The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-10-05
GEN. NELSON A. MILES.
Some of the Peculiarities of the Soldier Who
Bagged Wicked Geronimo.

Some of the Peculiarities of the Soldier Who
Bagged Wicked Geronimo.
7. G. Crawford. in New York World
Gen. Nelson A. Miles. the successful captor of
Geronimo, is regarded by his associates as the
luckiest man in the army Certainly he is the
most successful. He has an absolute confidence
IN himself, and has never yet undertaken any
thing in the line of his profession where he has
not succeeded. When he was assigned to the
task of capturing Geronimo. those who knew
him were perfectly confident that ne would sue
coed, although General Crook, one of the
most skiliful Indian fighters, had after
years of effort failed. General Miles is a Demo
crat, and commended himself to the Presidents
attention during a visit to Washington at in
auguration time He then sought to impress
the President with his plan for the settlement of
the Indian question so that the Indians should
cease to be an object of expense and source OF
trouble to the government. General Miles be-
lieves in the adjustment of all Indian reserva-
tons, the breaking up of tribal relations and
the placing of them upon lands to which they
would hold the title in severalty. He would sus-
tain the Indians at the beginning of the expert
ment, but would give them to understand that
they would have to shift for themselves after
that period had elapsed.
The President was so favorably ipsASessed
with General Miles that he gave his plans great
attention Thsfact that General Miles bad been
successful in making the Oregon reservation In
dams self-sustaning after trial period of five
could have been offered. General Miles's later
success will entitle him all the more to the con-
fdence of the President, as the latter was
very much in earnest in his desire to have the
Apache ouGrages ended. 1t is certain that
General Miles in the future will be the leading
army authority upon the subject of the treat
ment of the Indians General Miles is a student
OF public questions outside of military channels
Ii wa were to have war to morrow he would
speedily develop as a great figure. He is one of
the few officers of the who having had oil
the experience of the great war of the Rebellion,
Is yet young. He was ma jor- general in the
army of the United States at twenty-four years
of age, in the closing year of the rebellion. He
Is now over forty five years of age and is of
the youngest OF the brigadier generals 1t is
only question of time when he will succeed,
by legitimate promotion, to the command of the
army of the United States.
General Miles has absolute command over his
nerves 1t would be impossible to starte him
so that he would show signs of perturbation
upon his stocal face. He has as much com
mand over his features as any of the Indians of
the far border An officer of his staff in speak
ing to me the other day of the great natural con-
troll of General Miles related an incident which
occurred during the garrison life at Fort Leav
enwortn. He said they were all busy at work in
General Miles's Office. They were seated about
long table in large room, whose numerous
windows were all open. The day was warm. mild
and quiet Suddenly, without an instant of pre-
liminary warning to the officers, who were busy
with their work, a regular cyclone of wind thun-
der and rain burst with roar and terrific crash
upon the building Doors were slammed and
papers swept clean from every desk in second
the quiet light of the room as suddenly
transformed into dull gloom The lightning
that followed was dazzling while the thunder
was incessant and loud as the roar of artillery
The nervous shock occasioned by this change
was shown by the perfect paralysis for the mo-
ment of the staff officers. One LIEUTENANT was
so startled that he fell over backwards. But
General Miles never moved lifted his
head. He did not stop writing the letter upon
which he was engaged. His only remark to
direct an orderly near by to close the windows.
General Miles has many profound admirers
among the Indians. They like his dignity, his
self-command and his absolute adherence to his
word. They trust him absolutely. have been
told that Geronimo has said after comforting with
his captor that the bitterness of defeat and cap
ture softened when he came to see this great
chief. Army officers FOND of discounting
Miies's many successes by speaking of his luck.
But while it may be true that he has had more
favorable opportunities than many others, it is
equally true that he has always had the ability
to take the fullest possible advantage of every
opportunity offered. If this country should have
war within the next ten twelve years. Gen.
Nelson A. Miles, who graduated from Boston
store into the army in 1861, would in all prob
ability be its principal hero He has the ripe
ability, tried courage and the vigor Of youth so
necessary to make great military name