Description:

Miles Nelson

Nelson Miles, Esteemed Indian fighter, co-signed letter from a colored regiment, the 40th Infantry

 

Bi-fold signed letter on lightly lined paper, displayed opened to a size of 15.5" x 9.5". Written on letterhead of Head Quarters Co. B 40th Inf'y / Goldsboro, N.C. Dated "Dec 17th, 1868". Letter written in conjunction the "status that all records pertaining to unsettled amounts of the late … were turned over by him to his successors in Command of the Post of Raleigh', and Signed off by Nelson Miles, "Nelson Miles",  on Verso of last page (displayed to the front of the frame). Set off in a spectacular framed display to an overall size of 20" x 24.25".  The piece has three matted windows displaying the letter, and the portraits of Nelson Miles and Edward Hinks. Letter near fine with expected folds. Not examined out of the frame.

 

Nelson Miles lead an esteemed career as an Indian fighter but perhaps his most celebrated victory came in 1886, when he secured the peaceful surrender of Geronimo and a small band of renegade Apache warriors. Although many other officers had played a role in encouraging Geronimo’s surrender, Miles characteristically accepted full credit for winning the surrender of the last hostile Indian in the U.S.

 

He was one the most successful but controversial officers in the Plains Indian Wars. Unlike many of his future colleagues in the army officer corps, Miles was not born into a life of privilege. As a teen, Miles worked as a clerk, spending his few moments of leisure pursuing a disciplined program of self-improvement through lectures, night school, and reading. When a war between the states seemed imminent in 1860, he concentrated his efforts on studying military tactics. He joined the Union Army as soon as the conflict erupted, and his gift for making effective tactical use of terrain won him rapid advances in rank. In 1869,  Miles assumed command of the 5th Infantry at Fort Hays, Kansas, and began his career as an Indian fighter. Miles was a courageous and bold officer, with an outstanding ability to organize and supply a large army. He was also arrogant and pompous, and he shamelessly maneuvered to advance his own career at the expense of his fellow officers. He considered many of his colleagues incompetent fools—especially those who had graduated from West Point-and was equally disliked in return.

 

The letter penned by Post Commander of the 40th United States Infantry, noted being relieved from duty and  referencing that the status that all records pertaining to unsettled amounts of the late … were turned over by him to his successors in Command of the Post of Raleigh. His regiment, the 40th United Stated Colored Infantry was an infantry regiment that originally served in the Union Army during the American Civil War.

A fantastic display piece!

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