The Life of Buffalo Bill · Chapter
Introductory explained
The publisher introduces the life of Hon.
What happens
The publisher introduces the life of Hon. William F. Cody, known as Buffalo Bill, presenting his autobiography as a truthful and valuable record of Western frontier history. The narrative covers Cody's early life in Kansas, his work as a pony express rider, stagecoach driver, bull-whacker, Union scout, buffalo hunter, and actor. A letter from General E. A. Carr attests to Cody's modesty, skill as a trailer and hunter, and invaluable service as a scout and guide during Indian campaigns. The chapter concludes with Cody's current success as an actor and landowner in Nebraska.
Themes in this chapter
Self-Invention and Celebrity
Cody's transformation from a plainsman to a nationally known actor and landowner illustrates the theme of self-invention and the creation of a public persona.
Frontier Expansion and Manifest Destiny
Cody's life story is presented as a valuable record of Western frontier history, embodying the expansion of the United States into the West.
Violence and Survival
The narrative includes numerous accounts of Indian fights, escapes from death, and the harsh realities of frontier survival.
Loyalty and Comradeship
Cody's relationships with military officers and fellow plainsmen, as well as General Carr's testimonial, emphasize loyalty and mutual respect.
Characters to notice
- Buffalo Bill
Subject of the biography; described as a truthful, modest, and skilled plainsman, scout, hunter, and actor.
- General E. A. Carr
Commander of the Fifth Cavalry; provides a testimonial letter praising Cody's character, trailing ability, and service.
- General Philip H. Sheridan
Mentioned as a military officer under whom Cody served and to whom he carried dispatches.
- General Merritt
Listed among the military officers Cody served under as scout and guide.
- General Crook
Listed among the military officers Cody served under as scout and guide.
- General Terry
Listed among the military officers Cody served under as scout and guide.
- Colonel Royal
Commanded the Fifth Cavalry when Cody first served as scout; mentioned in Carr's letter.
- Major Frank North
Cody's partner in a cattle ranch on the Dismal River; former commander of the Pawnee scouts.
Key passages
“The life and adventures of Hon. William F. Cody—Buffalo Bill—as told by himself, make up a narrative which reads more like romance than reality, and which in many respects will prove a valuable contribution to the records of our Western frontier history.”
The autobiography of William F. Cody, known as Buffalo Bill, is so extraordinary it seems fictional, yet it provides an important historical account of the American West.
Opening statement establishing the book's purpose and tone.
“He is a natural gentleman in his manners as well as in character, and has none of the roughness of the typical frontiersman.”
Cody is naturally polite and refined, unlike the stereotypical rough frontiersman.
General Carr's description of Cody's character.
“His eyesight is better than a good field glass; he is the best trailer I ever heard of; and also the best judge of the 'lay of country,'”
Cody's vision surpasses binoculars, and he is unmatched in tracking and understanding terrain.
General Carr's praise of Cody's skills.
“In a fight Mr. Cody is never noisy, obstreperous or excited. In fact, I never hardly noticed him in a fight, unless I happened to want him, or he had something to report, when he was always in the right place, and his information was always valuable and reliable.”
During combat, Cody remains calm and unobtrusive, only appearing when needed to provide reliable information.
General Carr's observation of Cody's demeanor in battle.
