Evening journal., 1895-09-30
GEN. MILES APPOINTED
He Succeeds General Schoheld
In Command of the Army.
FOUGHT HIS WAY FROM THE RANKS

pointment-He WIN Soon Leave Govern
ors Island For Washington.
NEW YORK, Sept. 30-There is now no
longer any doubt that Major General Nell
son A. Miles is to succeed Lieutenant
General Scholeld In Office as general
I'm command Of the United States ar
my. General Miles made "A statement Of
the fact 20 a reporter, saying that he was
informed Of President Cleveland's s deter
mination to appoint him on Friday last
by Secretary of War Lamont whom he
met in this city by special appointment at
the Metropolitan club
General Schoneld retired from active
service mt noon Sunday, and IL is probable
that the appointment Of General Miles
will be announced tonight or in the very
near future. The general will go to Wash
ington I'm few days TO assume the duties
Of his high position.
This announcement will set nc rest the
rumors which have agitated army circles
during the past year concerning General
SchOilod's probable successor While Con
oral Miles was the senior major general Of
the army and one OF the most popular per-
sonally with his subordinates, it was re-
ported that he was for some reason per-
soma non grata to the president, and that
the fact that he had no diploma from West
Point might weigh against his chances.
General Ruger was the principal rival
for the appointment mentioned. There
was also an impression i'm somc quarters
that tho Office of general of the army
might be left vacant for some time, as
there is no requirement. of law for such a
position and as there are precedents for
leaving it untitled. Only once since the
army was organized, in 1889, however,
has the president failed TO appoint the SEN
ior general TO the command Of the army.
When General Miles was seen by a re-
porter at his quarters ON Governors is
land, he spoke freely Of his appointment.
"My informant, said the general, twas
Secretary Lamont, whom met by special
appointment at the Metropolitan club in
New York last Friday.
Naturally / was much gratified In a
sense, however, my appointment is not a
promotion, as the grade Of lieutenant gem
eral became extinct with the retirement
of General Schoneld.
81 will enter upon my new duties with
as little delay as possible; in fact, as soon
as the secretary of war issues the order
announcing my succession.
Leaves Governors Island With Regret.
"In leaving here will do so with many
regrets. This Is the pleasantest post / ever
had. Although in the very heart Of oivili-
zation, it is as much retired as If it were
hundreds Of miles away instead of being
within a gunshot Of the metropolis Then,
too, the people of New York and Brooklyn
have been very hospitable and i shall
leave them with many social obligations
General Miles was asked whether he
will recommend any changes in the I'D
niinistration Of the army. He replied that
if he SO contemplated, it would hardly be
proper 20 discuss them at this time.
The general would make no direct reply
TO the question whether he thought the
grade of lieutenant general might be re-
vived by congress In his case as in that Of
General Schofleld.
When asked whether General Ruger
will succeed him in command Of the de-
partment of the east, General Miles re-
piled;
"That is the general impression; but,
of course, cannot speak authoritatively."
The rank Of lieutenant general expires
with General Schohold's retirement, as It
is grade only created by special acts Of
congress IN recognition of distinguished
services. IL has been bestowed upon six
generals-Washingt Scott Grant Sher-
man, Sheridan and Schofeld"
General Miles has received all his mill
tary training on the field of experience in
stead of in the schools. He will be the first
general for many years who was not a
West Point graduate, and as the West
Pointers are reputed to esteem themselves
the aristocracy Of the army It has been re-
ported that his volunteer anteoedents
would initiate against his appointment
so far as the influence Of the army circle
had to do with IL. General Winfield Scott
was the last commanding general who
was not West Point man.
How He Won His EpauIets.
General Miles is a native of Massachu-
sotts, having been born i'm Westminster
on Aug $, 1889. In 1861 he joined the
Twenty second Massachusetts volunteers
and served throughout the rebellion with
great distinction
He distinguished himself early in his
career in the Army Of the Potomac and
took part in every engagement except one
up to Lees surrender at Appomattox.
General Miles distinguished himself in
particular at Spottsylyania. Attacking
the bloody angle ON the right, ne broke
the enemy's line, routed him and captured
Lieutenant General busnfOd johnson ana
his division. At Five Forks, Miles saved
the day by coming to the rescue Of Sheri-
dams cavalry and Warren's Fitch corps.
General Miles promotion was marked
by somewhat exceptional rapidity, only
about a year elapsing before he was made
Lieutenant colonel of the Sixty-flrst New
York infantry, and month later, Sept.
80, 1862 he was made colonel of the
same regiment.
In 1864 he attained the rank Of briga-
dior general Of volunteers and early in
the following year obtained his commits
sion as major general Of volunteers. In
] 500 he was mustered out Of the volunteer
service and placed in command OF the
Fourth United States infantry in which
he remained till 1869, when he was trans
ferred to the Fifth infantry
Altogether the new commander has had
varied military career. Since the war he
has been best known as an Indian fighter.
Ho did fine work nc tho head Of the lndi-
nm Territory expedition In 1873. In 1876
he drove Sitting Bull over the Canadian
line, captured number Of noted warriors,
and also succeeded i'm making prisoners
Of Chief Joseph and the Nez Porcos. In
1878 he defeated and captured band Of
Ill Nnf