The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1903-08-25
THE INSULT TO GENERAL NILES
His Dismissal is Very Much in Con-
trast With That of His Predeces-
sOr.

In perfect keeping with the methods
in vogue in the conduct of the military
establishment during the last few years.
is the insulting in which Cen
eral Miles was discharged from active
service in the regular army. on Sat
urday last.
General Miles began in the ranks and
fought his way UP to the supreme COM
mand after two generations of actual
service. His promotions have been the
direct result of heroism and military
skill. He achieved signal success at
Spotsylvania and Charlottesville. and
Ream station during the civil war, and
conquered the Indians in the west. cap
turing Geronimo. the bandit chieftian.
after many d fierce conflict with the
Sioux and Cheyennes. Comanches ana
Bannocks.
hat he was not popular in the south
on account Of the part he took in the
Civil war and in the subsequent cap
ture of Jefferson Davis was not in the
least to his discredit with the chief
executive. upon whose order he is re-
tired with such scant courtesy.
His only sin seems to have existed in
the fact that he, like Dewey. expressed
words of praise for Schley. the destroy
er of the Spanish fleet, at a time when
the powers wanted to give the credit
to the naval secretary'S ~favOrite. and
won the displeaSure of the army board
by showing a disposition to object to
their rank disregard of all military
ethics in promoting personal riends of
high officials to commanding positions
in the army Over the heads Of old eX-
perienced soldiers who had won their
places by heroism and merit alone.
These up to date" methods never
found favor with the old General and
the cruel manner of his dismissal is
proof that he was never forgiven by
these latter dav statesmen.
To appreciate the nature and extent
of the snub, which was so deliberately
inflicted upon him, it is only necessary
to compare the order which he received
as his dismissal. with the one which
was issued on the retirement of his
predecessor eight years go.
The order dismissing General Sho-
field was as follows:
washington. D. c.. Sept. 80. 1885"
Lieutenant General John NJ. Scho-
field having reached the age emitting
his to relief from active military ser
vice. he is hereby placed upon the re-
tired list of the army.
1T is with much regret hat the an
nouncement is made that the country is
thus to lose from the command of its
army this distinguished general. who
has done so much for its honor and
efficiency. His "1lantry in war chal-
lenges the admiration of all his coun-
trymen. while they will not fail to
gratefully remember and appreciate
how faithfully he has served his cOun-
try in times of peace.
by order of the Secretary of War.
GEORGE D. RUGGLES.
"Adjutant General"
Contrast this with the following curt
dismissal given to Gener Miles. who
for forty-two Years wore tn United
States uniform without the charge of
a single stain. and note the petty chur-
lish way in which sympathetic appre'
citation is made to give way to base
i~nnuendO.
Washington. Aug. s, 1908.
"The retirement from active service
by the President. August 8. 1909. OF
ant General Nelson a. Miles
United States army. by operation OF
law. under the provisions of the Act OF
Congress approved June 80. 1882. is an
nounced. Lieutenant General Miles viii
proceed to his home. The travel en-
Joined is necessary for the public ser
vice.
by order of Secretary of War.
III. c.. CORBIN,