The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1895-09-30
GENL MILES RANKS.
He is at the Head of the United
States Army.
He Succeeded Gen. SchOfield Who
Retired Sunday.
GEN. MILES'S RECORD.
His Training Has Been in School
of Experience.
Won't Discuss Changes He May
Have in View.
GEN. MILES'S RECORD.

NEW YORK, Sept. 3O.-There is now
no longer any doubt that Major-Gen-
eral Miles is to succeed Lieutenant
General Schofeld in the Office of gen
eral-in-conmand of the United States
army General Miles made a state
mentof the fact last night, saying that
he was informed of the presidents de-
termination to appoint him on Friday
last by the secretary of war, whom he
met in this city by special appoint
ment at the Metropolitan club. Gen
eral Schofeld retired from active serv-
ice at noon yesterday.
General Miles was asked whether he
will recommend any changes in the
army. He replied that if he so con-
templated it would hardly be proper
to discuss them at this time.
The general would make no reply to
the question whether he thought the
grade of lieutenant general might be
revived in his case. as in that of Cen
eral Schofeld. When asked whether
General Ruger will succeed him in
command of the department of the
East, he replied: 'That is the general
impression, but of course l cannot
speak authoritatively."
The rank of lieutenant general ex-
pires with General Schofields retire
ment, as it is a grade only created by
special act of congress in recognition
of distinguished service. 1t has been
bestowed upon six Washing
ton, Scott, Grant, Sherman, Sheridan
and SchOfield.
General Miles has received all his
military training on the field of exper-
fence, instead of in the schools. He
will be the first general for many years
who was not West Point graduate.
and, as the West Pointers are reputed
to esteem themselves the aristocracy
of the army, it has been reported that
volunteers antecedents would mill
tate against his appointment SO far as
the influence of the army circles had
/ to do with it.
General Winfield Scott was the last
commanding general who was not
/ West Point man.
General Miles is native of Massa-
chusetts, having been born in West
minister on August 8, 1889. In 1861 he
Joined the Twenty-second Massa-
| chusetts 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 en-
gagement except one up to Lees sur
render at Appomatox. General Miles
| distinguished himself in particular a !
Spottsylvania. Alta cking the bloody
angle on the right, he broke the en-
emy's line, routed him and captured
Lieutenant General Bushrod Johnson
and his division. At Five Forks
Miles saved the day by coming
to the rescue of Sheridan's
cavalry and War;, MS Fifth corps
General Miles promotion was marked
by somewhat exceptional rapidly,
only about year elapsing before he
was made lieutenant colonel of the
| Sixty-frst New York infantry, and a
month later, September 4, 1862, he was
made a colonel of the sam regiment.
In 1864 he attained the rank of briga-
der general of volunteers, and early
in the following year obtained his
commission as major general of volun-
teers. In 1866 he was mustered out of
the volunteer service and placed in
command ofthe Fourth United States
infantry, in which he remained till
1869, when he was transferred to the
Fifth infantry.
Altogether. the new commander has
had varied mil ,tary career. Since
the war he has been best known as an
Indian fighter. He did fine work at
the Indian territory expedition in
1873. In 1876 he drove Sitting Bull
over the Canadian line, capturing
number Of noted warriors. and also
1
Chief Joseph and the Nez Perces. In
1873 he defeated and captured band
of Bannoclzs in Yellowstone park.
Not long after this he succeeded in
bringing in Sitting Bull, and thus was
more factor than any other man in
the settlement of Montana, North and
South DAKOTA In 1886 he captured
Geronimo and his band of Apaches in
Arizona.
His most recent claim to public at
tention was the part he took in sup
pressing the Chicago strike of the
American Railway union last year.
General Miles was commissioned
brevet brigadier general March ?, 1867
brigadier general, December 1880, and
major general in 1890. when he was
assigned to the command of the di-
vision of Missouri, which he relin
pushed last year to take command o.
this department on the retirement o!
Major General o. o. Howard.
In appearance he is one of the mos
stalwart, soldierly men in the service
He is over six feet tall and does no
look his so odd years.