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by dangers, and his reports were always free from exaggeration. He is a gentleman in that 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.
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HON. WM. 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.
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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.
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HEADQUARTERS, 7TH CAVALRY, FORT MEAD, DAKOTA TERRITORY, 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 U. S. 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 7th Cavalry.
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JERSEY CITY, 405 BERGEN AVR., February 7, 1887.

HON. WM. F. CODY: MY DEAR SIR,--I fully and with pleasure endorse you as the veritable "Buffalo Bill," U. S. Scout, serving with the troops operating against hostile Indians, in 1808, on the plains. I speak from personal knowledge, and from reports of officers and others, with whom you secured renown by you services as a scout and successful hunter. You 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.
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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 5th 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 become Chief of Scouts of the Department. All his successses have been conducted on the most honorable principles.

W. B. ROYALL, Colonel 4th Cavalry, U. S. A.
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HEADQUARTERS, 1ST CAVALRY, FORT CUSTER, M. T.

. . . I often recall your valuable services to the Government, as well as to myself, in years long gone by, specially 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 you 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 1st Cavalry, Brevet Brigadier-General, U. S. A.
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TALLAHASSEE, FLA., January 12, 1887.

HON. WILLIAM F. CODY,--I take great pleasure in recommending you to the pubilc, 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 you proposed visit to Great Britain. Your obedient servant,

JNO. H. KING, Brevet Major-General, U. S. A.
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Lines Inspired on Witnessing the Prairie Chief Caressing his Baby Daughter,
LITTLE IRMA CODY.

Only a baby's fingers, patting a brawny cheek,
Only a laughing dimple in the chin so soft and sleek,
Only a cooing babble, only a frightened tear,
But it makes a man both brave and kind
To have them ever near.
The hand that seemed harsh and cruel,
Nerved by a righteous hate,
As it cleft the heart of the Yellow Hand,
In revenge of Custer's fate,
Has the tender touch of a woman,
As, rifle and knife laid by,
He coos and tosses the baby,
Darling "apple of his eye."
--RICHMOND.

(Picture)
UNGUIDED VICTIMS OF A PRAIRIE SNOW-STORM.
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