Miles, Nelson Appleton

Nelson Appleton (1839-), an American soldier. He was born at Westminster, Massachusetts. In youth he was a clerk in a Boston store. At the outbreak of the Civil War he entered the army as a lieutenant in the 22d Massachusetts regiment. He was with McClellan in the Peninsular Campaign. He was with the Army of the Potomac constantly until the close of the war. He came out with the rank of major-general of volunteers. At the close of the war he was made a colonel of infantry in the regular army. He was promoted repeatedly. In 1895 he was placed in chief command, and in 1900 he was given the rank of lieutenant-general. In 1903 he was retired from active service. Miles' chief reputation is that of an Indian fighter. From 1874 to 1886 he was engaged in chastising the Cheyennes, Comanches, Sioux, Nez Perces, and Apaches of the Great Plains country extending from Montana to Arizona. As a daring rider and strategist he was matched against Chief Joseph, Geronimo, and Sitting Bull. For his services he was thanked formally by the legislatures of Arizona, New Mexico, Montana, and Kansas. He led the American troops in the Porto Rican campaign of 1898. During the last year or two of his service General Miles fell somewhat under a cloud. He discussed Admiral Dewey and other public men as well as public measures, unbecomingly, it was thought. Military etiquette requires an officer to maintain silence with respect both to his superiors and his inferiors. See Army; Comanche; Custer