The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-08-12
BROOKLYN, Aug. 10.
Gems. Miles, SchOneId and LOngstreet.


To THE EDITOR OF The SuN-Sir: Prof Ed
ward s. Holden of West Point takes issue
with your editorial of Aug. 8. in which you
refer to Lieut.. Ten. Miles as the foremost
living American soldier. He speaks Of Gems.
SchOneld and Longstreet and says their
experience of war Is not exceeded by that
Of any living man in this or any country.
That is very strong statement, yet THINK
THE Sun was perfectly right and absolutely
correct in speaking Of Gen. Miles as the fore
most living soldier in this or any other Coun-
try.
Gems. Schofeld and Longstreet were edu-
Gated at West Point The latter graduating
in 1912, served with great distn ction in tho
Mexican and civil wars and closed his Mill
tary career at Appomattox, April 0, 1865 His
military services extended from 1912 to 1885,
and although he held high rank In the mill
tary service of the Confederacy he was never
In supreme command of an entire army. His
military career closed when he was A. years
old and at time when Gen. Miles, schooled
in the art OF war by four years Of brilliant
achievement in actual war. was only on the
threshold of his unexcelled career
As to Lieut.-Gen. Schofeld. his army service,
including his four years at West Point. eX-
tended over period of forty six years from
July 1, ls40, to Sept. 90 1895 but he saw no
date OF his first commission as Brevet Second
Lieutenant in the Second ARTILLERY July /,
1858 up to April ls8l-eght years or twelve
years reckoning from July |. 1870. From
1861 to s95-thirty-fOur years-he saw active
service, but il must be remembered that after
the close Of the civil war and his muster out
81 the Volunteers Sept /. 1850. he returned
10 the EaTulars as 4 Brigader-General under
his commissi0r rs such, dated Nov 80 1864.
and upon the Inauguration OF Gen. Grant
as President the appointment Of Gen. Sher-
man as General and Gen. Sheridan as Iieuten-
ant G ensral he became n Maior-General. As
a division and department commander after
the civil war he was but desk or red-tape
soldier, jpst as all our genera! officers are in
times Of peace He retired, Of course, before
our opera boufe" with Spain, which made
80 many distinguished Generals 1t would
seem that Gen Schofed's experience in actual
war was even less than Gen. Longstreet's 3,
because he was too young TO participate in
the Mexican War.
Contrast the services of these distinguished
Generals with the career Of Gen. Miles. who
for nearly forty-two years has been an officer
Volunteer and Regul lar, Of the glorious Army of
the Republic AS brilliant a record IA any
officer, living or dead; from 1891 to 1865 and
hostile Indians: NOT reckless or careless,
careful and safe in his dealings with the Wild
est Of the Indian trbe tho For pTsry ia fifteen
cess in this direction. was little short of the
marvellous Since he became a General
officer Brlgadierl. in 1850. his prominence in
AZ a soldier and as he advanced to Major
General, Commander Chief and Leuten-
ant-General, his fame has increased, until as
The SIN has truly said, he IL the first Of living
soldiers.
In making such an award no ono would
detract one iota from the honors due to Gen.
SchOfeld who now, at the age of II. is still
young enough to command armies, or from
the military services of Gen Longstreet. a
soldier of two wars. who under the weight OF
four score and two years IL but "Reminiscences
OF the beau ideal of Southern soldery.
WILLIAM S. PARKs.
WASHINGTON, Aug. 10,