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369 Conclusion Ileft Washington early in May 1866 for my old home in Youngstown, Ohio, where, after visiting friends [and] recalling to mind familiar scenes and associations of bygone days, I again rejoined my family at Jacksonville , Illinois. Without making any arrangements in the way of business, I quietly awaited the passage of the bill for the reorganization of the army and action of the War Department as to my expected appointment as colonel of cavalry in the regular army. My commission as colonel of the 10th U.S. Cavalry was duly received and accepted, to take rank from July 28, 1866. Upon its receipt, I reported for duty to Major General Hancock at St. Louis and was ordered thence to Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, and there organized my regiment. After nearly a quarter of a century of active duty on the frontier, where I was constantly coming in contact with the most warlike and savage Indians of the plains, I was, in accordance with law, retired from active service, July 8, 1890, while in command of the Department of Arizona, with my headquarters at Los Angeles, California. I then [held] the rank and grade of brigadier and brevet major general, U.S. Army. Upon my retirement, Major General Nelson A. Miles,1 then commanding the Military Division of the Pacific, and at this writing in command of the United States Army with headquarters at Washington, D.C., assumed the command of the Department of Arizona, in addition to his other duties . Immediately upon his arrival at Los Angeles, the general took occasion , unsolicited, to hand me a communication which is retained among my papers and highly prized [July 8, 1890]: In accordance with the Act of Congress in which officers of the Army are retired from active service at a given age, and the orders of the President thereon, it becomes my duty to relieve you of the command of the Department of Arizona and temporarily assume the duties of that department. In doing so I desire to express to you the regret that the service loses one of the most distinguished and zealous officers, and at the same time to convey to you my Conclusion • 370 expression of good will and appreciation of your long, faithful and valuable services to the Republic. At a time when the existence of the Government was in serious peril your gallant and meritorious services were of immeasurable value to the country. To a remarkable and distinguished war record you have added twenty-five years of service on a remote frontier in command of one of the cavalry regiments and the most important military departments of the country; you have rounded out your military career and completed a term of service of honor and one that is pleasing to all patriots, and must be gratifying to you and yours, and that will be a credit of honor to your name for all time. It is possible that a history of my experiences in connection with important events occurring during the period of my long service in the army on the extreme western frontier may hereafter be written for publication —provided the foregoing record of my services, experiences, and recollection of events connected with the War of the Rebellion are published and favorably and kindly received by an indulgent public. In conclusion, I shall merely quote the final paragraph of my last official report, made to Major General Nelson A. Miles under date of July 1, 1890, while I was in command of the Department of Arizona at Los Angeles: In closing this report past associations and vague conceptions of the future are strangely intermingled with emotions of pleasure and pain, for while looking forward with satisfaction at being freed from the cares and responsibilities of active service, I am impressed with the deepest regret at being separated from those to whom I have become so greatly attached. It is a satisfaction, however, to believe that our social and official relations have been so friendly, that it will be pleasant to recall them and that the sentiments of mutual regard which bind us together are strong enough to prove enduring in the face of separation. While cheerfully submitting to the law, which is alike applicable to all officers of the Army, it is well to know that my health remains unimpaired , and that vigor will give zest to the enjoyments which may yet fall to my lot. Conscious of...

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