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Nelson Appelton Miles, great Indian fighter, was born in Westminster, Massachusetts on August 8th, 1839. When the Civil War broke out the 21 year old Miles was a crockery store clerk. Like many other young Northerners he joined the Union Army as a volunteer. He was to become involved in many of the decisive battles of the Civil War, including the battles of Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville and Appomatox. He distinguished himself as a brave soldier. His first encounter with the enemy came at Fair Oaks on May 31, 1862. He immediately got recognised for his bravery and was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel by his commander, General Oliver Otis Howard. At the Battle of Antietam, where he also distinguished himself, he was again promoted, this time to the rank of Colonel and given command of his regiment. He was wounded four times during the course of the war. By war’s end he had risen to the rank of Major General of Volunteers. He was to receive the Congressional Medal of Honor for his actions at Chancellorville.
At war’s end Miles decided to stay in the Army. He was to play a major role in the key encounters with the hostile Indians tribes over the course of the ensuing twenty five years. His first post civil war command was as officer in charge at Fort Monroe in Virginia. He was still, however, in the volunteer army. In 1866 he was transferred to the regular army with rank of Colonel.
In 1868 Miles married Mary Hoyt Sherman, who just happened to be the daughter of Commanding General of the Army. William Tecumseh Sherman. In March, 1869, Miles was given command of the 5th Infantry and sent out west. He subsequently proved himself a brave and valiant Indian fighter, just as he had a capable Civil War fighter. Victories came in rapid succession, with the Cheyennes, Kiowa, Comanches and Arapaho on the Staked Plains of Texas during the 1874-5 period. After the disaster of Custer’s annihilation at Little Big Horn, Miles was a key player in the hunting down of Sitting Bull and Crazy Horse. He chased Sitting Bull all the way to the Canadian border. The following year he again chased a hardy band of Indians as far as the Canadian line. This time it was the Nez Perce under the brilliant leader, Chief Joseph. Joseph led his men, women and children some 1,700 miles with Miles on his tail all the way, finally surrendered within tantalising grip of the Canadian border. In 1878 he engaged the Bannocks under Elk Horn, bringing them under subjugation.
In December 1880 Miles was promoted to the rank of Brigadier General. Five years later he was again promoted, this time to the control of the entire District of Columbia. In April 1886 he became Commander of the Department of Arizona, replacing General George Crook. Miles was not widely popular among the men of that Department who had a real respect for their outgoing General. He did, however, manage to do what Crook had failed to do. In September of that year he finally brought about the surrender of fearful Apache leader Geronimo.
In 1890 he was given command of the Department of the Pacific, stationed in San Francisco. He was also promoted to major General. He was directly responsible for bringing under control the last Sioux uprising during the 1890 Ghost dance movement. The subsequent massacre of some 200 friendly Indians under Chief Big Foot at Wounded Knee, however, brought sharp criticism upon his command.
During the Spanish American War Miles played a mainly administrative role. In 1898, however, he did lead an expedition to Puerto Rico, campaigning there for a month. In 1901 he was promoted to Lieutenant General. He soon got himself into hot water with Theodore Roosevelt by complaining about the actions of certain officers serving in the Phillipinnes. Despite this Miles became the last Commanding General of the United States Army, just prior to his retirement in 1903. His final years were spent in respectful retirement. He penned a number of books retelling the adventures of his eventful life. He died in 1925 while saluting the American flag at a circus ceremony. He was 85 years of age.
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