2004-09
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 8/31/2004
In the annals of the history of the West there are few stories more renowned then that of the Apache Indian Chief Geronimo and his ultimate capture (after four times breaking loose). This remarkable 16 page penned letter, entirely in the hand of Henry W. Lawton, the man who captured him and the events that transpired immediately following that achievement, certainly ranks among the most rare documents of that famous Indian campaign. Written November 7, 1886 from Fort Huachuca, Arizona Territory to his closest friend George Albee and boldly inscribed by Lawton in the blank margin along the full left side of the first page "THIS LETTER IS PERSONAL AND IS NOT FOR PUBLICATION" (underlining both "personal" and "not"). Entirely in Lawton's hand with his usual signature. Letter opens: "I have been rushed about pretty lively since the 8'th of September [day he returned from capture of Geronimo] I got into Bowie the morning of [that day] and was ordered to embark by rail…same day. I pleaded to be allowed to return home and see my wife and baby…I was worn out and half sick. I can never tell you and you can never feel some of the anxious days I experienced on this trip, particularly the last two. I had no clothes and only time to shave and put on [clean clothes] which I bought from the post Q.M. and was off for the depot. Went as far as San Antonio when I was stopped by order of the War Department and ordered to turn my prisoners over to General Stanley…" After a short visit to his family he "…returned for the banquet…Gen'l Miles offered me position of Judge Advocate on his staff which I declined. He then offered me the Insp. Gen'ls place which I did not want as I did not want any staff duty, but he seemed to feel I should accept something, so I took it. Was ordered to Huachuca to turn over my property…" In that new position he asked to be "relieved entirely and ordered to duty…and I am now with my troop at Huachuca doing duty as usual. …Albee, it is too long to write all the details of this campaign…to start with, I went out first a year ago…from this fort in command of three troops of Cavalry…ordered to intercept the hostiles. Failing in this to follow them into the Sierra Madre until they were captured I was supplied with three 4 mule teams as transportation and 10 days rations. There is not a pack mule or pack saddle at the fort…did not intercept any Indians; neither did anybody else, but I lost three men killed. Afterall, the Indians had safely made their way into the Sierra Madres. […On my return and later] I was the senior cavalry officer at the post…orders to go to Fort Bowie and report to General Crook…Davis placed in command of troops here and I was ordered to report to him, then I offered my services to General Crook to go to Mexico. He did not want me and sent Davis; had not enough or good enough officers in his own command to do field duty his way so he imported some. They all failed. Davis did nothing except get sick…gave up his command…I again volunteered to go down to take his place…asked to go after some Indians who were murdering [in the mountains] but those Indians were not wanted…you may be sure I was not sorry when Crook was relieved. As soon as Miles came he sent for me and gave me the important command of the whole campaign on the strength of my having served Mackenzie. He supported me…and gave me everything I wanted personally so far as he could. I had studied the country well, knew how and when others had failed. I went out to win, and intended to stay until I did. I knew that under the circumstances hard work only would bring these fellows to terms. …Made myself unpopular by proclaiming that I did not want officers who had served with Crook because they believed as Crook had failed no one else could succeed. I demanded of every officer who was sent me, if he believed GERONIMO could be captured and if he did not, told him I did not want him…I have never worked so hard or suffered so much before in my life. I was so ill at one time that I had to be carried and the doctor did not think I could live. I made my arrangements to settle [my accounts] Dr. [Leonard] Wood was ill with malarial fever and I had a travois made and everything ready to ship him to the nearest ranch where he said he simply wanted to die. So you see we had a hard time BUT WE GOT THEM. Whatever may be said…it was my command that subdued the hostiles. AS TO THE SURRENDER there were no terms…and the government can turn them over to civil authority or in any other way lawfully dispose of them. They were told that they were prisoners of war [but] they might have been told they were any other kind of prisoners for all they knew or cared. Why prisoners of war, I don't know, unless it was to keep the Gen'l from stopping their rations…for if they had been any other kind of prisoners they would have refused to feed them. Gen'l Miles has been badly treated at Washington. There are many things about Miles I do not like and many I do. He appreciates a service and if I had not heard another word what the general told me personally it would have sufficed as ample reward for all I did. I have at least made a friend of him…he is very shrewd, a great politician, rather unscrupulous and cunning. He has his enemies by the tail now…by some means he got possession of some confidential correspondence of General Crook's which is the real reason for the [ ? ] that reigns now. What annoys me worst is that some of my own comrades and officers of my own rank in other regiments abuse me for what I have done and do not hesitate to circulate the most absurd lies about the work and result. I made up my mind however not to throw mud and I shall not. I will come out alright…my men will bear me out…I tried to avoid rather than court notoriety. I did not wish to attend the banquet at Albuquerque but General Miles insisted I should and I was ordered there. …Was presented a handsome and valuable pocket watch [with its chain with a diamond setting]. …Went to Tombstone [and] careful not to let anyone know I was going [on the way I learned committee and reception was awaiting me in San Antonio and I avoided it…and also received letters from citizens of Tucson and others when I could come but I declined]…at the same time I cannot say that I am not very proud of my great good fortune and that all the good things said of me are not very satisfying…at Tombstone [where my wife and I had a great reception] they gave us a rousing send-off and when I was introduced to the crowd the cheers were loud and hearty…had universal and flattering attention in Arizona, New Mexico and Texas by the people…have had numerous calls for my picture. An artist in San Antonio is painting my portrait. An artist here is painting a panorama in which I understand I am to [be featured...and more about an artist in Tombstone]…had numerous calls from papers and authors…to all of whom I have not responded…have had a flood of congratulatory letters and telegrams…believe I have made more enemies then friends. AT WASHINGTON, FOR SOME REASON, GERONIMO'S CAPTURE HAS OFFENDED THEM. It would have been impossible to have gotten him alive in a more complete and unconditional way. I COULD HAVE ASSASSINATED HIM, BUT I AM NOT AN ASSASSIN, AND THAT ENDS IT. I expect nothing from Washington and I shall ask nothing. No vacancy occurs in my staff corps sooner then two years…in the Insp't Gen'ls Dept…would not go into any other Corps to stay in the Army. I will have more rank soon in the line. MY HIGHEST AMBITION NOW is to retire. Want to get out of the Army for more reasons then one. I can never have anything in the Army. Out of it I know I can make something; another reason is I do not like the personnel. Seven tenths of the officers are worthless; the other three tenths are dogs in the manger. [I hope in the next administration when I will have 30 years in service] we will have a President with whom I will have influence enough to induce him to make me a major and retire me. I will again ask for retirement the next day after I am appointed. …Send the new gun [I ordered] by express. Dr. [Leonard] Wood is now going over my trail with a photographer taking views with a view to writing a magazine article; a correspondent is with him who will write a book on the campaign. I send you…translations from Spanish / Mexican newspapers sent me by [a friend] I met in Mexico." (see the accompanying original translation that goes with this letter that came with the Albee papers). Lawton writes that received articles about the campaign that Albee had sent him "…think it pleased Miles…and he is not averse to an advertisement in any form. In fact he wants his name kept before the people. He wants everybody to know that he is Gen'l Miles in the U.S. Army and the role of martyr or villain suits him equally well." Lawton also writes that he would have been pleased to have had Albee come and join him on the campaign in Mexico "…you could have assisted me wonderfully and got a little popularity yourself and done a stroke of business in your own line with the Mexican officials …I had money for secret service, spies, etc. and commanded my own command. I have not said the [half of what I wanted to write] but I've given you as much as you can work through, for once…" A truly extraordinary letter, not only for his remarks on the Geronimo campaign but equally so as an insight into the character of the famous Indian fighting (and later Commanding General of the Army) Nelson Miles ! Exc. +. Accompanied by that 5 page (each blank on reverse) neatly penned English translation of the article that appeared in the Mexican newspaper about Captain Lawton and his capture of Geronimo, that Lawton actually had written about in the letter just described…and the original envelope (piece out of corner) addressed in Lawton's hand to Albee, with Arizona, Nov. 10, 1886 postmark…plus photostatic biographic material on Lawton and a copy of lengthy story from the Oct. 1999 issue of "Wild West" magazine "CAPTAIN LAWTON'S PURSUIT OF GERONIMO" with great detail about the campaign and capture.
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