Buffalo Chase, Bulls Making Battle with Men and Horses

George Catlin, born Wilkes-Barre, PA 1796-died Jersey City, NJ 1872 · 1832-1833

“The buffalo is a very timid animal, and shuns the vicinity of man with the keenest sagacity; yet, when overtaken, and harassed or wounded, turns upon its assailants with the utmost fury, who have only to seek safety in flight. In their desperate resistance the finest horses are often destroyed; but the Indian, with his superior sagacity and dexterity, generally finds some effective mode of escape.” George Catlin sketched this image on the Upper Missouri in 1832. (Catlin, Letters and Notes, vol. 1, no. 31, 1841; reprint 1973)