Meaning: The quote you provided reflects a common narrative in American history that describes the displacement and marginalization of Indigenous peoples by European settlers and the United States government. The words of General Nelson Miles highlight the relentless encroachment of settlers and the military on the territories and traditional lands of Native American tribes, which ultimately led to the displacement and dispossession of Indigenous communities.

The phrase "Step by step a powerful and enterprising race has driven them back from the Atlantic to the West" underscores the process of westward expansion and colonization that occurred in North America. It acknowledges the deliberate and systematic actions taken by European colonizers and later American settlers to push Indigenous peoples further and further from their ancestral lands. This expansion was characterized by the acquisition of Indigenous territories through treaties, military conquest, and eventually, through the establishment of reservations.

The quote also emphasizes the diminishing opportunities for Indigenous peoples to maintain a permanent abode, indicating the severe disruption and loss of land and resources experienced by Native American communities. This loss of land and the disruption of traditional ways of life had profound and lasting effects on the social, cultural, and economic well-being of Indigenous peoples.

General Nelson Miles, the author of the quote, was a prominent figure in the United States Army during the late 19th century and played a significant role in the military campaigns against various Native American tribes. His words reflect the attitudes and perspectives of many military and government officials at the time, who viewed the displacement of Native Americans as a necessary and inevitable consequence of westward expansion and the advancement of American civilization.

It is important to recognize that this quote represents a particular viewpoint that was prevalent during a specific historical period, and it is essential to consider the broader context of colonization, treaty-making, and the complex relationships between Indigenous peoples and the United States government. The narrative of westward expansion and its impact on Indigenous communities is a central theme in American history, and it continues to have reverberations in contemporary discussions about land rights, sovereignty, and the ongoing struggles for Indigenous rights and recognition.

In conclusion, the quote by General Nelson Miles encapsulates the historical process of displacement and marginalization experienced by Indigenous peoples in North America as a result of westward expansion and colonization. It serves as a reminder of the enduring legacy of this history and the ongoing efforts to address the consequences of land loss and dispossession for Indigenous communities.