Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-08-05
dams on the frontier. sand defeated the
Cheyennes. Kiowas, and Eommanches in the


Indian territory aBd Texas in 1S74-5. and
iE 1876 the hostile SIOUX in Montana,
Dakota and Wyoming. ssHe drove Sitting
Bulls tribe across the Canadian frontier
and forced the surrender Of the sirens
tribes led by Crazy Horse, Lame Deer,
Spotted Eagle, Broad Road and other chiefs
well known in Indian history. In septem-
Der, 1877, when the Neg Perces Indians.
under Chief Joseph. went on the warpa.h.
he intercepted, defeated and captured them
after most remaFkable march from the
the Canadian frontier. IN 1873 he captured
the hostile Bannocks near the Yellowstone
Park One Of his most successful and diff
cult campaigns was that against the
Arache chief, Geronimo, and his blood
thirsty tribe. The Apaches were cease
lessly followed and giveni no rest until theis
endurance was exhausted and they we've
forced to surrender. The value of these
services was so much appreciated that he
received the thanks Of the legislatures of
Kansas Montana, New Mexico Dakota ant
Arizona. the citizens Of the latter territory
also presenting him with sword of honor
in November, 1887.
In 1901 Gen. Miles was called again into
the field in the Dakotas to suppress the
general uprising Of the Indians in that
country, and after a comparatively short
campaign practically ended the last upris.
ing of hostile Indians.
He was in command Of the Department
of the Columbia from 1SS1-S5; the Depart.
ment of the Missouri from July, 1885, tic
April, 1886: the Department of. Arizona
from 1868; the Division Of the PACING
from 1SS8-9O; the Division of the Missouri
from 1S9O-94; the Department of the East
from 1894 to October, 1896, when he became
the commanding general of the army, with
headquarters at washington d. c.
Important Missions Abroad.
He has also been designated to perform
several important missions abroad, having
been detailed by the President in 1897 to
visit the seat of war between Turkey and
Greece. next to represent the United States
at the jubilee of her late majesty, Queen
Victoria. and also to witness the maneuvers
of the armies of Russia, Germany and
France During that time he visited near
ly every European capital, inspected the
principal gun foundries and military camps
and made valuable reports to the govern
ment of his observations. In 1903, after
visiting the Philippine Islands in his Of
fetal capacity, he returned through Japan.
China and over the great trans-Siberian
railroad back to the United States, thus
having made the tour of the world by this
comparatively new and untraveled route.
When the war with Spain broke out Gen.
Miles made many important recommended
lions. which, If followed, 1t is said by his
friends. would have greatly reduced the
cost and increased the efficiency of the
an immense army, ill-clad and imperfectly
equipped nor did he see the necessity
therefor He regarded the war as mainly
a naval problem and realized that the de-
the Spanish army in Cuba cut off from all
supplies and communication with the home
government. SO that Its capture would be
rendered an easy matter. He urged the
immediate capture of Porto Rico, and was
strongly in favor Of aiding the Cubans
with arms, ammunition and necessary sup
plies.
In the Spanish War.
Before war was declared, under his d.
rection. the effective force of the regular
Mt
Orleans Mobile and Tampa, and consider
able quantities of war material were sent to
the Cuban army. Atthe breaking out of the
war the regular army, although consisting
of only 250O0 men,, was well equipped. or
ganized and disciplined and prepared for
ments for about 10000 additional men. and
he urged therefore that the volunteer
troops called into service be kept in their
respective states until they could be prop
erly equipped and organized.
He took steps to obtain the cooperation
of the Cuban forces in eastern Cuba, and
by his direction they were so disposed by
their commanders that they aided greatly
in the capture Of Santiago While at
Tampa organizing the first expedition for
Santiago he requested authority to accom-
pany that expedition or to organize imme-
miately another and join the first, and
quest was not granted, and instead he was
directed by telegraph to return to WASH
ington. Later, when the army before San
tiago was seriously involved. he was au-
thorozed to go there at once with rein
forcements, and arrived July IL. On the |
18th he met General Toral. the Spanish |
commander, in conference under flag of |
truce, and demanded the surrender of the |
Spanish forces by noon ON the following |
day. In the meantime he had arranged for |
a combined attack by all the naval and |
military forces The Spanish commander |
was notified that hostinties would COM |
mence at that time should he not sur |
render. Before the hour arrived, on the |
morning of July IA. General Toral agreed |
to surrender not only the garrison of San
tiago, but all the troops in his department. |
The commissioners to arrange the details |
of capitulation having been appointed, |
General Miles proceeded to Guantanamo |
bay to organize the expeoltion for the cap
ture of Porto Rico On the 21st of July
he sailed with 3314 men, although there
was force of 1900 Spanish regulars and
Porto Rican volunteers on that island at
the time. The objective point selecte>- for
landing, Point Fajardo the northeast
coast of the island, was changed by the
general while en- route to that of eiuanica,
on the south coast, in consideration of SUBJ
sequent information and other reasons
A landing was made there July 25, and
after two engagements with the Spanish
troops Ponce was occupied July q. The
point took the enemy completely by sur
prise. The campaign was admirably
planned and executed the island being
practically taken by strategy. In conse-
quence OF the careful disposition of the
troops there was but small loss of life
The series Of general orders he has is
sued during the years in which he has been
In command of the army, well as the
contained in his annual
reports, illustrate his solicitude in promot-
ing the welfare, efficiency and patriotism
of the army.