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Lot Essay
The present work was published as an illustration for an article titled "Plains Telegraphy" in the July 17, 1886 issue of Harper's Weekly. At only 25, Remington was just entering the commercially successful phase of his career, and the present work is typical of the Western military scenes that were to establish the artist’s fame.
The Harper’s story reads, "The entire Apache-hunting column is a scouting party. In order to sweep as wide a belt of country as may be, it must send out its feelers right and left, and there are often good reasons why a mere squad should keep within communicating and supporting distance of the main body. There is little danger of its being surprised, but the discovery of a fresh trail or of some other interesting 'sign' may be news which should go to the commander by telegraph, and not by a pony messenger….
If a rider well in the advance suddenly pulls in his horse, all other eyes are quickly upon him. His lifted hand or hands, pointing, swinging, utter plain words. He is part of the 'signal.' He has said, for instance, 'apaches in force, to the right, going southerly.' The whole party is halted, and up goes the long, feed-like lance, with its fluttering, party-colored pennon. The news has gone to the main body; but the nest signal from the man ahead may call from the sargeant an exclamation. 'After us, are they? Let him close up. Steady now. Boys, we must ride for it, or there won't a man of us get in.'" ("Plains Telegraphy,” Harper's Weekly, July 17, 1886, p. 459)
The Harper’s story reads, "The entire Apache-hunting column is a scouting party. In order to sweep as wide a belt of country as may be, it must send out its feelers right and left, and there are often good reasons why a mere squad should keep within communicating and supporting distance of the main body. There is little danger of its being surprised, but the discovery of a fresh trail or of some other interesting 'sign' may be news which should go to the commander by telegraph, and not by a pony messenger….
If a rider well in the advance suddenly pulls in his horse, all other eyes are quickly upon him. His lifted hand or hands, pointing, swinging, utter plain words. He is part of the 'signal.' He has said, for instance, 'apaches in force, to the right, going southerly.' The whole party is halted, and up goes the long, feed-like lance, with its fluttering, party-colored pennon. The news has gone to the main body; but the nest signal from the man ahead may call from the sargeant an exclamation. 'After us, are they? Let him close up. Steady now. Boys, we must ride for it, or there won't a man of us get in.'" ("Plains Telegraphy,” Harper's Weekly, July 17, 1886, p. 459)