When asked about the conduct of our troops in the late war, General
Miles answered: “Our soldiers fought bravely, but nothing else could
be expected from American soldiers. They have no superiors in the
field, and American history has shown that they can cope successfully
with any foe. Courage is a natural virtue with all Americans, and
the late war has shown that it has not been weakened any by years of
peace. There is no better material in the world for an army than the
young men who grow up in the cities and towns and on the farms of the
United States. I have already said that a young man who enters the army
should have education, and the intelligence of the average American
soldier is one of his most valuable traits. He is not merely a machine;
he is an intelligent machine. He is conscious of his duty and his
responsibilities.
“What do you think of the future of the army, General?”
General Miles replied deliberately: “The American people will never
have any occasion to be otherwise than proud of their army. It will
be found equal to every call that can possibly be made upon it, and
prepared to face any danger in defense of the nation.”