Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-09-10

New York. Gen. Miles Is the senior major
general of the army and Gen. Ruger Is his
| immediate junior. Gen. Wesley Merritt,
the third major general, who was recently
placed in command Of the Department of
the Missouri, with station at Chicago, will
undoubtedly retain that command. There
is likelihood of any other changes in
the station or duty of the other general
officers now in command of various depart
ments
No Promotions VIII Follow.
Inasmuch as Gen. Schofield occupies the
distinguished position of lieutenant general.
grade revived for his especial benefit, his
retirement will result i'll no promotions and
will make no change in the present mill
tary status of the majors general, other
than has been already indicated. No officer
of that grade will be advanced to Gen.
Schofield's present rank, unless Gen. Miles
friends succeed in securing congressional
authority for i continuance of the lieuten-
ant generally for his benefit. All three of
the present majors general were appointed
by President Cleveland, Miles having
ceived his promotion during his first term
and Ruger and Merritt having been ad-
vanceG during his present term.
With the single exception of Gen. Sheri-
dan, Gen Miles will be the youngest officer
who has ever had command of the army.
Gen. Sheridan was fifty-two years of age
when he died. Gen. Miles is now in his
wears to serve before he will reach the
legal retiring age.
Gems. Ruger and Merritt are each older
than Gen. Miles. Inasmuch as they both
have over two years more to serve on the
active LIST, there will be no vacancies in
the list of majors general to be filled dur
ing the present administration, except in
the event of an unlooked-for casualty in
volving one of the incumbents.
The New Commanders Career.
;S of nc
rank that the army has known for many
years. Early In the eighties he was made
a brigadier general, and eight years ago
he became a major general, being then but
forty-nine years of age. Next to Gen.
Schofield he is probably the best-known
officer in the army. He comes of Massa-
chusetts stock, and made his reputation as
volunteer officer during the war, and
since then as a successful Indian fighter.
AS colonel of the fifth infantry he institute
ed many campaigns against the Indians,
and was never defeated He encompasSej
the capture of Sitting Bull, and subsequent
~ compelled the redoubtable Geronimo to
surrender. He was in command of the
troops during the turbulent times preced-
ing the Wounded Knee affair, few years
ago, and i. was his management of that
campaign that undoubtedly prevented a
general outbreak and saved the lives of
many settlers. soldiers and Indians. At
that time he was a major general, COM
handing the Department of the Missouri,
which command he held up to last autumn,
when he was transferred to New York on
the retirement of Gen. Howard
The prospective commander of the army
is closely connected by marriage with
Senator Sherman and Senator Don Cam
eron. his wire is a niece of the former
and sister-in-law of the latter. Gen. and
Mrs Miles are said to be the handsomest
couple IN the army circle. They have two
children, daughter about twenty-five
years OF age, and a son several years
younger. Mrs Miles is described as tall
woman Oh commanding presence and very
handsome. AS is well known, Gen. Miles is
OF imposing stature and distinguished APP
pearahce.
ODDOsition to the Transfer
1here are mutterlnss OF opposition from
personal enemies against Gen. Miles trans
fer to Washington but 1t is rot believed
that tbav will nroye of ,,,,ob ,.u An
- - 49, "'"" All
soi Is Vi ehai ses nave oeeh trcmped up
against him in the hope of preventing his
preferment, but to those who have studied
the situation in all its hearinos If &c NO,
,,.,. -. - ~ ~
ie' ~ ne Gan NC F"s>eo 10y "lthout
an unprecedented sacrifice of all military
laws and regulations 1t is an unbrokeE
rule in the army that senior officer shall
not receive commands from his Junior in
rank, and no one but Gen Miles can be
placed at the head of the army on the re-
tirement of Gen. Schofield without a palpa-
BILE violation of this rock-ribbed rule.
Among the objections brought against
the preferment of Gen. Miles is that he is
a republican in politics; that he is not n
graduate of West Point, and that he did