The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1890-09-03
FAREWELL TO MILES.
He Takes Leave of His Soldiers
and Is Ready TO Go.
His Report Will Deal With the Question OF
Coast Defenses- General John Gibbon
Succeeds Him.

General John Gibbon, who succeeds Cen
eral Nelson A. Miles as commander Of the
Division OF the Pacific, arrived In TINS city on
Monday, and Yesterday assumed active charge
of the department. He is soldier with
record, thorough gentleman and worthy
successor OF General Miles. Having been
graduated from West Point in July, 1917,
having for his classmates such men as Burn
side, Wilcox Mason, Fry, Ayres, Griffin, A.
z. Hill and Harry Heath, he was at once as
signed as Brevet Second Lieutenant OF the
Third Artillery. He was given his full rank
on September of the same year, and one
year later was advanced to the rank oil FIRST
Lieutenant. On November ., 1859, he was
promott to be Captain in the Fourth Artll-
lery, and on May 2 1862 was made Brlsa-
dier-General of Volunteers. On September
II, 1862, for gallant and meritorious services
in the battle OF Antietam," he was honored
with the title Of Brevet Major, U. S. A. In
appreciation of his services at Fredericksburg
he was appointed Breyet Lieutenant Colonel
U. S. A. His promotions after that were
rapid, and on July 4, 1868, he was raised to
Brevet Colonel. On July I. 1864. he became
Maior-General of Volunteers. On July Is,
1866, he was raised 10 be Colonel OF the
Thirtv-siXth Infantry, and on March -,
1869, was transferred 10 the Seventh United
States Infantry. He was assigned to duty
as Brigadirr-General on July 10, 1885.
Immediately upon assuming command he
issued the following order, which is known
as General Order No. -:
Pursuant TO General Orders No. "a, current
series, from the headquarters OF the army, the
undersigned relieves HaJOr-General Miles IN
command of the Division OF The PacIhc and 10
the imIit diate command OF the Depart mentS OF
California and Arizona. JOHN GIBBoN.
Brgadier- General United States Army.
The following changes were also an
nounced: Second Lieutenant Joln A. Perry,
Tenth Infantry, has been re ieyed from tenl-
lorary duty at headquarters and VIII pro-
coed to join his company at Fort Marcy, NJ
Mex.
First Lieutenant Marion p. Maus, First
Infantry, is announced as ald-de-camp To
Major-Geueral Nelson \. Miles, L. ,. A.
When seen General Gibbon said that no
material changes in policy would be made,
as commanding officers were guided by CIR
tain rules, which, Of necessity, were very
similar IN all cases. No changes OF lmpor-
officers of inferior rank, except TO MI the
places of those connected with General
Miles staff, who would, OF course, accom-
pany HIM to Chicago.
General Miles, who goes to Chicago to as
sumo command of the Department of Mis-
souri, will leave tomorrow night al 9 O'Clock,
going from here to Portland and Seattle,
continuing on his way east by the way OF
the Northern Pacific la taking leave OF
tie soldiers of the Division of the Pacific he
has issued the following farewell order, in
which he also expresses his gratitude to the
people Of the Pacific Coast:
In accordance with the provisions of General
o ders No. As, current series, from Tue mead
quarters OF the army, the undersigned hereby re
huqgishes command OF the DIVISION OF The Paeihc
and of the Department OF California.
In taking leave OF this DIVISION after twenty
wears service west Of the Missouri and nearly
ran van in nHlArLmenfS q
Columbia, Arizona and the Division OF The Pacihc,
he desires 10 express his appreciation OF the zeal
Gus efforts and faithful services OF the troops
which have constituted this command. He reeog,
aiZes The difficulties that have been encountered
and The hai dshlp incident 10 service In the most
remote egOnS OF the United States, ana retneHl-
btrs with gratitude The faithful discharge OF duty
of The troops who have served from the Upper
Yukon in Alaska TO tie 1aqu In old Mexico.
TO the people and press OF the Pdcihc Coast,
who have rendered assistance aud encourage
ment 10 the troops, The undersigned takes THIS
oppOrtunity to express his appreciation aud
gratitude NELSON A. MILES,
MajorGeneral UBiIed States Army.
General Miles was seen last night at his
home on the military reservation. and while
he chatted pleasantly with the representa-
tive of HE CALL, he preferred to say but
little for publication.
"The people of California know how
kindly | feel toward them, and with what
regret leave them in obedience to the COM
mands of my profession, and L do not think
IL necessary at THIS Time 10 auu 10 Wudt
have already said. OF course it is not likely
that shall ever be assigned to duty here
again, and my eave-taking as a soldier in
command is final, perhaps, and for that
reason do not feel that L am prepared TO
speak of it now, but shall always think
kindly of San Francisco and my friends
among her people
How about tie question of coast de-
fenses2 Well, my views on that subject are
fully expressed in my report for 1890, which
will be IN the hands of the public in a very
few days, and do not care TO forestall it by
discussing the subject at present. My Opin-
ions ON that subject are very pronounced,
and have urged upon the Government the
necessity for thorough system of defenseS.
| feel assured, however, that some action
will De taken in the near future, as the
policy of the Government is more liberal OF
late, as evidenced by the large sums which
are being appropriated for the purpose OF
building up IA navy. Our national legisla-
tors are beginning to realize that we are In
sore need of protection from the fleets and
guns Of hostile power, and think that the
natter will be given more attention now,
and in few wears, no doubt, we will be In
a position to hold our own without fear OF
our sao hoard cities baiDp laid waste