The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1895-01-17
STORIES OF GENERAL mics.
In Range OF Hundred RIEes-A Di.Ap-
pointing Hear Hunt.
lspeeial Corrvspondencel

the teeling toward General Miles recently
transferred from this city To New York,
ON tho part of those who disapprovsd OF
ais policy during the strikes OF last sum
rner, there Is no doubt that no was very
popular with the society people and among
the business men OF this city nor that his
departure hence was greatly regretted In
many quarters Perhaps the Siucerest re-
gret Of all was felt by those members OF
his stan left behind, for DO l. a fayorite at
all tho posts no has ever commanded. Ger
tainly those who were selected TO 20 with
h1n we're genuinely enVted by THAR al
l0~1 There = not an efAcsr or soldier
psoqAely who has eNet AAa psrsonai knowi-
edge Of the general that VIA not tsstify to
his bravery and hiS eoolnesS Hero Il q
story that has often been told az Fort
sheridan as an instance thereof:
On one occasion during the Nez PeEce
war, some years back, Chief Joseph, the
noted savage leader, was captured by Gen
eral Miles forces. This caused great e1-
element among the redskins, who Thought
their captain would surely be killed, but
Bear Coat, a. the general Is known in
the far west believed ne knew u trick
twice as good as killing a captured foe
He sent word TO the Nez PerceS that no
harm should coIne To Joseph, but that no
would be held as a hostage for the future
behavior OF the band II there was further
trouble, however Chief Joseph would have
to die. This scheme promised To work very
well, for although the hostiles were locat-
ed among LOT OF rocks from which they
could not easily be dislodged, they were
without a leader and they seemed anxious
not TO do anything 20 cause Chief Joseph's
death. However, they sent word that
they couldn' decide i'm u minute and asked
time TO consider the proposition.
This was granted, hostilities were sus-
pended on both sides, and il was firmly
believed both by Bear Coat and all his offi-
GERS that tho trouble was practically over.
The rocks among which the Indians were
intrenched were on somewhat lower
ground than that occupied by the whites
and afforded excellent cover for the saw
ages, who. crouched behind the fragments,
could watch every movement of Miles
men without themselves being seen at all
This was not fully understood by all the
officers, and one OF them, Captain jerome,
son OF Lawrence jerome OF New York,
strolled down in the neiehborhood OF the
rocks. There he was captured, and word
was sent Co Miles that the Indians had q
hostage as well as he, and that as Chief
Joseph was SO Captain Jerome would DO
treated An exchange might be effected,
too, if Bear Coat thought best, and then
both sides could do as they liked about
continuing hostilities.
It was clear all round that the \ez
Perces had tho whiphand for the time be-
ing at least, and General Miles at once ar
ranged for an exchange, requesting one of
his aids. Captain Maus, 10 escort the In
dian down by the rocks and bring back
Captain Jerome. Maus made ready TO 60
without delay, although several hundred
rife barrels were TO be seen projecting
from behind the Jagged pieces OF rock. and
together the officer and the chief went
down
There was no danger whatever to me-"
SAYS Captain MauS in telling the story,
for could place Joseph between myself
and the threatening rifles. Besides it
would be no object TO the savages to kill q
minor officer, especially as it would be
sure 20 bring on q general engagement.
But the commander was q trif1e anxious
about my safety. He feared would 60
700 far down into the valley and that by
some trick the savages would manage TO
capture me after they had got possession OF
their chief So the general stepped out in
full sight Of the redskins, making a splen-
did mark for their rifles II they had cared
TO use them, and called out:
Don't go too far, Mausl Make them
come half way!
Then, fearing that had not heard or
would not heed his warning, I suppose,
he followed us down almost to the half
way place where the exchange was to be
effected in order to see that should run
no risks. All this time he was in range
of hundreds of rifles, behind every one OF
which there was a redskin, and 1t has al
ways been a wonder TO me that they did
not fire With their commanding officer
killed it might well have been inferred
that our soldiers would be demoralized
and fall an easy prey TO the savage. have
always considered that act on the part OF
General Miles one OF the brGvest in the
career Of an exceedingly brave man.
Many other stories are told Of General
Miles illustrative OF his pers oral bravery,
which was often displayed during the
time he was in charge OF the Pine Ridge
agency. At this place the Indians felt an
intense personal animosity toward the
commanding officer, and there were many
predictions that he would be treacherously
murdered by some one Of them before he
got away from there. notwithstanding
all this he persistently refused 70 place
sentinels about his headquarters and re-
ceived unchallenged every savage who
came To him until one Of his aids con
cluded it was time for the general TO stop
risking his life, and himself placed senti-
nels in front Of the headquarters. The
fear on the part OF the aid was that some
Indian would conceal a rife, shortened by
cutting of the barrel, under his coat, and
though aware that his own life must sure
Iy be forfeited shoot the general during a
visit made ostcnsibIy on proper business.
Not all the stories told about General
Miles pertain 70 his Bravery, however. He
is mighty hunter, and every year goes
out looking for big game. In New Mexico
last year or the year before he went out
with quito party, and they had pack OF
hounds. A big silver tip bear was started
and pursued for miles by the general. just
behind the dogs. RE was greatly interest
ed in getting a shot at that bear, and 1t
seemed very probable that he would sue
ceed, but be was disappointed, after all, for
when at Ut the creature was so tired out
that in a few more minutes the general
must have caught mp IL ran across the
track Of a couple of cowboys, and they
ropcd IT, When the general arrived, they
had the bear stakcd down. had cut its