CHAPTER VIII.

LETTERS OF COMMENDATION FROM PROMINENT MILITARY MEN.

The following letter was received with a photograph of the hero of “The March to the Sea,” Gen. W. T. Sherman:

NEW YORK, December 25, 1886.

_To Col. William Cody_:

With the best compliments of one who in 1886 was guided by him up the Republican, then occupied by the Cheyennes and Arapahoes as their ancestral hunting-grounds; now transformed into farms and cattle ranches, in better harmony with civilization, and with his best wishes that he succeed in his honorable efforts to represent the scenes of that day to a generation then unborn.

W. T. SHERMAN, _General_.

HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE UNITED STATES,

WASHINGTON, D. C., January 7, 1887.

Col. William F. Cody was a scout and served in my command on the Western frontier for many years. He was always ready for duty, and was a cool, brave man, with unimpeachable character. I take pleasure in commending him for the many services he has rendered to the army, whose respect he enjoys for his manly qualities.

P. H. SHERIDAN, _Lieutenant-General_.

NEW YORK, December 28, 1886.

_Col. William F. Cody._

DEAR SIR: Recalling the many facts that came to me while I was adjutant-general of the Division of the Missouri under General Sheridan, bearing upon your efficiency, fidelity, and daring as a guide and scout over the country west of the Missouri River and east of the Rocky Mountains, I take pleasure in observing your success in depicting in the East the early life of the West.

Very truly yours, JAMES B. FRY, _Assistant Adjutant-General, Brevet-Major-General U. S. A._

LOS ANGELES, CAL., January 7, 1878.

_Col. William F. Cody._

DEAR SIR: Having visited your great exhibition in St. Louis and in New York City, I desire to congratulate you on the success of your enterprise. I was much interested in the various lifelike representations of Western scenery, as well as the fine exhibition of skilled marksmanship and magnificent horsemanship. You not only represent the many interesting features of frontier life, but also the difficulties and dangers that have been encountered by the adventurous and fearless pioneers of civilization. The wild Indian life as it was a few years ago will soon be a thing of the past, but you appear to have selected a good class of Indians to represent that race of people. I regard your exhibition as not only very interesting, but practically instructive. Your services on the frontier were exceedingly valuable. With best wishes for your success, believe me,

Very truly yours, NELSON A. MILES, _Brigadier-General U. S. A._

OMAHA, NEB., January 7, 1887.

_Hon. William F. Cody._

DEAR SIR: I take great pleasure in testifying to the very efficient service rendered by you “as a scout” in the campaign against the Sioux Indians during the year 1876. Also that I have witnessed your Wild West exhibition. I consider it the most realistic performance of the kind I have ever seen.

Very sincerely, your obedient servant, GEORGE CROOK, _Brigadier-General U. S. A._

“HE IS KING OF THEM ALL.”

HEADQUARTERS MOUNTED RECRUITING SERVICE, ST. LOUIS, MO., May 7, 1885.

_Maj. John M. Burke._

DEAR SIR: I take pleasure in saying that in an experience of about thirty years on the plains and in the mountains I have seen a great many guides, scouts, trailers, and hunters, and Buffalo Bill (W. F. Cody) is “king of them all.” He has been with me in seven Indian fights, and his services have been invaluable.

Very respectfully yours, EUGENE A. CARR, _Brevet-Major-General U. S. A._

UNITED STATES MILITARY ACADEMY, WEST POINT, N. Y., January 11, 1887.

... I have known W. F. Cody (“Buffalo Bill”) for many years. He is a Western man of the best type, combining those qualities of enterprise, daring, good sense, and physical endurance which made him the superior of any scout I ever knew. He was cool and capable when surrounded by dangers, and his reports were always free from exaggeration. He is a gentleman in a better sense of the word which implies character, and he may be depended on under all circumstances. I wish him success.

W. MERRITT, _Brevet-Major-General U. S. A._ _Late Major-General Volunteers._

WAR DEPARTMENT, ADJUTANT-GENERAL’S OFFICE, WASHINGTON, August 10, 1886.

_To whom it may concern_:

Mr. William F. Cody was employed as chief of scouts under Generals Sheridan, Custer, Crook, Miles, Carr, and others in their campaigns against hostile Indians on our frontier, and as such rendered very valuable and distinguished service.

S. S. DRUM, _Adjutant-General_.

WASHINGTON, D. C., February 8, 1887.

Mr. Cody was chief guide and hunter to my command when I commanded the district of North Platte, and he performed all his duties with marked excellence.

W. H. EMORY, _Major-General U. S. A._

HEADQUARTERS SEVENTH CAVALRY, FORT MEAD, D. T., February 14, 1887.

MY DEAR SIR: Your army career on the frontier, and your present enterprise of depicting scenes in the far West, are so enthusiastically approved and commended by the American people and the most prominent men of the United States Army, that there is nothing left for me to say. I feel sure your new departure will be a success.

With best wishes, I remain, yours truly, JAMES W. FORSYTH, _Colonel Seventh Cavalry_.

JERSEY CITY, 405 Bergen Avenue, February 7, 1887.

_Hon. Wm. F. Cody._

MY DEAR SIR: I fully, and with pleasure, indorse you as the veritable Buffalo Bill, United States scout, serving with the troops operating against hostile Indians, with whom you secured renown by your services as a scout and successful hunter. Your sojourn on the frontier at a time when it was a wild and sparsely settled section of the continent fully enables you to portray that in which you have personally participated--the pioneer, Indian fighter, and frontiersman. Wishing you every success, I remain,

Very respectfully yours, H. C. BANKHEAD, _Brigadier-General U. S. A._

HOTEL RICHMOND, WASHINGTON, D. C., January 9, 1887.

W. F. Cody (“Buffalo Bill”) was with me in the early days when I commanded a battalion of the Fifth Cavalry, operating against the hostile Sioux. He filled every position and met every emergency with so much bravery, competence, and intelligence as to command the general admiration and respect of the officers, and became chief of scouts of the department. All his successes have been conducted on the most honorable principles.

W. B. ROYALL, _Colonel Fourth Cavalry U. S. A._

HEADQUARTERS FIRST CAVALRY, FORT CUSTER, M. T.

I often recall your valuable services to the Government, as well as to myself, in years long gone by, especially during the Sioux difficulties, when you were attached to my command as chief of scouts. Your indomitable perseverance, incomprehensible instinct in discovering the trails of the Indians--particularly at night, no matter how dark or stormy--your physical powers of endurance in following the enemy until overtaken, and your unflinching courage, as exhibited on all occasions, won not only my own esteem and admiration, but that of the whole command. With my best wishes for your success, I remain, your old friend,

N. A. M. DUDLEY, _Colonel First Cavalry, Brevet-Brigadier-General U. S. A._

TALLAHASSE, FLA., January 12, 1887.

HON. WILLIAM F. CODY: I take great pleasure in recommending you to the public as a man who has a high reputation in the army as a scout. No one has ever shown more bravery on the Western plains than yourself. I wish you success in your proposed visit to Great Britain.

Your obedient servant, JNO. H. KING, _Brevet-Major-General U. S. A._

STATE OF NEBRASKA.

_To all whom these presents shall come, greeting_:

Know ye, that I, John M. Thayer, governor of the State of Nebraska, reposing special trust and confidence in the integrity, patriotism, and ability of the Hon. William F. Cody, on behalf and in the name of the State do hereby appoint and commission him as aide-de-camp of my staff, with the rank of colonel, and do authorize and empower him to discharge the duties of said office according to law.

In testimony I have hereunto subscribed my name and caused to be affixed the great seal of the State.

Done at Lincoln this 8th day of March, A. D. 1887.

GRAND SEAL OF THE STATE OF NEBRASKA, MARCH 1, 1887.

JOHN M. THAYER.

By the Governor: G. L. LAUR, _Secretary of State_.