The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-08-08
When He VIII Assume the Duties Of
Chief of stan, a Recently Gre
ated Position.
GEN. MILEs's FINAL ORDERS
PATRIOTIC ADDRESS To THE SOL
DIERs OF THE NATION.
Thanks tn His Companions and As
sociates and Best Wishes for
the Regular Army.

WASflNOION, aug. f.-l<lentenant Gen-
eral Nelson A. Miles. commanding the
army, Will retire from active service at noon
tomorrow, having reached the age limit of
sixty-four years. The following order was
prepared to-day and will be issued to-mor-
row:
"The retirement from active service by
the President. Aug s. 1903 of Lieutenant
General Nelson A. Miles, u. s. A, by opera
ton of law under the provisions OF the
announced. Lieutenant General Miles will
proceed to his home. The travel enjoined is
necessary for the public service.
by order of the Secretary OF War.
III. c. CORBIN, Adjutant General"
Several other orders resulting from the
retirement of General Miles have been is- 5
sued. one assigning Lieutenant General
Young to the command OF the army until
Aug 15, when he will assume the duties
of chief of staff. another assigning Major
General Corbin as president of the Soldiers
Home Board. another Brigadier General
Gillespie as president of the Board or
Ordnance and Fertilization, and still an
other assigning Lieutenant General Young
as a member of the Sherman Statue Com
mission.
GENERAL MILES TO THE ARMY.
/. General Miles has issued the following ad-
dress on the occasion of his retirement from
active service:
General Orders No. 116l
Headquarters of the Army,
washington, Aug 5.
'In accordance with the provisions OF the
act of Congress of June 80, 1852. the under
signed will retire from the active service
Aug. 8, 1903.
I'm relinquishing the command of the
army OF the United States. to which he was
assigned by the President Oct. 2, 1886. he
hereby acknowledges his appreciation OF the
fidelity manifested by the officers and SOL
diers during the past eventful years.
ITO those who were his companions and
wars he takes pleasure IN expressing his
qualification that they have lived through
the trials and dangers of long service TO
witness the results of their fortitude, hero
ism and unselfish devotion TO the welfare
of their country. They have also In a most
commendaole manner exemplifed to the
ciples of discipline and patriotism which
make the army the protector and defender
and never the menace OF the Nation and
its liberties.
1.-The time and occasion are considered
opportune for expressing TO the army
few thoughts concerning its past and that
which may affect its future welfare. Ii IS
from the best impressions and influences of
the past that the most desirable results
may be realized in the future.
'Unswerving devotion TO our government
and the principles upon which Ii was es-
tablished and has been maintained Is es-
sential to the efficiency of the national
|
cratic government where the. individual. In
order to be a perfect soldier, must first be
a true citizen. The boast that every SOL
dier of a great nation carried a marshaIs
| baton in his knapsack Is In q higher sense
more than equaled in significance by the
| fact that every American soldier persoui-
| fies sovereign citizenship and may by his
| own conduct exemplify impartial justice to
| those who have never experienced II and
| the results of the highest liberty TO those
who have been strangers to IL, thereby
| aiding to secure for his country a moral in
| fuence not otherwise attainable.
ALL LIKE WASHINGTON.
During the darkest hour Of our history
the first commander OF the American forces
| demonstrated the grandeur and nobility of
his character by combating the evil infiu-
ences then pervading the army, and by
| manifesting the strongest confidence and
faith in the ultimate justice and integrity
of his government. His words of wisdom,
uttered at Newburg one hundred and twenty
years ago. had the effect OF inspiring 'un-
| rising superior to the pressure or the most
| complicated sufferings.' IL is one OF the
glories of our country that the army has
maintained these principles for more than
| a century.
"The commanders of the army succeeding
Washington have by their example. infiu-
| ence and orders engendered and maintained
| the highest degree of efficiency, discipline
| and patriotism.
since its organization the army has been
| charged with great variety OF RESPONSE
bilities, all subordinate to defending the
| country and maintaining the rights OF its
citizens In the discharge OF it's mani
| fold duties the army has confronted enc
| mics representing every stage OF human
development in the highest civilizations yet
| obtained TO savagery and barbarism- IL
has ever been its duty 10 observe in war
| those chivalric and humane principles by
which inevitable horrors greatly nit
| igated while by unyielding prosecution OF
| warfare against armed forces its valor
has been demonstrated.
| .All honorable activity and life for the
| army must exist within the well-defined
lines of patriotism. untarnisned honor.
/ ence TO rightful authority and incessant
warfare against armed enemies. Always
to maintain its truth. honor and justice
! qures the highest moral courage and IL
| equally as important as fOrtltude in battle.
| Drill discipline and instruction are but
| preparatory for the perfection and efiicien-
'.sThe events of recent years have placed
| upon the army new obligation and an
| opportunity for broader exemplihcaticp
| OF it's country's principles. The United
| States army Is now brought into daily COM
munication with millions OF people 10 whom
its individual members OF every grade are
! the exponents of American civilization. A
| serious duty and a great honor are now
presented 10 every officer and soldier.
| namely TO exemplify TO those with whom
| he comes in contact our country's princi-
| pies OF equal and exact justice. immunity
from violence. equality before the law and
! the peaceful use and possession OF his own.
| Marked changes at different times have
| occurred in the strength and organization
Of the army. resulting from diverse infiu-
| ences and various experiments have been
| tried. Time has rectified errors In the past
and will do SO in the future. The lieutenant
general has faith that under all cireum- -
| character. and that It's future VIII be az
honorable and glorious as has been its his-
! ScONTINJED ON PAGE COL ~