Nelson Appleton Miles was a United States Army officer who served in the American Civil War, the American Indian Wars and the Spanish–American War. From 1895 to 1903, Miles served as the last Commanding General of the United States Army, before the office was transformed into the Chief of Staff of the Army.

The Commanding General of the United States Army was the title given to the service chief and highest-ranking officer of the United States Army, prior to the establishment of the Chief of Staff of the United States Army in 1903. During the American Revolutionary War (1775–1783), the title was Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army. In 1783, the title was simplified to Senior Officer of the United States Army. In 1821, the title was changed to Commanding General of the United States Army. The office was often referred to by various other titles, such as "Major General Commanding the Army" or "General-in-Chief".