The Kootenai herald. [volume] (Kootenai, Idaho) 1891-1904, 1895-10-05
To Succeed Lieutenant General
Schofield in Command.
VAGUE RUMORS SET AT REST
Received All His Military Training on
the Field of Experienced
Varied Career.

Miles is to succeed Lieutenant General
6choheld 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 Schofield 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 1t untitled.
When General Miles was seen by
reporter Of the Associated Press to-
night at his headquarters he spoke free
der announcing the appointment.
my informant" said the general
"was War Secretary Lamont whom l
met by special appointment at the Met
ropoltan Club in New York last Fri
day.
Naturally, 1 was much gratifled. In
a sense, however, my appointment is
not promotion, as the grade of lieu
tenant general becomes extinct with
the retirement of General SchOfeld.
Il 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.
In leaving here, / do so with my re-
grets. This is the pleasantest spot I
ever had, although by the art of civil
ization it is as much retired as If it 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 1 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 1t 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 Schofield. When asked wheth-
err General Kruger will succeed him in
command of the department of the east,
he replied
THAT is the general impression, but.
of course, I can not speak authorita-
lively"
The rank OF lieutenant general ex-
pires with General Schofelds retire
1nent, as it is a grade only created by
special acts Of congress in recognition
of distinguished services. 1t has been
bestowed upon six generals. Washing
ton, Scott, Grant, Sherman, Sheridan
and Schofeld.
General Miles, mas received all his
military training on the field of *
perience instead of in the schools. He
will be the first general for many
years who was not a West Point grad
uate.
General Miles Is a native of Massa
chusetts, having been born in West
minister on August s, 1899. In 1861 n
Joined the Twenty Massachu
sets volunteers and served Throughout
the rebellion with great distinction
General Miles distinguished himself il
particular at Spottsylvania.
At Five Forks Miles saved the da,
by coming to the rescue of Sheridan
cavalry and Warren's Fifth corps Gen
eral Miles promotion was marked b.
somewhat exceptional strides, Onl
about a year elapsing before he wa
made lieutenant colonel OF the Sixty
first New York infantry. and mont
later. September 4, 1862, he was mad
colonel Of the same regiment. In ISL
ne attained the rank of brigadier ger
eral of volunteers and early in the 70
lowing year obtained his commissio
as major general of the volunteers.
Altogether the new commander hs
had a varied military career. Since tn
war he has been best known as an il
dian fighter. He did fine work at th
Indian territory expedition in 1873. /
1876 he drove Sitting Bull over the c.
madam line, capturing a number
noted warriors and also succeeded
making prisoners of Chief Joseph an
the Nez Perces. In 1873 he defeate
ana captured a band of Bannocks
Yellowstone Park. Not long after IN
he succeeded in bringing in Sitting Blu
and thus was more a factor than ar
other man In the settlement of MOI
tana and Dakota. In 1856 he capture
Geronimo and his band of Apaches
Arizona.
EX-SENATOR MALONE CRITICALLY IL
lie Is Surfcriug From a stroke
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