Sham battle at the Pan-American Exposition /

Large arches and columns are seen surrounding a flat field. In the foreground of the field, some American Indians on horseback ride toward the camera. The Indians are wearing feathers, war paint, and are carrying frontier rifles across the bare backs of their horses. In the middle of this flat area, men dressed as U.S. Army troops in battle regalia are lined up in the position of skirmishers. They fire at the Indians, who gallop by. The troops move over this flat area while the Indians on horseback circle them.
From a contemporary Edison film company catalog: SHAM BATTLE AT THE PAN-AMERICAN EXPOSITION. Unhamento. [code for telegraphic orders] On the closing day of the Pan-American Exposition, Saturday, November 2nd, 1901, a sham battle took place at the Stadium on the Pan-American Exhibition grounds, between the six tribes of American Indians and the United States Infantry stationed at Buffalo. The battle was most exciting and realistic, there being about 250 American Indians clad in their picturesque dress and fully decorated in their war paint. About half the Indians were mounted upon spirited horses. The attack was begun by the Infantry rushing the Indians who made a firm stand and succeeded in repulsing the soldiers. The scene is replete with charges and many hand to hand encounters. Most of the action took place close to our camera and the picture which we secured is excellent. The scene opens with a parade of the American Indians, which in itself is of great interest, the parade portion of the film consuming about 25 feet. Class B 275 ft. $33.00. We also sell this subject in the following lengths: Class B 100 ft., Unhampered, $12.00. Class B 200 ft., Unhanded, $24.00.
H10816 U.S. Copyright Office
Copyright: Thomas A. Edison; 25Nov1901; H10816.
Duration: 1:03 (part 1) and 3:56 (part 2) at 15 fps.
The Library of Congress copy of this film may not include all of the scenes described in the Edison Company summary.
MAVIS 1588625; Sham battle at the Pan-American Exposition.
Photographed November 2, 1901. Location: Buffalo, New York.
Available also through the Library of Congress Web site as digital files.
paper pos; Received: 1901-11-25; copyright deposit; Paper Print Collection.