Gen. Nelson A. Miles

HE RECENT PltOmotion of Gen. Nelson Appleton Miles to succeed Gen. 0. O. Iloward, retired, as commander of the Department of the East, meets with approval in army circles as well as in New York bociety. Gen. l[ües is as big a favorite in society as he is among the battle scarred veterans who have followed him ever since the mobilization of the volunteer Army of the Potoinac in 1861. Nelson A. Miles was born of Irish parentage at Westminister, Mass., Aug 8, 1839. His father was a soldier before him, having served in the revolution, and it is quite natural that the son should inherit soldierly traits. These traits beeame manifest when the guns of the confederaey were trained upon Fort Sumpter. At the first tap of the drum he raised a company of volunteers at his own expense and offered his services to the state. For some reason or other his services were declined; but true patriotism knows no discouragement. He made a similar offer to New York and was accepted. Then began the military career of one greatest soldiers that America has yet produced. He entered the service at the age of 21, and served from the beginning of the rebellion until its close in the volunteer service, rising from the rank of a subaltern to that of major-general. He received four brevets for gallantry and distinguished service and took part in many hard fought battles of the war. He commanded the largest división of the Army of the Potomac, and at one time, at the age of 28, was in command of 25,000 men. He was engaged in the battles of the Península, before Richmond and at Antietam and in every battle of the Potomac, with one exeeption, until the surrender of Lee at Appomattox court house. He was distinguished in the battles of Fair Oaks, Malvern Hill, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Old Wilderness, Spottsylvania court house, Ream's station, Richmond campaigns of 1864 and many other important battles of the war. He was thrice vvounded and at the battle of Chancellorsville was borne from the field with what was supposed to be a mortal wound through the body. At the close of the war he was a commissioned colonel of the Fortieth United States infantry and was shortly afterward trausferred to the Fifth infantry. His service sinee the war has been scarcely less distinguished. He was promoted brigadier general in i December, 18SS), and major general in April, 1890. His services ir the Indian country have been of inestimable valué to the country, and the remarkable success of his campaigns hasprobably been unequalled in the history of Indian warfare. He defeated the Cheyennes, Kiowes and Commanches in the Staked Plains country, and in 1875 and 1870 he subjugated the hostüe Sioux and other Indians in Montana, driving Sitting Buil across the frontier. Xle captured Chief Josepli and his band of Nez Perces, after a hard fought bat! tle of our days in Montana. In 1878 he intercepted and captured Elk Hora and his band on the edge of the Yellowstone Park. In 1886 he accomplished what seemed a well nigh impossible task of running down and bringing in Gerónimo and Natehez and the band of Apaches that had made the en tire southwest uninhabitable. For his services he received the thanks of the legislatures of Kansas, Montana, New Mexico and Arizona, and was presented with a sword of honor at son m 1887. Gen. Miles isnowthe second general officer in rank in the regular arniy, is still a young man, and in the full strength and vigor of rnanhood. When Gen. Schoffield retires in a few months, Gen. Miles will succeed to the post of oommander-in-chief of the army of the United States. He ■will have several years to serve before he reaches the ag-e limit at whieh the law requires soldiers to retire.