Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-08-08

his assistants. General Ainsworth, Colonel
Mordecai. acting chief of ordnance. and his
assistants: Acting Inspector General Mills,
Judge Advocate General Crowder Colonel
Edgarly, I'd Cavalry; General George H.
Harries. commanding the District National
Guard, and others. General Miles was in
good spirits and the greetings exchanged
between the various officers was hearty
and cordial
Gen. Miles appeared in an undress coat
without the usual emblems showing his
rank, but with the coat of arms on his
shoulders such as is now prescribed to be
worn by all officers. Gen. Young appeared
with the three stars of the rank of lieuten-
ant general, although he did not actually
become lieutenant general until noon.
The officers were presented to Gen. Miles
by Gen. COrbin and were also presented to
Gen. Young. OF course. all knew Gen.
Miles, but the presentation was formal1ty
observed on such occasions. To those who
expressed regret that he was leaving the
army Gen. Miles remarked that retirement
was what all must come to- but that toward
the last the time was reached quicker than
was really expected.
Gift From Civilian Employees.
The clerks and messengers at the head
quarters of the army. Just prior to the re-
ception Of the commissioned officers of the
army presented General Miles with hand
yer loving cup. which bore the inscription:
ITO Lieutenant General Nelson A. Miles,
commanding U. s. Army. on his retirement
from active service. August 8. 1903. from
the clerks and messengers at the head
quarters of the army
The presentation was made by Captain
Morton. chief clerk at army headquarters.
In behalf Of the clerks and messengers, and
was most f1ttingly responded to by General
Miles in a speech OF five minutes duration.
He said, In part. that he had in the past
received many honors from those high in
authority and prominent in the affairs of
the world, but that he appreciated these
gifts more than any others as he knew
they came from true, loyal hearts.
He assured the clerks that he was in
debted to them for their faithful service
and assistance, not only to him, but to his
predecessors, and thanked them for the
efficient manner in which they had assisted
in the administrative duties of the head
quarters of the army. He referred to the
fact that many of the clerks had served
long periods as soldiers In the army, and
he assured them that their military as well
as their civil service was most creditable.
At the conclusion of his remarks Gen.
Miles feelingly bade each of the clerks and
messengers hearty goodbye.
During the military reception the adjoin-
ing corridors and stairways were thronged
with clerks and visitors. the majority Of
the military reception Gen. Miles was no
titled by one Of his aids that many Of the
clerks would like to pay their respects to
him II entirely agreeable to him. He was
VlSlOly 6Edtlueu dL lU0 T6Qucbt, anu SdlQ
that he would be pleased to see all who
wished to call on him. whereupon. long
line Of men and women passed through his
office and shook hands with Gen. Miles.
some Of them taking occasion to express
their personal esteem.
Departure From the Department.
Gen. Miles. accompanied by his military
secretary, Lieut.. Col Reber. left the War
Department few minutes before IL o'clock.
Previously Col. Reber visited the Secretary
Of War and obtained the discharge of q
private soldier who has been on duty with
Gen. Miles at army headquarters for sew
eral years and who will enter the service
Of the general Gen. Miles will leave here
tomorrow for San Francisco to attend the
encampment of the Grand Army of the Re-
public at that place. He will make the
trip as the special guest of the Grand Army
posts of Maryland in a special train over
the Baltimore and Ohio railroad as far as
Chicago. He has frequently declared that
he is not q candidate for the Office of COM
mander-in -in-chief of the Grand Army, his
personal preference being for the election
of Gen. Black to that office; but, notwith-
standing his attitude in the matter, there
is strong sentiment in favor of Gen
Miles selection.
He said today that his movements after
leaving San Francisco were as yet unset
tied, but that 1t was his purpose to make
his home in this city.