Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1883-10-31
CHANGE OF COMMANDER.
General Sherman's Retirement.

THE OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE.
The correspondence incident to the retirement OF
Gen. Sherman from active command Of the army Is
as follows:
HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE UNITED STATES.
WASHINGTON. D. c., October 8, 1888.
Hon Robert r. Lincoln, Secretary OF Wd,--Sr:
By the act OF Congress approved July 5, 1882, all
army officers retired reaching the age of 6i
years If living, | will attain that age on the Sth
day OF February 1884, but as that period of the year
is notsuited to the changes necessary on nv retire
ment, have long contemplated anticipating the
event by some months to enable the President to
make these changes at a more convenient season OF
the year. and also to enable my successor to be in
office before the assembling OF the next Congress.
I therefore request authority to turn over the
command of the army to Lieut.; Gen. Sheridan, on
the first day of November, 1885, and that be or
dered to my home at st. Louis, Mo-, there to await
the date of my legal retirement, and inasmuch as
Will have for long time much correspondence
about and official matters, also ask the favor
to have with me for a time my two personal aides
de camp, Coils John E. Tourtelotte and John NJ.
O. NJ Poe and G. r T1dba m have already % be- been mas as
signed to appropriate duties I'm their branches
OF the military service, the engineer and artillery
All should retain their rank and pay as aides de
camp until February 8, 1884.
By or before the 1st OF November can COM
plete all official reports, and believe can sur
render the army to my successor in good shane and
condition, well provided I'm all respects and distrib-
uted for the best interests Of the country. am
gf that my and mental strength
the liberal provision made by Congress for my de-
clinlng years. which will enable me to respond
promptly to any call the President may make for
have the honor to be. your obedent servant,
(Slgned w. L. SHERMAN, General.
WAR DEPARTMENT.,
WASHINGTON CITY, October TO- 1883,
Gen. ". z Sherman, WGshingtof, d. C.:
General: have submitted to the President your
letter Of the Sth instant requesting that you be
relieved of the command Of the army on the 1st
time for making the changes in in mill mill
fOvvy nln>,
retirement from active service than would be
the date of your retirement under the law. In Sig
nIylng his approval OF your request the President
directs me to express to you his earnest hope that
there may be given you yet many years OF health
and happiness in which to enjoy the gratitude OF
your fellow-ctizens well earned by your most dis
1t VIII give me pleasure to comply with your
wishes respecting your aidesde camp, and the ne
I have the honor to be, general, your most obe-
dent servant, (signed0 ROBERT T. LINCOLN,
secretary OF War.
Arrival Of Gen. Sheridan.
Lieut.. General Sheridan, accompanied by Lieut..
Colonel NJ. v. Sheridan, military secretary, and
Lieut. Col. j. F. Gregory, aide-de-camp, arrived In
Washington this morning from Chicago. General
Rucker, the fatherin-law of Gen. Sheridan, and
Mrs Major Lydecker, met them at the depot. Mrs.
Sheridan stopped of at Harrisburg.
Lieut.. Col. W. j. Vonlkma, the other staff officer
arrived here last night. Two clerks, D. O. brennan
and Douglass Lock, and a messenger, have also ar
~, lluiu CulcaBo. VINO VIII De On duty In Gen.
Sheridan is the temporary guest OF Commissioner
Lydecker, and Col Sheridan is the guest of Com
miSSary General Macfeely. The other officers are
stopping at the Ebbitt All of these officers visited
the War department this morning. General Sher-
lQat nfSt paid his respects to General Sherman then
the Secretary or War and afterwards called upon
the adJutant general. The transfer OF the COM
lnand OF the army does not take place until to-
morrow, so, OF course, there was no action regard
Ing the matter taken to-day.
THE INCOMING AND OUTGOING OFFICERS
sat about the quarters OF the general of the army
for some time in friendly conversation this morn
Ing. AS stated In yesterdays STAR the important
military change Will be effected to-mur-
row morning by two short ORDERS one
issued by General Sherman reinquishing
command OF the army followed by one issued by
General Sheridan assuming it. General Sherman
Will leave Washington in few days. but will make
Louis He has rented his house In this city to Gen
Slocum, OF New York.