Tombstone epitaph., 1888-03-17
GEN. NELSON A. MILES.
Some Facts About the Great Indian Fighter How He Became the Youngest General in the Civil War-His Servi-
 ces to the Union
 Cause.
Special Correspondence of the Ws.ld.

Special Correspondence of the Weld.
 The misrePresentations periodically thrown out from Washington regarding ten. Nelson A. Miles are evidently for purpose. Illustrating this is the re- cent report telegraphed over the country that great indignation was felt in army circles at Washington over the fact that the congressional delegations of the Pacific coast, democratic and republican alke, had recommended Gen. Miles for the prospective vacancy in the grade of Major. General m case Gen. Terry should be placed on the retired list of the army, and asserting that Gen. Miles promotion heretofore had been due to the influence of the Sherman and Cam eron families. The truth is, when but a mere boy Nelson A. Miles volunteered his services at Boston for the Union army. The Governor of his state con- sidered him too young and inexperienc- ed to be entrusted with captains com mission, and the one that had been awarded him was revoked, and he was appoined a first lieutenant of his company. In that subaltern position he went to war, where the merits and demerits of men are fairly tested.
 In the great battles under Mcclellan before Richmond Lieut.. Miles was rec. commended for field officers position, and Gov. Morgan, of New York, made him lieutenant-colonel. Gov. Sey- mour afterwards made him full colonel of the Sixty.6rst New York Volunteers and recommended his promotion to the grade of brigadier general. On the earnest recommendation of Gems. Han. cock. Barlow, Meade and Grant, he was made brigadier- general and major general. and at the age of twenty-five, held the largest and most responsible command of any man of his years on this continent Tn that or any other war. In the reorganization of the army after the war closed, on the recommendation of Gems. Humphrys, Hancock, Meade and Grant, Gen. Miles was made full colonel, and Meade expressed desire that he be made. a gadier-general in the regular army.
 All these positions of trust, responsi. bility and rank he had obtained before he had ever met single member of either the Cameron or the Sherman fam. lily. Since that time he has rendered 2o years service, which is familiar to every one, and has received but one promotion, to the grade of brigadier- general, which occurred during President Hayes admin istralion, after his very successful cam paign against the Sioux and Nez Perces, and it was made on the highest military recommendation.
 The friends of Gen Miles respect the record of Gen. Terry and sincerely sym. pathize with him in his ill health, and the fact that they exercised their right to recommend Gen. Miles for promo ton to the place which was generally reported would soon be vacated by Gen. Terry's voluntary retirement, could not be construed as either indelicate or pre- mature.
 It is the customin military life to do that very thing, and there are thousands of communications in the war depart ment recommending off .rs of the army to not only existing vacancies, but for the prospective ones as well, and indeed for any that may occur. The action of the Pacific coast delegations was for the best interest of the great states and terri tories which they represent, and in behalf of an officer who has been closely inden. ,l6ed with the progress of that part of our country.