superintendent of the United States military academy, 1882-87 was promoted brigadier-general, United States army, April 16, 1887 commanded the Department of the Missouri, 1887-91, and 1895-97 commanded the Department of Dakota, 1891-95; was promoted major-general, United States army, April 25, 1895, and commanded the Department of the East with headquarters at Governors Island, New York, 1897-98.
At the outbreak of the Spanish-American war he assisted in preparations for defense of the Atlantic coast, and he was appointed to the command of the United States forces in the Philippines as military governor in May, 1898. When the armies of Spain surrendered, he was summoned to Paris to assist the American Peace Commissioners assembled there October, 1898. He was retired by age limit, June 16, 1900. He became a member of the Union and New York clubs, New York city, and of the Metropolitan, Chevy Chase and Country clubs, Washington, District of Columbia. He never voted. He was married in 1900 to Laura, daughter of Norman and Caroline (Caton) Williams of Chicago. His parents were Methodists and he became a member of the Protestant Episcopal church. He finds amusement and relaxation in farming, and in playing bridge whist and golf. His message to American youth who wish to succeed is "to do one's duty all the time." He is the author of "Sheridan in the Shenandoah Valley," in Battles and Leaders of the Civil War, vol. iv, pp. 500, 521.
