The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1925-05-15
HEART ATTACK
TAKES AGED
ARMY LEADER
Brilliant Indian Fighter
Made Great Record in
u. S. Forces
CAME UP FROM RANKS
Campaigned Against Sioux in
North West; Conquered
Sitting Bull

Nelson A. Miles, famous American
soldier, died here today.
Death occurred while General Miles
was attending a circus. The general
apparently had been in the best of
health and his death was unexpected.
Despite his advanced age, General
Miles had taken unusual interest in
political affairs and until today,
when he started for the circus, there
was no hint Of illness.
The old Indian fighter was in the
third row of seats when his heart
failed. He fell into the arms Of Dr.
A. W. Craig, who was directly behind
him. Dr.. Craig removed him outside
the tent where he died.
The general was accompanied By
several grand children. The OPEN
ing pageant of the circus had just
started when he collapsed. Those
sitting near him did not recognize
the distinguished soldier and the
news of his death was not generally
known until the performance was
over.
Brilliant Soldier
Lieutenant General Nelson A.
Miles. brilliant Indian fighter and
one of the most picturesque and dis
tinguished leaders in American mil
itary history, was one of the "boy
generals" of the Civil War. AT the
age of % he had risen from the
rank Of first lieutenant of volun-
teers to that Of Major General, and
was commanding an entire army di-
vision of $4,000 men.
General Miles, who at the peak Of
his military career was Command
ing General of the army, was one Of
the few high ranking officers of the
regular establishment to attain his
position without West Point train.
ing. and also enjoyed the distinction
of being among the still smaller
group to be honored with the rank
Of Lieutenant General.
From a clerical position in a Bos-
ton business house, he entered the
army ut the age of %; participated
in more than 80 of the severest en-
gagements of the Civil War; was
tour times ut the point Of death
from wounds. and emerged from the
great struggle the possessor Of many
enviable citations for bravery and
distinguished service. Continuing
in the army, he fought and pursued
Indians on the Great Plains for
more than 20 years; led the army of
occupation in Porto Rico during the
Spanish-American war, and although
long retired when the United States
entered the World War, he was ready
and eager to participate once again
in the service to which his life had
been devoted.
Wanted To Serve
1t was the saddest disappointment
of a long and adventurous career
when, despite his best efforts, Gen.
eral Miles was not recalled to active
service in 1917. He had been retired
in 1903 upon reaching the age lin
it, but when the United States en-
tered the European war, he asked to
be sent to Siberia with the American
troops. 1t was decided, however, that
an exception could not be made in
his case, hence his last military SER
vice was in 1916, when he presided
over the Medal of Honor Board
which reviewed the list Of officers
and men who had been honored by
the nation with that decoration.
General Miles received his first
military training at the hands of a
former officer of the French army who
eked out livelihood in Boston by
teaching number of young men the
tactics employed by the French
army. 1t was quite natural that his
ambitions should enter on the army,
for he sprang from long line Of
fighting colonists on the paternal
side. The family traced its ances-
try back to the Rev. John Myles, a
fighting parson," who, upon the out
break of king Philips War" in
1876, girded on his sword and led
the Colonists against the Indians.
Captain Myle's home was fortified
by the pioneers, and from there he
led many subsequent forays against
the red men.
Daniel Miles and Joab Miles, great
grandfather and grandfather, respec-
lively, of General Nelson A. Miles,
fought in the Revolutionary War and
| were 'in at the death" when York
town fell. His father, Daniel, also
was fighter.
Soldier From Youth
Young Nelson himself was fight
err and Indian vanquisher from his
earliest youth. While at school he
was never SO happy as when leading
his comrades against imaginary "In-
dams, who were always upper.most
in the young soldiers mind. His
elder brother. Daniel. who taught
him in school. used thia military
predilection to calm the boys pran-
kish moments. He was sore pressed
to discipline Nelson until he used
military terms. Being kept after
school or thrsshed had little effect,
but when the teacher said "Nelson.
you have disobsyed the command Of
your superior officer, aud are . pri-
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