The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-05-14

ther's family. one that has notably dis
tinguished itself in the civil and milf
tary annals OF the nation. for the un-
Gle of Mrs. Miles was that General
Sherman whose march to the sea fur
njshed the inspiration for the war song
Marching Through Georgia" Another
uncle no less famous is ex-Secretary of
War John Sherman of Ohio. Mrs. Miles
father was Judge Sherman of Cleve-
land. She Is sister of Mrs. Don Cam
eron, wife OF the ex-Pennsylvania sena-
tor. Mrs Miles was a great favorite or
the soldier uncle, and one OF the de-
lights OF her girlhood days was TO hear
the bluff old soldier retail thrilling
stories of the war.
1t was in 1868 at reception given by
the then Senator John Sherman that
she met her. soldier lover. General
Miles was tall. handsome young fell
low, with all the honors OF a splend-
did war record. Miss Mary Sherman's
patriotic heart vastly approved of the
gallant young hero who so promptly
and plainly approved of her.
Their marriage was celebrated In
handsome style at Cleveland. General
Sherman taking a conspicuous part in
the ceremony.
After the wedding the young officer,
who had decided to devote his future to
the fascinating life of soldier instead
OF retiring to private life, was almost
Immediately ordered to a military post
in the west. For years he was engaged
on the frontier in keeping Uncle Sans
Indian charges in check. During this
time Mrs. Miles accompanied her hus-
band everywhere. There Is scarcely an
army post from Alaska to Arizona that
she has not visited. and she has en-
countered adventures enough to have
turned an average woman's hair gray
with terror. On the frontier the rest
less Indians were constantly on the
verge OF an uprising, the only thing
that held them in check being the fear
of Uncle Sans vengeance. When a
party of the government soldiers was
compelled to go out upon scouting and
other expeditions, leaving the fort poor
~ garrisoned. there was always fear OF
m Indian attack. In case OF a surprise
and the capture of the fort by the In
dians all the officers notified those who
remained behind that rather than per-
nit their wives to fall into the hands
Of the Indians they were TO kill them
when the last hope OF help seemed gone.
OF this desolate life Mrs. Miles herself
tells many n stirring story.
II could have borne all the bardships."
she said to friend, without even one
thought os repining had 1t not been so
far from civilization. IL was the hor-
r!blc loneliness and the unvGrying rou-
tine that made II hardest. 1 always
turned to our bleak, bare quarters and
found occupation for my mind and fin
gers in beautifying Its interior. After
We got settled made them look COM
Portable and homelike.
'l remember one cold. dreary winter
We had been preparing 10 spend a very
rlerry Christmas when word reached
us that Indians were attacking the next
post and that the gorrisons ammuni-
uor and strength had about given out.
General Miles ut once gave orders TO
our men to prepare to go TO the relief of
Tho station, and next morning our SOL
d!.rs fled out OF the fort. Enough am
muaition had been left behind and
enough soldiers TO work the guns.
'"rhcn began desolation In earnest. We
know it must be at least "a month before
they returned. When night came and
psa- baFTicaded our doors, few OF us clos
Ell our eyes In sleep. fearing that tho
trcacherous Indians. hearing of our un-
protected condition. would take odvan-
ta~c OF 4. 10 make an attack.
Well. our defenders had been gone
about three weeks when heavy storm
set r.. II was tho greatest snowstorm
had ever scrn. For eight days Il snow
ed without ceas.nr. and with the rising
81 tho sun each day every nisp, woman