The herald., 1896-04-22
GEN GEN. NILES and IND HIS RECORD

to the rank OF lleiltenant-general ana lK-
nores Secretary Lamont's lettor to the
chairman of the committee. In reading
that letter TO General HawIey one is re-
minded grimly of the irony of fate. With
all of his hard-earned success, it seems to
be the fate Of General Miles that his halo
he kept with the light turned for some
thing not done, instead of at full tilt for
what he does do.
According to Secretary Lamont compli-
mentary rank should be conferred on
those generals only who have rendered
"eminent and distinguished services" and
on those who are "most distinguished for
courage, skill and ability" that only five
have been thus honored, four of whom re-
ceived "thanks from congress for most
distinguished military service," and the
fifth commanded a separate army during
the late war, and also discharged most
"delicate and responsible civil duties.
And "dietinr,,ished services,'' viewed
from Observation-Disclosures
point means number of battles fought and
amount of blood shed.
Cannot fine generalship be gauged by
battles averted and the number of lives
saved? If the "thanking of congress" is
another step toward receiving the honor OF
lieutenant generalship could it not be that
there have been times when congress was
mapping and not fully posted as to where
thanks should go?
1t seems to me, if may be allowed to
say so, that "congress" might have been
very remiss in this little courtesy. Three
times within the last lew years, to my GER
tain knowledge. there have been opportuni-
ties for this graceful act. but, instead, Gen.
Miles has been placed in a position where,
if 1t had come within the ethics of military
discipline, he could have defended himself
against criticism in work that showed with
out question-by the successful result-the
most sklllful penera,ShiD.
In the first instance, it would not have
been out of place for congress to have
joined hands with greatful Arizona and ex-
tended thanks with the jeweled sword that
was presented to General Miles for the set
tlement of the Indian troubles that sent
Geronimo and his band into Florida exile.
In the second place, while Secretary La
mont is counting the number of battles
fought by other generals, congress should
thank General Miles for battle that was
not fought during the Sioux troubles five
years ago. In the third instance, it would
not be at all amiss for congress to thank
General Miles for his successful handling
of dedicate and responsible civil duties"
right here in Chicago at different times.
General Miles has been placed in charge
of these situations where every citizen and
the whole country look to him to protect
all that is near and dear. He has been
placed tnerS because OF peiieI III MS dpili-
ty. He has never disappointed. He has
never failed. The nation at large has
been enthusiastically grateful, but has
General Miles ever received official
thanks? Far from it. While he has not re.
ceived official criticism, there has been
CONSPICUOUS absence OF publicly expressed
official appreciation.
1t may take good generalship in times of
war to meet and thwart the intelligence OF
other generals, but the most skillful abili-
ty has only to meet the tactics that are a
part of military discipline either in foe or
friend. To attain the desired result, with
the cunning and treachery of the Indian
and the individually independent and col
lectiveiy undisciplined civilian. takes
something more than military training and
tactics.
About the battle that was not fought. At
Pine Ridge, in southern Dakota, are thirty
five graves. They are the graves of union
soldiers whose lives were sacrificed in an
encounter with Indians whore good gener-
alship, it appears even to the uninitiated,
would have foreseen that the situation
might lead to disaster. In two days from
that time, under this same leadership, 500
soldiers were deep down in pocket be-
tween hills, with no way Of getting out ex.
ceptng under the fire of 1000 hostile In
dams.
In few minutes 1t would have been an
other Custer massacre, but deliverance
came. Did good generalship put these
men into this pocket? Then finally Gem
eral Miles was sent to the scene of trouble
to settle matters in his own way. He
found these newly made graves where
were resting his faithful soldiers. He
found trenches where were buried over
one-hundred Indians. He found church
which was doing service as hospital for
thirty more wounded Indians. He found
wounded soldiers in hospital tents. He
reviewed the situation, causes and results
A cry went up from the poetic east that an
Investigation be made, not for an investi-
cation of facts that led up TO the sacrifice
of the union soldiers, but of the killing of
the Indians, squaws and children.
General Miles, realizing most thoroughly
the gravity OF the situation, as he found it
personally, and pending this investigation
asked for, relieved from duty the officer
the Indians, both friendly and hostile. TO-
900 in all. to come to Pine Ridge. three
thousand of our soldiers, we'll euuipped.
were there to meet them. Then he waited.
He knew the Indians and knew they would
do as he said, and knew it was not neces-
sary to strew those desolate plains with
dead and dying.
He was IN constant communication with
the leaders of the uprising through trusted
scouts and interpreters, and was working
quietly but constantly day and night. Did
congress and the country at large wait pa
tiently? Far from it. Criticisms flew
thick and fast. First, that this officer in
former command had been suspended
criticisms for the act when anyone on the
spot could see that 17-year-old cadet
from West Point would have more sense
than to trust to Indian cunning and tn
lead men into such pocket. Second, be-
cause of the ''inactivity'' of General
Miles; activity being gauged apparently
by the booming of cannon and guns and a
hunger for sensation not being fed.
All the time General Miles was settling
things in his own way. He knew the sacri-
flee OF life to be unnecessary, unless some
accident occurred. And tho very air was
filled with these accidents--the Swapping
of revolver meant a murderous panic, It
required the most delicate handling of
white men as we'll as of the Indians.
heard General Miles say to "Kickinp
Bear" who had been brought to headuuar
ters secretly:
II don't know who started this trouble:
will know who ends it. Yourself and others
must do as tell you or you will be made
to do it.''
By this time these leaders of the trouble
felt they were conquered. They knew
that array of soldiers belonging to the
"White Father'' meant submission or
death. 1t took time and the most carefur
handling to reinstate the confidence of the
Indians and to teach them the power of
Uncle Sam, but it was for-all-tme VIC
tory. that never again, having had this OPP
portunity to judge of the resources OF the