The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1888-06-20

The bill to revive the grade Of General fol
the benefit Of Lieutenant-Gen Sheridan
came up in the House Friday Immediately
after the morning hour, and after c1logistie
speeches from Messrs. Kelley, Cox and
Breckinridge, it was passed by a viva-voce
vote The bill was enrolled and hurried
| to President Cleveland for his signature. AT
ten minutes past two the President signed
| the measure, and at twenty-five minutes tc
three the Senate confirmed the appointment
of Lieutenant General Sheridan to be General
Of the United States Army.
Five minutes after the President had handed
them the commission, Senators Hawley and
Manderson, who had hurried to the Whlte
House Immediately on the nomination being
confirmed, were in the drawing room Of the
Sheridan home. Mrs. Sheridan was summoned
and soon appeared. Senator Hawley handed
her the commission with few appropriate
words Mrs. Sheridan told the Senators that
she thanked them and all others who had as
sisted in conferring this great honor on her
husband. -.
IF anything can cure him this will" she
said early this morning he seemed greatly
pleased when he learned Of the efforts that
were being made. will show him the com
mission as soon as he Wakes
General Sheridan woke few minutes after
8. His wife told him the news and the sick
man seemed greatly pleased.
"That's the best tonic I've had In q week,
he said.
Chief Clerk Tweedle. Of the War Depart.
ment, was sent for and soon arrived. The
members of the generals staff who were In
the house were summoned to the sick room,
and the formal oath was administered to the
stricken soldier by Mr.. Tweedale. While
waiting for him letter Of thanks to the Presi.
dent, at the Generals request, was prepared,
and few moments later he affixed his sigma
ture to the letter, his first attempt at writing
since he was taken sick.
After taking the oath General Sheridan
now General Of the United States Army
signed the necessary official papers, and imme-
diately announced his staff to be the same OIL
GERS who had served him as Lieutenant Cen
eral This appointment gives to each Of them
order as General, which was q notification to
the army Of the appointment OF his staff.
Sympathetic and loW-voiced congratulations
were rendered to General Sheridan by those
present during the simple ceremonies.
The bill reviving the rank Of General OF
the Army reads as follows:
Be it enacted, &C., That the grade OF
Lieutenant General Of the Army Is hereby
discontinued, and is merged In the grade
OF General OF the Army OF the Onlteo States,
which grade shall continue dur
ing the lifetime of the present
Lieutenant General, after which such grade
shall cease; and the President Of the United
States is hereby authorized to appoint, with
the advice and consent Of the Senate, q
General Of tho Army Of the United States
Sec. O. That the pay and allowances OF
the general be the same as heretofore al
lowed for that grade.
General Sheridan signed the following
formal acceptance of his commission:
HEADQUARTERS Army UNITED STATES, |
WASHINGTON, June l, 1888.
The Hon. Secretary of War:
SIR: have the honor to acknowledge tho
receipt Of nv commission o. General off the
Army, to which position the President has
to-day appointed ma I hereby accept the
same.
P. H SHERIDAN, General
The signature was written with pencil In
. large and perfectly legible hand.