The National tribune., 1897-12-16

! DaCK seat WITH lOdueu TILES swung III
the loops made for them; the lightest
kind of baggage, and generally a bag
of oats to supplement the grass, and to
attach the mules to their camp.
With an outfit of two, three, or four
of such, | have made journeys Of as
much as 1900 miles in a single season,
usually from post to post, averaging in
distance about 200 miles q week, with
as much regularity as is done to-day by
the steam-car running its 500 miles a
day; but those days are gone, and,
though | recognize the great National
advantages Of the more rapid locomo-
ton, | cannot help occasionally regret
ting the change.
One instance in 1866 rises in my
memory, which | must record: Return
ing eastward from Fort Garland, we as
cended the Rocky Mountains to the
Sangre-de- -Cristo Pass. The road de-
scending the mountain was very rough
and siding. | got out with my rifle,
and walked ahead about four miles,
where | awaited my Dougherty."
After an hour or so ! saw, coming
down the road, wagon, and did not
recognize it as my own till quite near.
1t had been upset, the top all mashed
in, and no means at hand for repairs.
| consequently turned aside from the
main road to a camp Of cavalry near the
Spanish Peaks, where we were most
Hospitality received by Maj. A and
his accomplished wife They occupied
a large hospital-tent, which about.
dozen beautiful greyhounds were free to
enter at will.
The ambulance was repaired, and the
next morning We renewed our journey,
escorted by the Major and his wife on
their fine saddIe-horses. They accom-
panied us about 10 miles Of the way
and, though age has since begun to tell
on them, / shall ever remember them in
their pride and strength as they galloped
alongside our wagons down the long
slopes of the Spanish Peaks in driving
snow-storm.
And yet again would it be pleasant
task TO recall the many banquets and
feasts Of the various associations of off
GERS and soldiers, who had fought the
GOOD battles of the civil war, in which /
shared as guest or host, when We could
indulge in a reasonable amount Of glori-
fcation at deeds done and recorded,
with wit, humor, and song; these when
memory was fresh, and when the old
soldiers were made welcome to the best
of cheer and applause in every city and
town of the land. But no. | must
hurry to my conclusion, for this journey
has already been sufficiently prolonged.
PURPOSE TO RETIRE
/ had always intended to divide time
with my natural successor, Gen. p. II.
Sheridan, and early notified him that
| should about the year 1884 retire
from the command of the Army, leaving
him about an equal period of time for
the highest Office in thezArIny. 1t so
happened that Congress had meantime
by successive "enactments cut down
the Army to $4,000 men, the usual
strength Of corps do,p,ee, the legiti
mate command Of a Lieutenant-Ge
eral.
Up TO 1882 officers not disabled by
wounds or sickness could only avail
themselves Of the privileges Of retire
ment on application, after 80 years Of
service, at 62 years OF age; but on the
Goth Of June, 1882, bill was passed
which, by operation of the law itself,
compulsorily retired all Army officers
regardless Of rank, at the age Of "a
years.
AT the time this law was debated in
Congress | was consulted by Senators
and others ia the most friendly manner,
representing that, if / wanted it, an ex-
ception could Justly and easily be made
in favor Of the General and Lieutenant
! General, whose commissions expired
with their lives; bat / invariably replied
that ! did not ask or expect an excep-
ton in my case, because no man could
know or realize when bis own mental
and physical powers began to decline.
/ remembered well the experience of
Gil Bias with the Bishop Of Granada, and
favored the passage OF the law fixing a
positive period for retirement, to obviate
in the future special cases Of injustice
such as | had seen in the recent past.
The law was passed, and every officer
then knew the very day on which he
must retire, and could make his prepara-
tions accordingly. In my own case the
law was liberal in the extreme, being
without reduction in his current pay
and allowance"
would be 81 years old on the Sth OF
February, 1884, date inconvenient to
move, and not suited to other incidents
so | resolved to retire OH the lst day of
November, 1883, to resume my former
home al ST Louis, and give my successor
ample time to meet the incoming Con
gress.
But, preliminary thereto, concluded
to make one more tour OF the continent
going ou. 10 the Pacific by the Northern
route, and returning by that of the 35tl
parallel. This we accomplished, be
4 L. !