASHINGTON, OctoberS.
To the Hpu RoI,c, Lincoln, Secretary Of Var:
SIR-By act OF Congress, approved July
), 1882, all army officers are retired on
reaching the age OF Ga years, if living. |
will attain that age the Sth of February,
1884, but as that period Of the year is not
suited to the changes necessary on my re-
tirement, have long con ntemplated
Anticipating the Event
by some modths 10 enable the President to
make these changes at more convenient
season Of the year, and also 10 enable my
successor 10 be in Office before the assem-.
bling of the next Congress. | therefore
request authority to turn over the com
mard OF the army 10 Lieutenant General
Sut riGan on the lst of November, lSS2,
aid that be ordered to my home a. s..
Louis, there to await the date of my legal
rttiGement; AMI inasmuCh as will nave
for IDng time much correspondence ABOUT
War anG official Matters.
| also ask the frvoC 10 have with me for a
time two personal aids de camp, Colonels
John F. Tnurtelotte and John NJ. Bacon.
O,hers of NY personal staff, viz, Colonies
o. N. Poe and J. c. Tiedoall, have already
Oeen assigned appropriate duties III their
,wn branches Of the military service. All
should retain their rank and pay as aide.
de cnmp until February 8, 1881. By or be.
rnre the lst o! November can CoprpIote
al the official reports, and | believe | can
SURE nder the army to my successor IN
Good Shape and Condition.
we'll provided in all respects and distrib.
ted for the best interests OF the country.
sm grateful. My physical and mental
strength remains unimpaired by years and
/ am thankful for the liberal provision
made by Congress for my declining years.
which will enable me to respond promptly
10 aI.v call the President may make for my
military service or judgment az long rs
live. have the hon' to be your Obedent
servant. w. I. SHERMAN, General.
WAR DEPARTMENT,
WASHINGTON, October 10.
General w. 7. Sherman, Washington, d. c.:
GESERAL-I have
Submitted to the President
your letter of the Sth inst, requesting you
on the lst Of November next, as a more
convenient time for making the changes
n the military commands which must fol-
ow your retirement from active service
'ban would be the date OF your retirement
under the law. In signifying his approya
OF Your request, the President directs m =
10 express TO you his earnest hope thai
there may be given you yet many years OF
health and happiness, in which to enjoy
the gratitude of your fellow citizens, well
earned by your most
DiNtiagnished Poblic Services.
1t will give me pleasure TO comply with
your wishes respecting your aides ,de.csmp
and necessary orders will be duly issued.
have the honor, General, To be your most
obPdient servant.
Signed RonERr T. I.INcGEH,
Secretary OF Var.
Lieut.. Gen. Sheridan. accompanied by
Col NJ. y. Shpridsn. his Military Secretary,
md Liert. Col. J. +. Gregory, aide de camp
srrived iu Washington this morning from
Chicago. Lieut.. Col. W. J. EOlkmsn, aide
de Csnr, arrived last evening. Gen. Sheri-
dan srd party
Visited the War Department
about noon. snd paid their respects to Sec
reiary Lincoln, General Sherman, and
Adiuiant General Drum.
The transfer of the command OF the army
from Gen. Sherman to Lieutenant General
Sht ridsn will be made tomorrow morning.
There will be no formal ceremonies on the
occasion of the change. Gen. Sherman is
at present the guest of Major Lydecker. u.
s A, Engineer Commissioner of the Dis
trict, and will remain with him until
His New Residence
is ready for occupancy. Col. Mike Sheri.
dan is the guest OF General MacFeely, I, S.
A