The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1903-08-14
GEN. MILES
Farewell to the Army Is Issued by the
Retiring Commander.

'h - sSSASA ~ shO
Retiring Commander.
Washington, Aug. 11.-General Miles
farewell address follows:
General Orders, No. 116.-Headquarters
OF the Army, Washington, August 5. 1903.
act Of congress Of June 80, 1882. the un-
ldersigned will retire from the active ser
vice August 8, 1908.
army OF the United States, to which he
was assigned by the president October 2,
1 cSs ne hereby acknowledges his appre-
orfcers and soldiers during the past
,eyentful years.
To those who were his companions and
associates during one of the greatest of
al wars he takes pleasure in expressing
MS qualification that they have lived
through the trials and niger of long
service to witness the results of their for
,titude. herotsm n unselhsh devotion to
the welfare Of the country. They also in
la most commendable manner exemplified
ITO the younger generation Of soldiers
those principles of discipline and patriot
Ism which make the army. the protector
and defender, and never the menace, of
the nation and its liberties.
Inc time and occasion are considered
sopportune for expressing to the army a
few thoughts concerning it's past and that
which may effect its future welfare. It
is from the best Impressions and in1u-
iences of the past that the most desirable
results may be realized in the future.
Unswerving devotion to our government
and the principles upon which it was es-
,tablfshed and has been maintained is es
,sential to the efficiency Of the national
forces, and especially IS this so in a dem
ocratic government where the individual
in order to be a perfect soldier, must
first be a true citizen.
The boast that every soldier Of a great
nation carried a marshaTs baton in his
~knapsack is in q higher sense more than
;equaled in significance by the fact that
every American soldier personifies SOW
ereign citizenship and may, by his own
conduct, exemplify impartial Justice to
the results of the highest liberty to those
who have been strangers to it, thereby
aiding to secure for his country a moral
Influence not otherwise ~attatnable.
During the darkest hour of our history
the first commander Of the American
forces demonstrated the grandeur and no
evil influences then p%ervading the army
and by manifesting the strongest conf
dence and faith in the ultimate Justice and
OF wisdom uttered at Newburg, 12o years
ago had the effect Of inspiring "unexam-
pied patriotism and patient virtue, rising
superior to the pressure of the most COM
plicated sufferings."
Washington's Principles Maintained
that the army has maintained these prin-
ciPles for more than a century.
ing Washington have, by their example,
influence and orders, engendered and
maintained the highest degree of effici-
1872 ASSAbAAA1 Gill -
Since Its organization the army has
been charged with a great variety of re-
i Spen SD all sub9rdinate to defen nd
rights of its citizens.
In the discharge of It's manifold duties
the army has confronted enemies repre-.
sentlng every stage of human develop.
ment, from the highest civilization We
obtained to savagery and barbarism. II
mas ever been its duty to observe in wal
those chiva!ric and humane principles BY
which inevitable horrors are so greatly
mitigated, while, by unyielding prosecu.
ton Of warfare against armed forces, its
All honorable activity and life for the
army must exist in the we'll defined lines
OF patriotism, untarnlshed honor, sterl
ing integrity, impartial justice, obedience
to rightful authority and incessant war
fare against armed enemies. Always tt
maintain truth, honor and Justice re
equally as important as fortitude in bat
tie: Drill, discipline and instruction arr
but preparatory Tor the perfection and eff
nclency OF an army.
The events Of recent years have PLACED
upon the army a new obligation and al
opportunity for a broader exemplificatio1
of Its country's principles.
The United States army is now brough
into daily communication with millions o
people, to whom It's individual member
OF every grade are the opponents of Amer
lean civilization. A serious duty and
great honor are now presented to eve
officer and soldier, namely, to exemplif!
" lhooo Will whom lie COuQeS Ill cOuldC
our country's principles of equal and ex
act Justice, immunity from violence
equality before the law and the peaceful
use and possession Of his own.
Marked changes at different times hav,
occurred in the strength and organiza
ton Of the army, resulting from divers
influences, and various experiments hav
been tried. Time has rectihed errors ii
the past, and will do so in the future. TIL
lieutenant general has faith that unde
all circumstances the army will maintain
Its high character, and. that its futur
will be as honorable and glorious as
been Its past.
Earnest solicitude and best wishes vii
ever follow the fortunes Of the army.
Nelson A. Miles,
Lieutenant General Commanding