New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-11-26
MISS NILES'S ENGAGEMENT.
DAUGHTER OF THE COMMANDING GEN
ERAL OF THE ARMY TO MARRY
CAPTAIN SAMUEL, REFER

Washington Nov. GJ.-The announcement
short time ago Of the engagement II the daush-
ter Of the major general commanding the Army
Miss Cecilia Sherman Miles to Captain Samuel
Rebor caused a considerable stir in Army cir
cles, where Miss Miles has long been leading
figure. The announcement was unexpected, and
therefore came in the nature Of a surprise, al
though there was really nothing surprising
about It, Captain Reber whose mother was
Sherman. Is Miss Miles's second cousin, and the
two have almost grown UP together. He Is sev-
era years her senior, and they have been fast
friends so much that one thought OF
them as lovers. More than that, Miss Miles
has been such general favorite that her name
has frequently been coupled with those Of other
Army officers who have paid her marked atteH-
ton and her marriage has been prophescd re-
reatedly, but until now she has remained fancy
free
She is IN unusually intelligent bright young
woman. As a little girl and while she vas in
her teens also. she lived much Of the time with
her parents at the frontier Army POSTS and
that experience gave her breadth Of character
which is not usually found among young girls Of
society Later On she came East and attended
a fashionable boarding school for two or three
years, but most Of her education was obtained
from tutors under her fathers immediate super
vision.
only those who have the good fortune to know
General Miles intimately are aware Of the
gcnalty Of his disposition. In his home he is
at his best; he is the ideal husband and
father and with his wife daughter and soma
youth Of about eighteen, who is now at West
Point-be is a most delightful companion. He
is never too busy to be interested in what in
ing at his own hreside to any other place. Miss
Mi!ess quick. receptive mind has always been
4 source Of pleasure to him. As a little child
he delighted to guide her reading. and as she
grew older she formed the habit OF reading to
him from the books he enjoyed In this way
she has obtained wide scope of general infor
nation, and has in consequence been Of much
help to him I'm his literary work
Captain Reber is one Of the most promising.
and certainly one of the most Fortunate of the
souri, thirty-nye years ago. and was appointed
from that State to West Point. He was grad
uated with the class of 81 and was appointed
a second lieutenant Of the 4th Cavalry in the
following July and in 1892 was made a first
Lieutenant Of the oh Cavalry. In January, 1891.
he entered The Signal Corps, became chief signal
officer Of volunteers in May. 1895. and in July
Of the same year was appointed lieutenant colo
mel lie remained chief signal officer with the
Army Corps and Of the Department of Matan-
zas and Santa Clara, and also acting supern
tendent of military telegraph lines Of the island
OF Cuba. until January. 1889 when he was made
chief signal officer of the Department Of the
East, with headquarters at Governors Island,
where he is now stationed. Captain Reber is an
electrical expert. He took a special course of
instruction at Johns Hopkins in connection with
his work on the lnterCOntinental Railway Com
mission Of 1892, Of which he member. He
was also on duty with the Board of Engineer
officers on the Water Power Of the Great Falls
from April to July, in 1891, and was Of the
Government appo.ntees for examining and re-
porting upon the electrical exhibits Of the At
lanta Exposition. During the Spanish-American
war he was on duty with the United States
Army in Porto Rico. and accompanied General
Miles in his campaign across that island Miss
Miles has been with her parents on the Pacific
Coast The wedding is to take place in Wash
ington in January.