The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1883-11-03
WASHINGTON.

General Shermam's Movements.
WASHINGTON, Nov. General Sherman
has completed the settlement of official matters
incident to his retirement from the command
of the army, and will leave this afternoon for
Philadelphia to visit his daughter a few days.
He will then go to New York, where he will
also make short stay before proceeding to his
old home in st. Louis He will be accompa-
MED by his aids Colonels Bacon and Tourlette,
who will remain with him until his retire.
ment.
Gold Medals TO Humane shipmasters.
The President has, through the Department
ofState, presented handsome gold medal to
Captain Kilgallon of the British bark Eury-
dice, in recognition of his humanity in rescu-
ing two American seamen of the schooner
Wildfire adrift at sea July 8th, 1888. He has
also presented similar medal to Captain Bon
signor of the Italian bark Stella B., for pick
ing up four seamen of the American ship
Matchless, adrift at sea July II, 1888.
Commander vYilds Criticized.
The Secretary of the Navy to-day, addressed
a letter to Commander Frank Wilds, COM
manding the Yantic, on the subject of the re-
cent Greely Relief Expedition in which he
says: In the present aspect of the case the de-
partment condemns the agreement enclosed in
your letter of June 25th, between Lieut.. Gar
lington and yourself, contemplating the sepa-
ration of the Yantic and Proteus until August
25th. Your failure to accompany the Proteus
"
your unnecessary visit to UpernaVk on July
25th to inquire Of the Danish author
tiles how the ice was probably
moving between yourself and the Prote-
us. six days of your delay at which
point would have brought you to Littleton ISL
and before the party of the Proteus went
south, and your failUre when you found at
Littleton Island that the demoralized party of
the Proteus had EgoDe south in search of the
Swedish steamer Sofia at Cape York, to land
Il, 1o1,t
food for the forgotten Greeley party. What
action, il any, will be taken by the department
is not yet determined.
Adjutant General Drnni's Report.
Adiutant General Drum, in his annual re-
port, comments on the improvement in disci-
pline and soldierly bearing OF the militia of
different States, sscribing it to their excellent
character and the close relation between them
and the regular army. He recommends that
in addition TO competitive drills at State
camps, competition should be had in the other
duties of the soldier, SO as to show which are
the best troops, rather than simply the best
drilled. He recommends that army officers be
detailed as professors of military science at
only such colleges which have in attendance
$50 male pupils over Is years old. He recon-
mends that d law be passed authorizing the
retirement of soldiers who have rendered not
less than 35 years of honorable service on the
full pay OF the grade held at retirement To
check desertion in the army, he recommends
that the term of enlistment be reduced to
three years. He says that although every eff
fort has BEEN made to obtain sufficient men to
bring the army up to its authorized strength,
yet the total strength on June 80, 1883, was on
ly %, ,S21; 2, ,149 less than the authorized nnnl-
Der.
Miscellaneous.
In accordance with the Presidents order,
General Augur yesterday. relinquished ccm-
mand OF the department of Texas. He is sue
ceeded by General Mckenzie.
The annual report of the paymaster general
of the army shows thaat the receipts for the
year amounted to SIS, ,490,3 $40 and the dis
bursements ST., ,382 164.
The testimony in the Kilbourn case Friday
was unimportant. Court adjourned until
Monday when the arguments will be heard.
Secretary Chandler will accompany the o.
S. steamship Trenton on her trial trip from
New York to Newport and will be absent from
the city ten days as he proposes to visit his fam
lily in New Hampshire before his return