Evening star., 1940-12-01
Fifty Years Ago
In the Stur

Much concern was felt 80 years ago
on the score of possible Indian out
break in the Sioux country
Gen. Miles under the leadership Of
Defended Sitting Bull. In The Star of
November Is, 1890, 1t is
stated that Gen. Nelson A. Miles. U. S. A.,
then commanding the Division of the
Pacific, had been instructed to investi-
gate the situation. The Star said:
Military men-anonymously and
otherwise-have been discussing Gen.
Miles and his character during the past
few days, but the civilian has not had
much to say. Last night one OF the
wealthiest cattle owners and mining
operators in the West was in the lobby
of the Arlington when q Star reporter
asked him what he thought of the Indian
scare of Gen. Miles.
"For heavens sake don't ask me
anything about Miles said he. I have
known him for 80 years, and If my name
ever goes out in connection with my
opinion of him will be regarded every
where as q Miles boomer and there will
be stories to the effect that am putting
up money to advance the Generals po-
htical interests. DON'T say you ever
spoke to me-
"rBut as q frontiersman and an old
civilian warrior insisted the reporter,
what do you think of Gen. Miles course
in these disturbances?'
att is not the course of the General,
but of one or two of his self-constituted
critics which should be considered was
the reply. He needs no defense and it
is q mistake for his admirers, of whom
he has legions, to make any. His mill
tary history is a part of that of his
country, for from the beginning of the
war of the rebellion to the present time
his loyalty has been as unwavering as
his bravery has been sublime. No Murat
or Ney could be more cool on the battle
field. I remember in his stubborn fight
with Chief Joseph, whom he captured
he was the only officer who was mounted
and who remained continuously exposed
to the hot fire of the Indians. He
seemed to be everywhere, until his off,
GERS, fearing for their own safety if his
life was lost, implored him to dismount
and not so expose himself. He was the
only visible target for the deadly Nez
Perce aim, yet he seemed to bear q
charmed life.
"Did you ever see him? A handsome
man, fully feet in height and typical
soldier, intensely laborious and ener-
getic, with a love for his profession
which is almost q religion, and sincerely
ambitious only for the Army, to which
he has devoted the best years of his
eventful life. The Indians respect him
and the settlers of every part of an ex-
posed frontier adore his very name;
legislatures have often, by compliment
tary resolutions, testified their appre-
citation of his services. He is superb
soldier in every sense Of the term. You
remember how only recently he promptly
and secretly massed his forces at every
threatened point, restoring confidence to
the agents and settlers as well as to the
friendly Indians. No one could help
admiring such strategic precaution
and according 1t full praise. And the
prompt action of his superiors-the
President, Secretary of War and the
general Of the Army-in not only ap-
proving his course, but in commencing
it and offering him the whole Army. If
necessary, shows the confidence they
have in him at headquarters.
"It will undoubtedly require the ut
most prudence to prevent an outbreak
Miles believes in prevention rather than
cure, but in peace or war we frontiers
men think he is the man for the occa-
sion.
"T read an interview in Chicago pa
per-published originally In your Star,
believe-in which Miles was viciously
attacked. That's small business Such
disparagement ought not to be tolerated
by the War Department and is certainly
not conducive to what my soldier friends
term good order and military discipline.
"'Gen. Miles can stand such things
however unjust, for his position is Sc
cure. but the service cannot. Just
watch the course Of events in this dis
turbance. Eight or no fght. Miles win
do the right thing. and he win do 1t
WELL"