The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-08-07
RECORD AS A SOLDIER
is AN ENVlABLE ONE
Fought Calamity Through
out the Civil War, and
Gained Further Renown on
Ebe WeStezn frontier.

Lieut.. Gen. Nelson A. Miles today
closes his long and distinguished career
of active service in the United States
Army. Upon his retirement tomorrow
at the age of sixty-four years, he Will
be succeeded by Maj. Gen. S. B. NJ.
Young.
Tall, erect. vigorous, clear-eyed, of
finely cut features. the soldier who has
been called the hAndsomest man in the
army" gives little evidence OF advance
ing years He Is an enthusiastic horse
man. automobilist, and golfer. Only a
few weeks ago he made the phenomenal
ride OF ninety miles from Fort Sill to
Fort Reno on horseback in nine hours
and ten minutes including stops.
Nearly every day. when the weather is
propitious. he may be seen chasing a
little white ball around the links north
west OF the city. One OF the lieutenant
generals hobbies is the construction of
a great highway across the continent for
the use OF automobiles.
He retires from active duty as sound
in health and as youthful in spirits as
many of his fellow officers who are TWEEN
ty years his junior.
An Exceptional Record.
General Miles record as soldier has
been exceptional. His every promotion
was won IN the feld-not through infu-
ence in the White House or at the Cap
itol. He was born August 8, 1899, at
Id
from an American line running back to
1852. to the Rev. John Miles. a Baptist
preacher, who left Wales to settle at
Swansea, Mass. His father was a farm
er, and young Miles education began in
a little red district schoolhouse. In 1856
he went to Boston TO clerk in a crockery
shop. Later he continued his studies at
a military academy managed by Col. N.
Sahgnac, and there he imbibed his first
ideas OF war and battle.
When the trouble between the North
and South eliminated in a call for
troops in 1851, he organized Company Z
Of the Twenty-secOnd Massachusetts
Volunteers and was appointed its cap
tain. His superior officers, however. de
cided that he was too young for such a
responsibility and at their suggestion hG
Resigned to accept a commission as lieu
tenant.
Made Lieutenant Colonel.
Eight months later they forgot his
youth and made him a lieutenant colo
mel OF the Sixty-hrst New York Volun-
teers. and just one year from his first
appointment TO the captaincy he was
too young" TO hold. he wore the eagle
OF colonel. From that time il was a
steady climb upward. each new honor
being won by meritOrious service These
were his promotions during the civil
war; May Y. 1864. brigadier general OF
volunteers; October q. 1865, major gen
eral OF volunteers.
Entered Regular Service.
When the war ended he entered the
regular army as colonel OF the Tenth
Infantry and went TO fighting Indians
He became a brigadier general in 1880
and ten years later a major general. He
succeeded General Schofield in command
Of the entire army. and two years ago
Congress made him lieutenant general.
During the war he fought in the cam
Richmond. He was wounded al Fair
Oaks and again at Charlottesville. He
was twice brevetted for gallant and
meritorious conduct. He fought with tho
army Of the Potomac until the day Of
Lees surrender. and when hostilities
ceased he was sent to Fort Monroe to
guard Jefferson Davis, president of the
former COnfederacy.
Shackles on Davis.
His placing Of shackles on the distin-
guished prisoner, although authorized by
the Secretary of War, aroused deep re-
sentiment in the South and was the cause
OF much unfriendly criticism in the
North. His career In the West marked
him as the most successful Indian fighter
the country has ever known. Every one
OF his campaigns against these hostile
tribes accomplished its purpose. Each
band Of savages in turn learned that he
could Outright them in the field Thev
also learned that his word was inviola-
bic. II is probable that his diplomacy
and thorough knowledge OF Indian char
acter did more to render the frontier
secure than the bullets OF his soldiers.
His personal assurance Of fair treat
ment lured Sitting Bull from the Cypress
Hills. and II was he who turned Chief
Joseph from a treacherous enemy into
q steadfast friend Of the whites.
Sent to Quell Riot.
President Cleveland sent General Miles
10 Chicago in 1894 TO queIl the riots
there. He commanded successfully the
departments of Columbia. Missouri, Ari-
iona and the Pacific. He represented the
United States at Queen Yictoria's dia-
mond jubilee. and was sent from London
10 observe the Turko -Grecian war. In
the spanish-American war he headed the
expedition 10 Porto Rico and won Al
almost bloodless though none the less
important conquest OF that island in 4
weeks campaigning.
IN recent years General Miles engen
oered many animosities. He was not on
"AsASant terms with either President