Personal Recollections And Observations Of General Nelson A. Miles Embracing A Brief View Of The Civil War Or From New England To The Golden Gate And The Story Of His Indian Campaigns With Comments On The Exploration, Development And Progress Of Our Great Western Empire

NELSON A. MILES

Publication: The Werner Company, 1896, Chicago and New York

First edition. First issue. Thick 8vo. Pictorial cloth, decorated front and rear endpapers, vii [blank], 590 pp. "Copiously illustrated with graphic pictures by Frederic Remington and other eminent artists." Over 200 illustrations. Miles joined the Union Army in September, 1861, at the age of 22, and was commissioned a First Lieutenant of the 22nd Massachusetts Infantry. He enjoyed an outstanding career in the Civil War. He fought courageously at Antietam, and was wounded 4 times at Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, and other major engagements. He earned a medal of honor for Chancellorsville, and shortly thereafter was promoted to Brigadier General. At wars end, Miles rank was Major General of Volunteers, but in order to continue his military career he had to accept a rank of Colonel in the regular Army. An exceedingly ambitious man, Miles did everything he could to court favor with those he believed could further his career. In 1868 he married Mary Sherman, niece of General Sherman and of Ohio Senator John Sherman. His first Indian campaign was in 1874 when he led a column in the Red River War. He continued a career in numerous Indian war campaigns; a winter campaign against Sitting Bull in Montana in 1876, driving Sitting Bull into Canada; against Chief Joseph and the Nez Perce in Montana in 1877, preventing them from escaping into Canada and accepting Chief Joseph's surrender; against the Bannocks in 1878; against Geronimo and the final remnants of his band of Apaches; and he managed the explosive situation at Wounded Knee immediately after the battle or massacre there in 1890. A shameless, and often ruthless, self-promoter, Miles alienated his peers, and sometimes the public, with his incessant pursuit of a higher rank. He retired in 1903, at the age of 64, having attained rank of Lieutenant General. A controversial man, Nelson Miles' autobiography tells of his full military career, with some attention given to his Civil War career, but the majority focuses on an exciting and eventful career fighting Indians in the West. Minor rubbing to spine ends and corners else a near fine, bright, tight copy. Very scarce first issue and an exceptional copy.

Inventory Number: 51770