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LETTERS OF COMMENDATION FROM PROMINENT MILITARY MEN.

WAR DEPARTMENT, ADJUTANT-GENERAL'S OFFICE,
WASHINGTON, AUGUST 1O, 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 services.

S. W. DRUM, Adjutant-General.

[COPY.]

5th AVENUE HOTEL, NEW YORK, JUNE 29, 1887.

HON. WM. F. CODY, London, England:

DEAR CODY, - . . . In common with all your countrymen, I want to let you know that I am not only gratified, but proud of your management and general behavior; so far as I can make out, you have been modest, graceful, and dignified in all you have done to illustrate the history of civilization on this Continent during the past century.

I am especially pleased with the graceful and pretty compliment paid you by the Princess of Wales, who rode with you in the Deadwood Coach while it was attacked by the Indians, and rescued by the Cowboys. Such things did occur in our days, and may never again.

As near as I can estimate there were in 1865 about nine and a half millions of buffaloes on the plains between the Missouri River and the Rocky Mountains; all are now gone - killed for their meat, their skins and bones.

This seems like desecration, cruelty, and murder, yet they have been replaced by twice as many neat cattle. At that date there were about 165,000 Pawnees, Sioux, Cheyennes, Kiowas, and Arapohoes, who depended on these buffaloes for their yearly food. They, too, are gone, and have been replaced by twice or thrice as many white men and women, who have made the earth to blossom as the rose, and who can be counted, taxed, and governed by the laws of nature and civilization. This change has been salutary, and will go on to the end. You have caught one epoch of the world's history, have illustrated it is the very heart of the modern world - London, and I want you to feel that on this side the water we appreciate it.

This drama must end; days, years, and centuries follow fast, even the drama of civilization must have an end.

All I aim to accomplish on this sheet of paper is to assure you that I fully recognize your work, and that the presence of the Queen, the beautiful Princess of Wales, the Prince, and British public, are marks of favor which reflect back on America sparks of light which illuminate many a house and cabin in the land where once you guided me honestly and faithfully in 1865-6 from Fort Riley to Kearney in Kansas and Nebraska. Sincerely your friend, W. T. SHERMAN.

STATE OF NEBRASKA.

To all to whom these presents shall come, GREETING:

Know Ye, that I, JOHN M. THAYER, Governor of the State of Nebraska, reposting 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 WHEREOF 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. 1867.
JOHN M. THAYER.

By the Governor,

G. G. LAUR, Secretary of State.

The following letter received with photograph of the hero of the "March to the Sea," Gen. W. T. Sherman: -

New York, December 25, 1886.
TO HON. WM. F. CODY: - With the best compliments of one who, in 1866, 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 modern 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.

New York, December 25, 1886.
HON. WM. 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 during 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.

HEADQUARTERS, ARMY OF THE UNITED STATES.
Washington, D.C., January 7, 1887.
MR. 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.

Los Angeles, Cal., January 7 25, 1878.
HON. WM. F. CODY: DEAR SIR, - Having visited your great Exhibition in St. Louis and New York City, I desire to congratulate you on the success of your enterprise. I was much interested in the various life-like 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, and 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.

"HE IS KING OF THEM ALL."

HEADQUARTERS, MOUNTED RECRUITING SERVICE,
St. Louis, Mo., May 7, 1885.

MAJOR 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, Vrecet 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
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