Page:Famous Living Americans, with Portraits.djvu/580
They say he could actually outwalk an Apache in his native wilds. James Creelman describes the soldier-doctor in such a manner as this : ^ "Well above average height, with broad shoulders, small waist, the bulging, muscle-padded chest of a gorilla, and arms like a blacksmith. He was quick as lightning in his action."<r1>
Proof of the iron endurance and absolute dependability of the young fellow came constantly before Colonel Lawton, and from a position in the ranks, which Wood had been given along with his rather light medical duties, he was raised to head of a company of infantry and given a real chance to show the stuff he was made of. After having marched twenty-five miles with his men one day, he rode horseback seventy-three miles at night with a message and, returning next day, walked thirty-four miles with the troops to a new camp. Repeated praises of Leonard Wood reached the department commander in letters from Colonel Lawton. To General Nelson A. Miles the colonel wrote in 1894 :
"Concerning Dr. Leonard Wood, I can only repeat what I have before reported officially and what I have said to you; that his services during the trying campaign were of the highest order. I speak particularly of services other than those devolving on him as a medical officer; services as a combatant or line officer, voluntarily performed. He sought the most difficult and dangerous work, and by his determination and courage rendered a successful issue of the campaign possible."
In 1898 Colonel Lawton wrote the following to the governor of Massachusetts :
"It was mainly due to Captain Wood's loyalty and resolution that the expedition was successful. . . He will be a credit to his state in any capacity of soldierly duty; . . ."
After the Indian uproar had been quieted Wood was awarded a Congressional Medal of Honor.
He was called to Washington in 1895 to act as attending surgeon at the White House. At this time Theodore Roosevelt was assistant secretary of the navy. The two were of