American Indian

Picture Description Price Fort Fillmore was dedicated September 23, 1851 by LtCol Dixon S. Miles, 3rd United States Infantry for protection against Indians. Named after President Millard Fillmore. Located on the left bank of the Rio Grande, six miles south of Mesilla. Abandoned July 26, 1861 by Union troops and taken over by the invading Confederate forces. Santa Fe New Mexico 28 May 1856 My Dear Way, I owe you several replies if my memory serves me and Mrs Miles writes me from Fort Fillmore you had written to me (which I have not seen) all of which should have been answered long since and would have been had I not been kept vamousing about on General Courts Martials since the 10th of Jany last. - between this and Fillmore, traveling at least 1200 miles through and over this wretched baren country, daily in danger of being scalped by the Apaches. Col Bonneville joining, made me lose the Regt. and my favorite post of Fillmore, I have not yet been assigned to one - in fact I did not desire it as I did not wish to break up housekeeping at Fillmore until the last moment, expecting some, to be placed as superintendant of the General Recruiting Service although I could not believe Genl Scott would detail me if he could get another for that duty. He declined giving me last detail because I applied for it. This time I presume, he will say he did not detail me because I did not apply "such is life!" On next Monday, 2nd June, the General Court Martial assembles to take Judge Brockus testimony and decide Maj. Blakes case. This trial has consumed six months and very voluminous. Before this reaches you, you will have seen published doubtless the cases of Capt. Scammon and Lieut. Morrison 3rd Inf. The Captain is nearly gone, poor fellow, and can't live much longer. Great sympathy is felt for him. He is so very amiable and gentlemanly but drink - alcohol has almost destroyed his intellect. His friends would never know him. During his trial he flickered up and appeared for the time the intelligent Scammon but soon relapsed. He is now almost constantly confined to his bed. We have been on the qui vive as to who is the new Brigadier. I was in hopes Genl Garland would obtain it, the best appointment that could be made - beside the making of the very best Colonel in his place. Don't you think so? I do, how modest! But I hear Persifer Smith has been nominated to go to the Pacific and relieve Genl Wool. I suppose next mail will inform us. There is a long, tall George Gibson, en route to Washington City here, to leave in a few days, for the benefit of his hydraulic apparatus. You are acquainted with him he says. Take care of him. He is too good a fellow not to be looked after. And it is seldom now a days, such a man is fashioned. He will give you all the news and decriptions of men, manners, customs, su pair, scenery etc which saves much time in describing - besides sounding better when orally said than it could be written. I sent you and family a card of invitation to my daughter's wedding. I hope you got it. Some of these days I shall ask my old friend, Genl Jesup to give her husband an appointment in his corps and request your cooperation and assistance. Lt. O'Bannon is full of energy and practical skill. Every day sense he is now perhaps wanting in his bureau duties but will soon as Regt. Quartermaster that part - and you'll have no superior for all hard work in the Dept. The Indians out here seem disposed to break out into a war. The most powerful tribe (Navajos) muster 2500 warriors - the --- Apaches about 1200. Should this come off, and I don't see how it is to be avoided, the country will smoke and the Treasury groan before it ends. It will take 2000 more men than is now here or else volunteers will have to be called out. Things look blue just now and many a poor fellow will go under before the war closes - without reward. How disheartening to the ------ and brave, to fight ----- without a stimulus of future promotion - even by Brevet - opposed to it as I have ever been. I can see the difference in the exertion of officers since. It has been withheld. There is not that fierce ardor or daring among officers, nor volunteering to do or die as there used to be. But all wait orders. None seem to do more than obey. The stimulant to exertion is gone. Perhaps a change of Secretary may produce a favorable change in the Army - quien sabe. Who is to be our President? Mr. Buchanan seems to be the favorite in state conventions. I am surprised to find he is so throughout the army (except perhaps the new Regts) and suppose it arises from Jeff Davis not giving as much satisfaction as was supposed so far as I have heard - his bill of reorganization of the army is exceedingly unpopular and many seem disposed to view it in no other light than fastening on the service an unwielding irresponsible system that English politicians and their army is trying to get rid of. I am, my dear friend, with sentiments of regard, truly yours, D S Miles To W. A. Gordon QM Gen Office Washington Dixon Stansbury Miles was a 1824 Graduate of West Point, earned two brevets during Mexican War. Miles and his command (approx 12000) were entrapped by Stonewall Jackson at Harpers Ferry in 1862 and he was mortally wounded as the surrender was being arranged. [Product ID: 146] $795.00 (+s&h) Use Paypal button above or click here to pay by check or money order Incredible letter by James Mooney (Smithsonian Institution) about cannibalism among the Tonkawa Indians. Enemies of southern plains tribes such as the Comanche and Kiowa, the Tonkawas were a relatively small tribe, feared and hated for eating its enemy. Very rare letter, Anadarko, Oklahoma, Oct. 20, 1901, 2pg, 8 x 10, on Smithsonian Institution stationery, Bureau of American Ethnology. Mooney says he is with the Kiowas "...No fact in southwestern Indian history is better establisht (sic) than that of teh Cannibalism of the Tonkawas...the only name of which the Tonkawas (are) known to the other tribes is that of 'Man Eaters'." Mooney continues to say that this is the reason that the Tonkawas were so readily hired out for jobs against the other tribes. He also mentions several other references to document the cannibalism of the Tonkawas. Very gooc condition, with envelope. [Product ID: 30] $2,450.00 (+s&h) Use Paypal button above or click here to pay by check or money order An outstanding set of three letters (10 pgs. total) depicting an account of the Oklahoma Land Rush (1889). Written in pencil by homesteader Edward Wells and son in great detail. In part, "lll there was hundreds of wagons in sight...had to cross on a rail road bridge, unhitch and lead the teams over on a plank and some men lost their teams...lots of teams stuck in the mud...lots of men had their families with them and I tell you it was rough on them. We got to the Oklahoma Territory line at eleven o'clock...thousands of wagons and hundreds of horsemen and men in buggies all waiting for th soldier to sound the bugle to go. I was right in front when the bugle blast was heard, then commendced the wild chase, everybody just flew, all yelling awhipping and the dust flew...the mules just got down and run their best. The run knocked off two of our wagon boys...all kinds of things flying inthe air...lots of wagons broke down...we run for miles and stopped, jumped out, dug a hole and stacked a new sod house...so we are here now on the plains...we will have two creeks and lots of water in them..." The later letters are less optimistic:"...small pox has broke out here...hundreds of houses go up every day. But now lots of people are getting out as they are afraid of small pox...we are living on dried fruit...I think we will go into the Cherokee Strip...that is the finest country I have ever seen...: Much more, in overall very good condition. Details regarding the Oklahoma land rush provided. This group of letters is the first eyewitness account of the Oklahoma land rush I have seen. [Product ID: 26] $1,500.00 (+s&h) Use Paypal button above or click here to pay by check or money order Lt. Charles Gatewood signed document as Aide-de-Camp to General Nelson Miles, about 8 by 10 inches, 1 pg., San Francisco, Dec. 26, 1888. Gatewood Extract of Special Orders No. 95 regarding payments to troops. Boldly signed, some light dampstains along bottom margin, not affecting signature. Overall good to very good. Gatewood was knowlegeable in the customs of the Apache and was instrumental in convincing Geronimo to surrender. Miles accepted the surrender without crediting Gatewood. The contemporary movie about Geronimo depicts his close relationship with Gatewood. A very rare item. [Product ID: 25] $2,500.00 (+s&h) Use Paypal button above or click here to pay by check or money order (SCALP CERTIFICATES)"In the House of Representatives", South Carolina, Dec 19th, 1793. Signed by Jacob Read, Speaker of the House, to the representatives. This document discusses the purpose of burning certificates, including "certificates for scalps, now in the Treasury of Columbia". About 7 1/2 by 9 inches, 1 pg.. Overall in good condition, some minor wear and small tears on the left margin. [Product ID: 20] $1,800.00 (+s&h) Use Paypal button above or click here to pay by check or money order