017 - A Rifled Desk

Charles King was not just a United States soldier; he was a distinguished writer with deep roots in American history. The son of Civil War general Rufus King and the great-grandson of one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence, he graduated from West Point in 1866. His military service during the Indian Wars, particularly under the command of George Crook, marked a pivotal time in his life, especially after being wounded and retiring from the regular army. It was during this period that he formed a connection with the legendary Buffalo Bill Cody, later contributing scripts for several of Codys silent films. Kings literary works offer a multifaceted perspective on American Indians. While he expressed sympathy for their struggle to defend their homelands and adapt to new circumstances, he also portrayed them in often brutal terms. Moreover, his writings served as a critique of U.S. government policies that dishonored treaties and facilitated corruption among reservation agents. As a lieutenant in the 5th Cavalry, King experienced firsthand the conflicts on the American western frontier, engaging in battles with Southwestern and Plains Indians while closely observing the government’s actions. Today, Charles King is recognized as a foundational figure in the Western novel, blending romantic storytelling with historical realism.