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.

By May 1877 many of the hostile Indian groups who had participated in the Battle of the Little Big Horn the previous summer had been brought under U.S. Army control. One hostile camp remained—that of Lame Deer, a very volatile chief. General Miles assumed command of several companies of cavalry and infantry and located the camp. The command took several days to approach it under cover of night, without being discovered. At dawn the soldiers attacked, and most of the Indians fled. Miles and some men approached Lame Deer, who had remained at the camp, and offered his hand. Just as the general and the chief clasped hands, a scout raised his rifle to cover them. Lame Deer panicked, thinking he was about to be shot; he grabbed his rifle and fired at General Miles, striking another soldier. Remington shows this moment in his illustration. In the ensuing melee, the chief and several of his followers were killed.