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17 LETTERS OF COMMENDATION FROM PROMINENT MILITARY MEN. FROM AN OLD COMMANDER. {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 fas 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 in the Deadwood Coach while it was attacked by the Indians and rescued by the cow-boys. 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This seems like descretion, crulety, and murder, yet they have been replaced by twice as many neat cattle.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 Arapahoes, 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 They, too, are gone, and have been replaced by twice or thrice as many white men and women, who have made the earth to blossom as the rose, and who can be counted, taxed, and governed by the laws of nature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 in 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 honeslty and faithfully in 1865-'6 from Fort Riley to Kearney in Kansas and Nebraska. Sincerely your friend, W. T. SHERMAN.
WAR DEPARTMENT, ADJUTANT-GENERAL'S OFFICE. To whom it may conern, WASHINGTON, August 10, 1886 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 service. S. W. Drum, Adj.-Gen
STATE OF NEBRASKA To all whom these presents shall come, GREETING:
Know Ye, that I, JOHN M. THAVER, Governor of the State of Nebraska, reposing 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 such office according to law.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed by name and caused to be affixed the Great Seal of the State.
Done at Lincoln this 8th Day of March, A.D.,1867. GRAND SEAL OF THE JOHN M. THAYER. STATE OF NEBRASKA By the Governor, MARCH 1ST, 1867, G. L. LAUR, Sectretary of State.
The following letter recieved with a photograph of the hero of the "March to the Sea," Gen. W. T. Sherman: NEW YORK, December 25, 1886.
To COL. 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 Araphoes 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.
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NEW YORK, December 28, 1886.
COL. 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 daring 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.
COL. WM. F. CODY was a scout, and served in my command on the Western frontier for many years. He was alwasy 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 by enjoys for his many qualities. P. H. SHERIDAN. Lieutenant-General.
(Picture) BUFFALO BILL GUIDING GENERAL SHERIDAN'S RELIEF TRAIN IN WINTER, 1868.
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 himt he superior of any scout I ever knew. He was cool and capable when surrounded by dangers, and his reports were always free from exaggeration. He is a gentlemen in that better sense of the world which inplies 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. __________
OMAHA, NEB., January 7, 1887.
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, you obedient servant, GEORGE CROOK, Brigadier-General, U. S. A.
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LOS ANGELES, CAL., January 7, 1887.
COL. 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 the 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, Brevet Major-General, U. S. A. ________
JERSEY CITY, 405 BERGEN AVE., February 7, 1887.
HON. WN. F. CODY: MY DEAR SIR,--I fully and with pleasure indorse you as the veritable "Buffalo Bill," U. S. Scout, serving with the troops operating against hostile Indians in 1868, on the plains. I speak from personal knowledge, and from reports of officers and others, with whom you secured renown by your services as a scout and successful hunter. Your 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 I 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.
(Picture) SPRING THAWS REVEAL BAD GUIDING. ---Doage.
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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. ________
HEADQUARTERS 7TH CAVALRY, FORT MEAD, DAKOTA TERRITORY, February 14, 1887.
MY DEAR SIR,--Your army career on the frontier, and your present enterprise of detalion of the 5th Cavalry, operating aginst the hostile Sioux. He filled every position and met every emergency with so much bravery, competence and intelligennce as to command the general admiration and respect of the officers, and become Chief of Scouts of the Department. All his successes have been conducted on the most honorable principles. W. B. ROYALL, Colonel 4th Cavalry, U. S. A.
(Picture) "BUFFALO BILL'S" HOME AND HORSE RANCH ON THE OLD FIGHTING GROUND OF THE FAWNEE AND SIOUX.
HEADQUARTERS 1ST CAVALRY, FORT CUSTER, M. T.
I often recall your valuable services to the Government, as well as to myslef, in years long gone by, especially during the Sioux difficulties, when you were attached to my command as Chief of Scouts. Your indomitable perserverance, 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 enmy until overtaken, and your 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 you old friend, N. A. M. DUDLEY, Colonel 1st Cavalry, Brevet Bridadier-General, U. S. A. ________
TALLAHASSEE, FLA., January 13, 1887.
HON. WILLIAM F. CODY,--I take great pleasure in recommending you to the public as a man who has a high reputation in the army as a Scout. No on has ever shown more bravery on the Western plains than yourself. I wish you success in your proposed visit to Great Britain. Your obedient servant, JNO. H. KING, Brevet Major-Genearl, U. S. A.
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(Picture) LASSOING WILD HORSES ON THE PLATTE IN OLD DAYS.
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 child 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 ooes and tosses the baby, Darling "apple os his eye." --Richmand. ________
MR. NATE SALSBURY, VICE-PRESIDENT AND MANAGER.
Born 1846, February 28th, in Freeport, Ill., the family being descendants of the early Vermont settlers; went out with the first Illinois troops; served through the entire Rebellion; was the youngest enlisted soldier in the Army of the Cumberland; wounded three times; is a member of Post II, G. A. R., Department of Massachusetts; went on the stage in 1868; has acted before every English-speaking public in the world.
The Amusement Department will be under the personal supervision of this eminent actor, whose successful career is now a matter of American Stage History. Years of continued success as a caterer to the amusement-loving public of this country, Australia, India and Europe, both as actor and manager, are a guarantee that the "Wild West" will be presented in a manner and style commensurate with his well-known managerial ability and artistic judgment. MR. SALSBURY long ago invested heavily in the cattle bussiness in Montana, and is now part owner of one of the largest and part owner of one of the largest and mos valuable ranches in the Northwest. During his repeated visits to the same he becamse impressed with the scenes and episodes witnessed, and though of the feasibility of presenting them as far as practical to the citizens of the East.
(Picture)