Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1895-10-05
To Succeed Lieutenant General
Schofied in Command.
VAGUE RUMORS SET AT REST
Received All His Military Training on
the Field OF Experimental
Varied Career.

longer any doubt that Major General
Miles is to succeed Lieutenant General
Schofeld in the office of general in COM
mand of the United States army.
General Miles made that statement
of the fact tonight to a representative
of the Associated Press, saying that
he was informed of the presidents de-
termination to appoint him on Friday,
by the secretary of war, whom he met
in this city by special appointment at
the Metropolitan Club.
General SchOfeld retired from active
service at noon today and it is probable
that the appointment of General Miles
will be announced tomorrow or very
shortly. The announcement will set at
rest the rumors which have been going
the rounds during the last week con-
corning General SChOfields probable
successor. There was an impression in
some quarters that the 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.
When General Miles was seen by a
reporter of the Associated Press to-
night DIT MS uSduq IAe SpOhc Ii Se-
der announcing the appointment.
my informant" said the general,
was War Secretary Lamont, whom I
met by special appointment at the Met
ropolitan Club in New York last Fri
day.
NATURALLY, was much gratit1ed. In
a sense, however, my appointment is
not a promotion, as the grade of lieu
tenant crpnpr91 hapnn0pS nXtinnf with
the retirement of General SchOfeld.
IT will enter upon my new duties
with as little delay as possible, in fact,
as soon as the secretary issues the or
der announcing the appointment.
I'm leaving here do so with my re-
grets. This is the pleasantest spot l
ever had, although by the art of civil
izatiOn 1t is as much retired as if 1t were
hundreds Of miles away, instead of be-
ing within gunshOt Of the metropolis.
Then, too, the people of New York and
Brooklyn have been very hOspitable,
and l shall leave them with many So
cial obligations"
General Miles was asked whether he
would 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 direct
reply to the question whether he
thought the grade of lieutenant general
might be revived in his case, as that Of
General Schoffeld. When asked wheth-
er General Ruger will succeed him in
command of the department Of the east,
he replied:
THAT is the general impression, but,
of course, 1 can not speak authorita-
lively"
The rank of lieutenant general ex-
pires with General Schofeld's retire
ment, as it is a grade only created by
special acts of congress in recognition
of distinguished services. It has been
bestowed upon six generals. Washing
ton, Scott, Grant, Sherman, Sheridan
and Schofeld
General Mites mas received all his
military training on the field of TX
perience instead of in the schools. He
will be the first general for many
years who was not West Point grad
uate.
General Miles Is a native of Massa-
chusetts, having been born in West
minister on August 8, 1889. In 1861 he
joined the TWenty-seCond Massachu-
sets volunteers and served throughout
the rebellion with great distinction.
General Miles distinguished himself in
particular at Spottsylvania.
At Five Forks Miles saved the day
by coming to the rescue Of Sheridan's
cavalry and Warren's Fifth corps. Gen
eral Miles promotion was marked by
somewhat exceptional strides, only
IL, N1A l.