New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-09-29
GENERAL MILES CHOSEN.
THE NEW HEAD OF THE AKIN Y.
HE ACKNOWLEDGES THAT HE HAS BEEN
INFORMED BY THE PRESIDENT.

GENERAL sCHOFIELD. THE rHHSSNi """
MANpER. REr1REs ro-DAY-ExPIRAT1oN OF
THE GRADE OF LIEUTENANT-GENERAl"
UNLESS REVIVED FOR THE NEW GEN
ERAI, COMMUNICATIVE RUGER Sue
cEEp MILES AS CHIEF OF THE
DEPARTMENT OF THE EAsT7
Major General Nelson A. Miles 1t was definitely
learned last night. has been formally told by
President Cleveland that he has been chosen as
the successor to General Schoield in the command
of the United States Army.
General Schofed's term OF office expires at noon
to-day. and for some time past speculation mas
been rife about who the new commander would be-
General Miles. by reason Of his seniority, was
generally regarded the most probable new
head Of the Army. although In many quarters 1t
was asserted that there was great Likelihood or
the President promoting General Ruger or Cen
eral Merritt but the appointment OF General
Miles sets the question finally at rest.
The selection Is one that is generally looked
upon as cmnently fitting in every way. particu-
larry as with one exception, the custom OF ap-
pointing the senior General to the command OF
the Army has been maintained since Its or
ganizaton in 1883.
EXPIRATION OF THE RANK.
With General Schofelds retirement the rank
Of Lieutensn General expires. 1t has been be-
slowed only upon six generals In the Army, the
other 1--WE being Washington. Scott Grant. Sher-
man and Sheridan. In military circles the point
az to whether General Miles In the event OF MS
promotion would be similarly designated lieuten-
ant-general has been a subject Of frequent dis
cussion. The rank OF Lieutenant general was
first bestowed upon General Washington. and
next upon Scott. afterward 1t was given TO
Grant. who was later made full general. When
Grant was made President, Sherman. who had
been appointed lieutenant-general, was made
general in command. Sheridan was also lieuten-
ant-general succeeding Sherman In the rank, and
was made general short time before he died.
The grade Of lleutenant-general was bestowed
by the last Congress upon General Schofeld. with
the understanding however. that 1t would expire
with him. II General Miles is to have the same
distinction conferred upon him II can be only by
special act Of Congress.
ACKNOWLEDGED BY GENERAL MILES
General Miles was seen last night by Tribune
reporter, and replying to an inquiry. said that he
had been officially informed by the President OF
his appointment to the supreme command OF the
Army.
Was the intlmation forwarded to you directly
by the PRESIDENT" the General was asked.
Yes"
May ask when you received the communi-
cation?"
Il wish to be excused from answering that
question: It is immaterial anyway"
when will you take up the duties OF your
new positicn?'
well, General Schofed rellnquishes the post
at midday tomorrow. and in formal sense
take up the command Of the Army from then
But II will take day two for me to get
ready to take over the practical duties OF the
post"
"Wi you remove at once 10 Washington
Yes shall transfer myself there with as little
delay as possible But there are little details con-
nected with my command here that 1t will be
necessary for me to complete before 60 but
these shall finish as rapidly as possible"
do you contemplate any reforms or changes In
the Army or in Its administration as Its COM
mander?" was asked of General Miles.
THAT I could not possibly talk about now.
Any views may have in that direction should.
of course communicate to a higher authority be-
fore speaking Of them publicly
HIS SUCCESSOR IN THE EAST.
General Miles was also asked who was likely to
succeed MIN In the command Of the Department
OF the East but he evaded any direct reply by
smilingy shaking his head. When General Ru-
gers name was suggested to him, General Miles's
manner led to the inference that General Ruger
would be the selection
"Tave you any idea as to when your present
command will be flled?'
Not FOR two three weeks yet should say
General Miles had been spending yesterday
and the preceding day at Oyster Bay, and had
been an Interested spectator OF the races be-
tween the yachts Ethelwynn and Spruce Nv
on those days He spoke OF the contest and liz
result with considerable animation. and ex-
pressed himself extremely well pleased with
the victory Of the American boat. THE poor
Britishers are all out OF the hunt this year"
said the General In a pronounced tone OF com
miseration I'VE have beaten them on land and
water and II remains only for us TO win the
Yale-Cambridge meeting. and then we can go
into winter quarters we'll satisfied with our "f-
forts These continued victories Of Americans
give me greater feeling OF pleasure and graft
ication than can well express 1t all goes to
show how progressive and clever are the peo-
pie who compose the American Nation"
Like General Winfield Scott. the new chief OF
the Army Is not a graduate OF the United states
Naval Academy at West Point. II Is curious
fact also that previous to the war the Army was
at no time commanded by West Pointer. not
withstanding the fact that the Military Academy
founded in 1908.
THE GENERALS CAREER.
General Miles was born at Westminster, Mass.
on August s. 1899. and in 1861 he Joined the 22d
Massachusetts Volunteers. with the rank Of lieu
tenant He distinguished himself early In his
career in the Army Of the Potomac. and took part
in every engagement except one up tc Lees sur
render at Appomattox. General Miles distin-
guished himself In particular at Spottsylvanla.
Attacking the bloody angle the right he
broke the enemys line. routed him and captured
Lieutenant General Bushrod Johnson and his d.
vision.