Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-11-08

general of volunteers in September, 1861,
and major general of volunteers in 1862. He
served in the field continuously during the
war, and was engaged in thirty-five COM
bats and actions, and many skirmishes. At
Fair Oaks, Virginia, he lost his right arm.
For distinguished bravery in this action he
has received medal Of honor. The
thanks of Congress were rendered to him
for skill and heroic valor at Gettysburg. He
became corps commander In 1863, and was
assigned to the command Of the Army of
the Tennessee in 1864. In the campaign of
1854 he was again wounded. He was ap-
pointed from the volunteers a brigadier gen.
eral in the permanent establishment in
1864, and was promoted to major general In
1856. He received the brevet of major gen.
eral for gallant and meritorious services
in the battle of Ezra Church, and during the
campaign against Atlanta, Georgia" While
commander of the department of the Co.
lumbia he led the troops in person, in 1877
i'm a campaign against the Nez Perces In
dians, and in 1878 against the Bannocks
and Putes. He was, later, superintendent
of the United States Military Academy at
mander of the department of the Platte of
the division of the Pacific and of the di-
vision of the Atlantic. He retires from
active service as commander Of the depart
ment of the east.
Maj. Gen. Howard's long, varied and dis
tinguished career has been characterized by
marked ability In the command Of troops
and great gallantry in action; by unselfish
ana DTOau lie mas
deserved the gratitude of his countrymen
and the rest provided by law after the
close Of long and faithful military service
I'D. S. LAMONT,
Secretary Of War"
Changes to Follow.
Gen. Howard was the second ranking
officer in the army, and his retirement
will result in important and numerous
changes in the service. First and foremost
comes the appointment of a major general
Although not confined to the army for this
appointment 1t is extremely improbable
that the President will go outside of it ip
this case. In usually well-informed army
circles the impression Is general that the
appointment lies between Gen. Thomas H.
Ruger, the senior brigadier general, COM
manding the department Of California, and
Gen. Alex. McD. McCook, commanding the
department of Colorado, who stands No. 4
on the list. The latter will retire in a few
months and this will be probably his last
chance of promotion. Gen. Wesley Merritt,
commanding department of Dakota, who is
No. 2 in his grade, Is also thought to have
a chance of appointment. The selection of
either one of the above named officers will
result in promotions all along the line. The
officers most frequently mentioned as most
likely to receive the appointment OF briga-
der general are Col. VIM. X. Shafter, first
infantry; Col. James w. Forsyth, seventh
cavalry and Col. II. r. Bliss, twenty fourth
infantry.
1t is said that both of these appointments
will be announced this afternoon, soon after
Secretary Lamont returns from New York.
He Is expected to reach here at o'clock.
This would seem to indicate that the Presi-
dent has decided on his selection in each
ca Sc and defers the announcement only be-
cause of the absence Of the Secretary of
War.
The retirement of Gen. Howard also in
wolves changes in the command of military
departments. He will be succeeded in COM
mand Of the department of the east, with
headquarters at New York. by Gen. N. A.
Miles, now commanding the department of
the Missouri, with headquarters at Chicago,
and the brigadier general who receives the
promotion to major general will succeed
Gen. Miles in that command. There will be
more shifting of commands, but 1t will de-
pend altogether on who gets that promotion
Gen. HONvard's Future.
General Howlrd's house in New York has
been dismantled, and he and Mrs. Howard
are living with their son at No. 10
Madison avenue. He will remain in New
York for a few weeks, and then he and
Mrs. Howard will go to visit their eldest
daughter. Mrs. James T. Gray in Portland
Greg He has taken a home in Burlington
VT. near Fort Ethan Allen WHARF his