Publication: The Werner Company, 1896, Chicago and New York
First Edition, Second Issue. Publisher's Deluxe, full-morocco Presentation Binding. 4to. "Major-General" on the Portrait Frontispiece. "Copiously Illustrated with Graphic Pictures by Frederic Remington and Other Eminent Artists". The illustrations are both on plates and throughout the text and include some group portrait photographs and the photographic portrait of General Miles as frontispiece. Publisher's best and deluxe binding, gilt floral vine endpapers, and a.e.g. [8], 591 pp. After his service in the Civil War, General Miles played a highly important role in the United States Army's Western activities. He was involved with nearly all of the major campaigns against the Indians of the Great Plains, including campaigns against the Sioux, Comanche, Kiowa ,Cheyenne, Nez Perce, and the Apaches, as well as lesser campaigns. These recollections are nearly entirely of those Western activities; the Civil War being discussed in only two of the books forty-four chapters. The work includes a discussion of the Pre-Colombian period, as well as chapters on Indian character, law, religion, and eloquence. Among the extensive number of topics discussed can be found writings on Western game animals, the campaigns in Texas and New Mexico, the Kiowas, Comanches and Sioux, the disastrous "last stand" of General Custer, the effects of said massacre, the Cheyennes, the Ogallalas, Sitting Bull, Utah and the Mormons, Alaska, Arizona, the Apache of the Southwest, the move into California and the state of Western transportation. The work is greatly enhanced by the fine Western artwork of Frederic Remington, as well as others. The illustrations are every bit as copious as the title-page promises. Wounded four times and recipient of the Medal of Honor, General Miles is among the most important and influential officers in the history of the American West. This copy has been rebacked in black leather, with original front and rear panels retained. Some scuffing to edges with some cosmetic repair. Gilt on front panel is clean and bright. A very good copy of this rare Presentation Binding. Nice handwritten and signed presentation by Nelson A. Miles to his friend, Nathan Straus, future developer of Macy's. Protected in a custom slipcase with title and year of publication on leather label on spine.
Inventory Number: 53139