# General Nelson A. Miles — Geronimo’s Story of His Life character guide

> General Nelson A. Miles in Geronimo’s Story of His Life by Geronimo.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** General Miles, Miles, Nelson, Brigadier General Miles

**First appearance:** 0031-xviii-surrender-of-geronimo

## Snapshot

U.S. Army general who met Geronimo at Skeleton Canyon, drew a line in the dirt for the ocean, and promised the Apaches they would see their families in Florida.

## Who they are

Miles is the government's negotiating face at the surrender, assuring Geronimo and Naiche that they can lay down their arms as prisoners of war and that it is not the Army's way to kill enemies who surrender. He draws a line on the ground to represent the ocean and speaks through two interpreters, English to Spanish to Apache, while Naiche watches him with the memory of Mangus-Colorado's murder after surrender. The promises he makes at Skeleton Canyon become the disputed heart of the surrender's terms, and the separation of the warriors from their families afterward is what Geronimo and Naiche regard as a violation of everything Miles pledged.

## In the story

### [Introductory](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/geronimo_s_story_of_his_life_se/chapters/introductory)

Geronimo accuses General Miles of bad faith regarding the treaty; the War Department notes that Miles is not responsible for the government's subsequent treatment of prisoners.

### [Geronimo’s Story of His Life](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/geronimo_s_story_of_his_life_se/chapters/geronimo-s-story-of-his-life)

U.S. general who accepted Geronimo's surrender at Skeleton Canyon.

### [XII: Geronimo's Mightiest Battle](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/geronimo_s_story_of_his_life_se/chapters/xii-geronimo-s-mightiest-battle)

Mentioned as the U.S. general with whom Geronimo later made a treaty at Skeleton Canyon.

### [The Final Struggle](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/geronimo_s_story_of_his_life_se/chapters/xvii-the-final-struggle)

Commander who makes treaty with Geronimo; promises protection, land, and supplies.

### [Surrender of Geronimo](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/geronimo_s_story_of_his_life_se/chapters/xviii-surrender-of-geronimo)

Commands the Department of Arizona; negotiates the surrender and outlines terms.

### [XIX: A Prisoner of War](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/geronimo_s_story_of_his_life_se/chapters/xix-a-prisoner-of-war)

Promised Geronimo land and implements; later visited Fort Sill and relieved Geronimo from labor.

### [Part IV: The Old and the New](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/geronimo_s_story_of_his_life_se/chapters/part-iv-the-old-and-the-new)

Represents the U.S. military authority enforcing the new order.

### [Hopes for the Future](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/geronimo_s_story_of_his_life_se/chapters/xxiii-hopes-for-the-future)

Mentioned as the signatory of the treaty with Geronimo on behalf of the U.S. Government.

### [Endnotes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/geronimo_s_story_of_his_life_se/chapters/endnotes)

General Miles telegraphed about the surrender of the Apaches and noted the foul murder of Mangus-Colorado.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/geronimo_s_story_of_his_life_se/characters/general_miles
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/geronimo_s_story_of_his_life_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/geronimo_s_story_of_his_life_se/characters