Works of Art

During the time he was travelling to the West as an artist-correspondent for Harper’s, Remington’s work was noticed by Lieutenant General Nelson A. Miles, a capable and very ambitious U.S. Army commander. Miles frequently opened doors for Remington to be an “official artist” on numerous occasions, allowing him easy access to the officers and troops in the field. In return, Remington supported General Miles’ efforts to be noticed in the press and praised for his exploits, whether deserved or not. The culmination of this was the publication in 1896 of the Personal Recollections and Observations of General Nelson A. Miles, a weighty self-serving tome that was designed to help propel Miles to the presidency of the United States. The volume featured a great many illustrations by Remington, including full-page black and white reproductions taken from paintings. Fourteen of these illustrations were printed in rotogravure for a portfolio issued by the book’s publisher, the Werner Company, in 1898.

In September 1874 a detachment of six U.S. Cavalrymen carrying dispatches were suddenly surrounded by a hostile force of 125 Kiowas and Comanches on the open plains of Texas south of the Red River. Although three of them were wounded, one mortally, they managed to create a low entrenchment under heavy fire in a buffalo wallow. Here they held off the circling attackers from early morning until past darkness, using their rifles and pistols to defend themselves with deadly accuracy. At last, some time during the night, the Indians finally gave up the fight. Remington’s illustration shows the height of the battle, although it is doubtful any of the men actually exposed themselves in such fashion.