The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1894-10-17
PRAISE FOR TROOPS
ANNUAL REPORT OF MAI. GEN. MEL
sON A. NILES.
His Remarks on the Conduct OF Sol
diers During h Debs Strike
The New Magazine Rifle.

WASHINGTON, Oct. 1.-THE annual re-
port OF Major General Nelson A Miles.
commanding the Department Of the Mis-
souri. showing the conduct of affairs in that
department. is a remarkably short docu-
ment. considering the stormy period of in
ternal strife covered by IL. But, notwith-
standing its brevity, IL contains some very
terse and significant statements relative to
the strike. The report begins with the
statement that there have been no changes
OF troops in the department during the year,
and continues as follows: "As In previous
years. the troops in the Indian and Oklaho-
ma Territories have been occupied during
much Of their time in removing the res
passers from the public lands. in preserving
order In the newly-settled region, and In
keeping the peace between hostile factions
OF the anti-civilized Indian tribes. In addi-
ton 10 removing and expelling intruders
in the Choctaw nation and from the Usage
and Kaw Indian reservations, the troops
stationed at Forts Sill, Reno and Supply
were called on for the purpose of protecting
United States mails, guarding railroad
bridges and supporting the United States
marshal in making arrests. All Of these
difficult duties have been performed in a
manner which shows good Judgment and
discretion on the part of the officers. and
a good state of discipline and faithful serv-
Ice on the part of the troops, and 1t is be-
lieved that but for their prompt 4interven-
ton much bloodshed would ave resulted.
The troops having quickly and efficiently
accomplished the arduous duties assigned
TO them, have been withdrawn from the
field and returned to their respective sta
tions."
The report states in detail the companies
and troops of regulars that were concen-
trated in Chicago "by the orders of the
President of the United States to execute
the orders and processes of the United
States Court, to prevent the obstruction Of
the United States mails and generally to
enforce the faithful execution of the laws
of the United States" General Miles then
continues In the following strain: 1.-THE
conduct of the troops in restoring order
and confidence where mob violence and a
reign of terror existed in Chicago was
marked by great forbearance, fortitude and
excellent discipline, and their presence and
action here very greatly contributed TO the
caaintenance of civil law, and in my opinion
raved this country from a serious rebellion,
vhea one had been publicly declared TO ex-
ence." The remainder of the report is
very formal and is confined TO a recital
of the subsequent withdrawal of the troops,
their m~aneuvers in sham battle and some
complimentary remarks upon their efti-
cheney.
An appendix to the report is contributed
by Capt. j.. NJ. Lee, Ninth Infantry, assist
ant to the inspector-general, in the shape
of a brief history of the strike movement
at Chicago. The officer states that he hopes
to be able TO make a more comprehensive
report later on, covering as fully as pos
sible the operations of the United States
: troops in this storm center of violence. dis
order and arson, which at times threatened
the overthrow Of all law and government
In this short report Captain Lee says.
Throughout all these perilous times il is
gratifying to state that the conduct, disci-
pline and efficiency of the troops were
SO pronounced that even their presence
overawed the turbulent and lawless and
won from every reputable, lawabiding citi-
Zen, whether laboring man or capitalist
and every newspaper without exception
the highest encomiumS and the warmest
expressions of gratitude from all who were
not In sympathy with anarchy. arson and
pillage- Where all did SO well it is but
Justice to say that a very large share OF
the difficult, delicate and dangerous duty
fell TO the lot of the Fifteenth Infantry.
and the patience, energy and fearleSsneSa
with which that regiment performed its
onerous task Is an addition to it's splen-
did record. of which any regiment might
well feel proud. This regiment, In the past
two years, has been subject to undeserved
abuse by some of the Chicago papers, but
now that it has contributed so largely tC
saving this great city from arson and pill.
lage, now that the regiment has so success
fully passed through the crucial test In
presence OF Its whilom detractors, its high