Excerpts from private David L. Spotts, Diary

A new fort is established

 

Geronimo’s Guard House

 

 

Wednesday, December 2, 1868 “Accounts of the Washita Battle” as told by David L Spotts, Company “L” of the 19th Kansas Volunteer Cavalry”.

We are anxious to hear all about the fight and get a better view of Gen. Custer, as he was dressed like a scout yesterday and we did not recognize him, so we are hoping to get a better view of him. We are also wondering what will come next, where we will have a chance to mix up with the redskins.

We have some of the particulars of the fight today. The troops left here on Monday of last week and came onto a trail leading south, which they followed until Thursday night when the Osage scouts reported a camp not far ahead. They waited in the snow for the plan of attack to be out­lined and about 3 A. M. the four battalions were given or­ders to attack on four sides of the camp at once.

Maj. Elliott was sent out first and given a position in the rear of the camp; the sides were given to Col. Thompson and Maj. White. The front was led by Col. Cook at the head of the sharpshooters. The other two companies were under the command of Col. West and Capt. Hamilton.

The fight began at the earliest dawn and when the bugle sounded, "Charge," the entire command dashed into the camp. The Indians were taken entirely by surprise and only had time to grab guns or bow and arrows, whichever was handy. Some did not have time to get ammunition for their guns. This accounts for the small loss of life in the ranks.

The command stayed all day near the camp, destroying everything they could find. Killed nearly 800 ponies, which as the greatest loss to the Indians. It was found during the late afternoon that Maj. Elliott and about twenty men ere missing. After hunting around where the fighting had taken place, their bodies could not be found, and the searchers had to leave them behind, knowing they had en killed at some place not far away.

The body of Capt. Hamilton was brought in with the wounded, among whom was Capt. Barnitz. Black Kettle and 103 warriors were the dead Indians gathered on the battlefield.

Now that we are with the Regular Army we have to do as they do. We are taught the bugle calls and have to obey them as follows: Roll call at 4 A. M.; breakfast at 6; stable call at 7; guard mount at 8; take our horses to graze from 9 to 11; dinner call at 12. From 2 to 4 we graze our horses, then at sundown retreat; tattoo at 8:45 and taps at 9, when all lights must be put out in the tents but our camp fires are allowed to burn out. We can lie in bed and talk without light.

Our camp is a quarter mile from that of the 7th Cavalry and while we have met some of the soldiers we have not seen Gen. Custer. His men say he is a fine fellow, kind to them and will share with a private who is in need.

Friday December 11, 1868, “Major Elliott and his men found”.

We did not march today and all, who can leave, go over to the battleground. About 8 o'clock the Seventh marched in line across to the river and most of our regiment fol­lowing. There were perhaps a hundred stayed with the train.

As I was on duty I could not leave but was anxious to go. We were so new on our job we disliked to ask special favors this soon, so stayed and said nothing. We could visit our companies when not on duty, so this evening I went over and the boys told me what was done. They said it looked like there had been a considerable "mix-up." The principal object of the visit by the troops was to find the bodies of Maj. Elliott and the men who were killed with him for they did not find them after the fight. They finally found the bodies nearly a quarter mile from the original camp. They must have been separated from the others by the Indians and forced farther away until all were killed. Their clothes were taken and their naked bodies fearfully gashed with knives and tomahawks. They were buried in a trench at the foot of a small mound. Major Elliott was buried separately on top of the mound with the men at his feet.

All the dead Indians were carried away by the others. Many of the squaws and children escaped during the fight because the orders were to spare the women and children and many warriors escaped by putting blankets over their heads like a squaw, and so made their escape. Indian men wear blankets over the left shoulder and under the right arm or diagonally over the back, so they took advantage of it.

One of the boys was shown where a little white boy was killed by a squaw who had him, and looking for a chance to get away, but when surrounded she plunged a knife into his heart and killed him, and was herself killed by those who witnessed the dastardly deed. Their bodies were not found today.

Sunday, January 10, 1869 “Arrived at Cache Creek, Fort Sill”

We march several miles today down the creek. The grazing is even better here as another creek nearly as large as Cache Creek empties into it from the west and we are in a wide valley where the grass is two feet tall and not entirely dead in some places. We can see the mountains plainly now. Our camp is on the bank of the creek flowing from the mountains, and the bank is ten feet or higher than the stream, which is twenty feet wide and runs swiftly.

There is a large hill just opposite our camp and across the stream, nearly 100 feet high, and we can see small pines on the sides and on top. Along the bank across the creek is a thick patch of sweet briers, so we cannot cross. Our bank has no underbrush and is covered with tall grass. We have never seen such a beautiful place anywhere on our trip. We are in hopes we will get to stay here the rest of the winter. There is plenty of wood, water and grass.

Now our anxiety and worry will be to get something to eat for ourselves the horses are pretty well provided for, if we can stay a month for the green feed will be plentiful here by that time.

Sunday, January 17, 1869

It is a beautiful day and the regiment had inspection. If anything happens that we cannot turn out, we are in­spected very soon after. That means clean clothes, clean faces and hands, bright guns and buckles. Our squad has not been ordered out but we prepared for it just the same.

We waded the creek this afternoon and climbed up on top of one of the hills where we could look down on our camp and also see the camp of the Seventh about two miles south of us, near Cache Creek. We are on Slough Creek and their camp is below or south.

There are a good many small pines on this hill but no brush on the top. The grass is about an inch high and green. We lie under a pine tree and listen to the wind blow­ing through the pines. It is my first experience in a pine forest. All the higher mountains are covered with pines and thick brush at their base. Between the hills are oak trees scattered so they are not close together. I can imag­ine this would be a lovely place for a home sometime. There is plenty of water and rich soil in the valleys. The most beautiful scenery I ever saw. I hope we will remain here until we are ready to go home, and then I shall always remember this place.

We hear this evening there will soon be a fort built on this creek and the tribes in this section will have reserva­tions near, when it will be the supply station for them to draw food and clothing. As this is a part of the Indian Territory it is not likely that the white man will ever have a chance to own a home here.

This afternoon some of the boys went up on a hill and saw several rattlesnakes on a large pile of rocks. They killed them with stones and then pried the rocks loose and rolled them down the hill. They pried a large rock loose and under it was a lot of snakes of all sizes, then they began a snake hunt. The result was they counted 103 dead snakes, many of them quite large. Later they brought them to camp, skinned them and put their belts through the skin so there are a lot of rattlesnake belts in camp tonight.

We are planning another hunt soon so we can explore the mountains to the west of our camp. They seem to be much higher than these near us with larger trees except those below the pines. The boys are very anxious that someone go up to the hills for meat. None of the other messes care to hunt so it will fall to us. I want to get up in the big pines again.

Friday, June 22, 1869

We heard that the fort will be built on Cache Creek, a few miles below the Seventh's camp, and that the 10th In­fantry, a colored regiment, will be stationed there until it is completed. The Seventh's officers are going to call it Fort Elliott in honor of Maj. Elliott, who was killed last Novem­ber on the Washita in the fight with Black Kettle. I do not know who has the authority to give it a name, but the Seventh have proposed it.

I had quite a confidential visit today with Steve Van Dorn. He is from Company E, and has had quite an ex­perience. He was first sergeant and had some trouble with Lieut. Brady, and was returned to sergeant, but a short time after he was reduced to the ranks, and when a man was asked to go into the commissary department, Capt. Darling sent him here. He appeared to be a very nice fel­low, has a high school education. Lieut. Brady is a West Pointer, and is pretty domineering and a trial to Capt. Darling even if he is second lieutenant.

Company E is on the right of my Company L and Com­pany A on the left. The officers run back and forth many times a day. I go over to Capt. Finch's nearly every day and meet them there. Captains. Pliley and Finch are becom­ing great "cronies" for they are together much of the time.

Wednesday, February 10, 1869 “Capt. Pliley, Capt Payne and Lieutenant Threshers horses are stolen.”

The horses stolen two nights back were those of Capt. Pliley, Capt. Payne of Company H and Lieut. Thresher, regimental quartermaster. Captains. Pliley and Finch are still out looking for them. They must have found a trail or they would be back. There are three men missing this morning again and are the same as yesterday, so they are likely to be gone for good this time. One of the men miss­ing is from Company H. It is he probably who took Capt. Payne's horse. If on the trail, the officers are both good scouts and are more than equal to the three they are after, who may not be expecting to be followed, for de­serters have not been followed heretofore. Capt. Pliley has a good field glass and can see them for miles. He intended to go down to the Seventh's camp and get one of Gen. Custer's best Osage Indian trailers to help hunt their trail. We may see them coming in with the three horse thieves in a few days and no telling what the penalty will be.

Tuesday February 16, 1869 “ We are now dismounted Cavalry.”

While we are dismounted cavalry we have to drill as infantry. I suppose it is done to keep us occupied and that we may learn more the duties of a soldier. Lieut. John­ston is acting as major now and our squad has to turn out and drill with our companies. Some of the boys would much rather put in the time marching north.

We have been out here four months now and have no more prospect of having a scrap with the Indians than we had the first month. The Indians, camped across the creek, are as well or better armed than we, for they have guns, re­volvers, bows and arrows and some carry tomahawks. They have pretty good ponies, so when they come out where we can view them they put on quite a warlike appearance. We want to go over and visit their camp to see how they appear at home. We continue our camp duties. One man on duty in the daytime and two during the night.

Wednesday February 17, 1869 “The horses are found but where are the thief’s?”

Captain Finch and Captain Pliley returned last night with the stolen horses, but did not bring back the horse thieves. They were deserters from our regiment and had taken the horses and hid them and came back to camp again, but left for good the next night. They had ridden the horses around camp inside the camp guard so the officers would think the horses had gotten loose and were still wandering away. Captain Pliley had gotten Custer's Indian trailers to hunt the trail. They made a circuit of several miles and discovered the trail going south toward Red River. Then the Indians returned and the officers followed the trail, which was plain as the ground was soft. The fourth day they discovered the thieves through Captain Pliley's field glass and located the camp in the night by the fire they had built.

Early in the morning they walked in on them before they had gotten up and here the officers refused to tell more. They brought back their guns, but no men. They did not say they killed them, but Captain Pliley said, "They were looking at the sun" when they last saw them. Captain Finch said they did not kill them, so we are left to sur­mise what we want to. From what I know of Captain Finch I cannot believe he would shoot any man except in self de­fense, neither would he show the white feather, because he is as brave as he is good. A gentleman always.

Captain Finch related the capture at the close of our service. "We came to their camp before daylight, and when they were about to get up we walked up to their camp and told them to get up and hold up their hands. Their clothes were placed some distance away and they were marched to them and told to put them on. Then we faced them toward the rising sun and told them to march and not look back or he would take a shot at them. They obeyed our orders to the letter and that was the last we saw of them."

March 15, 1869 “The Journey Home begins”

We slept considerable last night although it was freezing cold all night and ice on the river. Fresh signs of Indians can be seen as soon as we get started and the scouts say we camped near where a large camp of Indians had been quite recently, probably less than a week ago. Their trail leads to the northeast, the direction we have been traveling for the last two days. We are told that it is very probable we will have all the fighting we want in a day or two, provided we can find their camp before they see us. Our In­dian scouts keep several miles in advance of the column.

The trail is a large one now, and quite plain. We have all been ordered in front of the train before starting and our squad gets right up to the regiment, but not with it, al­though right behind the last company.

Orders came about 2 o'clock to hurry fast as possible as there were Indians ahead We went on a trot for about half a mile, when we were ordered to halt and await further orders. Shortly we were ordered to proceed slowly and every man was examining his gun for we were expecting an order to attack any time, although there were no Indians in sight.

About 4 o'clock we arrived at the top of a bluff overlook­ing a valley a mile or more wide and a creek flowing to the right. Along the creek on the side next to us was a large Indian camp of nearly 200 lodges. We could see the 7th Cavalry coming around on the farther side of the camp and we formed in line on the south side next to us so we soon had them as near surrounded, as our lines would reach.

Gen. Custer and his staff were in the Indian camp, which was alive with Indians all greatly excited, but they did not have their ponies. In a short time a large herd of ponies arrived from somewhere down the creek. They were fol­lowed by a lot of mounted Indians. As soon as they reached camp they were mounted and the warriors were riding in all directions. Finally every pony had a rider and some had several women and children. They were ready to leave and we received no orders to stop them. Now was our chance for a real Indian fight, but no orders came. Gen. Custer was still in their midst, and all the time they were getting ready to make a break for escape. Suddenly they all made a dash down the creek and not a gun was fired. We were not to fire until we had the order, and when they had gotten away all the Kansas men were disgusted for this was the only opportunity we had to punish the In­dians who had killed so many of the Kansas settlers. Gen. Custer was then branded by some who had lost relatives or friends, as a coward and traitor to our regiment. We had them prisoners and could have kept them without firing a gun.

There must be something important taking place as the Seventh is coming in close and surrounding the camp, while we were kept waiting for an hour or more.

Then we were ordered to form a line a few hundred yards above the camp and then go into camp for the night. After we have formed our camp, the council of chiefs is still in session. Then the Seventh also go into camp, but the Indians are not allowed to leave. We hear tonight this is Medicine Arrow's camp and the Indians have refused to go on a reservation, so they are just the ones we were most pleased to find, but would have liked very much to have given them at least some punishment, which they greatly deserved. We go to sleep tonight with our guns beside us for we are likely to need them any time.

Tuesday, March 16, 1869

We get up at the usual hour and the Indian camp is still there, but no Indians in sight for they fled without tak­ing their tents. No one is allowed to go near or disturb them. The principal chief in this camp is Medicine Arrow, but there are two other chiefs who are war chiefs and when the tribe is at peace their power is gone, so they are not in favor of going on reservations. They are younger men and the young warriors are under their influence, so Medicine Arrow's power is a civil one. He has to be gov­erned by the sentiment of that subject under him. We hear that there were two white women in this camp until news came of our men's approach, when they were hurried outside the camp and we did not surround the camp soon enough to intercept them.

The scouts discovered a portion of the herd of ponies and reported to Gen. Custer, who went with them. They met Medicine Arrow coming from the camp with a white flag. When he told Gen. Custer there were two white women in their camp and if he attacked them the women would be killed, orders were sent to the command to surround the camp but not to fire a shot unless fired upon, and he rode into their camp under the protection of the Indian chief.

In the camp Gen. Custer met the war chiefs, Big Head and Dull Knife, and he assured them no one would be molested unless they wanted a fight. Then they were told why we were there; to have them go on a reservation peace-ably as the other tribes were doing. This they agreed to do, and when told they could go, the men, women and chil­dren lost no time getting away.

A courier was sent out telling them they could come back and get their camp and everything in it. So they came and moved their tents and belongings this forenoon. The chiefs, Medicine Arrow, Big Head and Dull Knife, are being held as security for the promises they have agreed to perform. The first to be done is to bring in the white prisoners who were taken beyond the camp along the creek, which is bordered with high underbrush.

Several Indians came in and wanted to give the two women in exchange for the chiefs, but were told that was not the agreement, and the three chiefs would not be given up until they were all settled at Camp Supply. Some of the boys counted the tents and there were nearly 200, and they average six to the tent, or about 1200 Indians. It is considered some strategy to capture that many hostile Indians without firing a shot. Just now all we can show for all our long walk and starvation is three Indians whom the tribe wants badly and may fight to regain.

Wednesday, March 17, 1869

We are waiting for something to be done and it may be a fight, for no white prisoners have yet arrived, but they are holding out for an exchange, which has been positively refused. We have moved our camp today, down the creek toward the camp of Little Robe. We learned there was great excitement in their camp when we moved in their di­rection, although Gen. Custer had informed Little Robe that he was going to move toward his camp, but had no inten­tion of coming within eight or ten miles.

After we had camped, Gen. Custer sent a messenger asking Little Robe to visit his camp. After his arrival he assured Gen. Custer he was doing all he could to have the prisoners brought in, but they were beyond his power, and if we had to fight to get them he would not have any part in the conflict, but would try to have them brought in.

We have camped the wagons between the two regi­ments so we are protected on both sides. The teamsters of the two trains are vi8iting together. I found my cousin and he told me that one of the women prisoners was a sister of one of the teamsters. On inquiry I found he was along with this expedition to see if he could find any trace of her.

We hunted among the hundred or so teamsters and finally learned his name and found him and he gave me a good account of himself and sister. He said he was a Civil War soldier; was in a New Jersey regiment with his father and brother. His name was D. A. Brewster. Both his father and brother were killed, but he went through and was discharged and then went to their home near Trenton. The mother, sister and himself then moved to Pennsylvania where his mother died. He then left his sister with friends and went to Kansas and took up a claim of 160 acres on the Solomon River. After he had built a cabin he sent for his sister to come out and keep house for him. In the fall of the year 1867 the Indians made raids on the settlers and they had information that Indians had been seen only a few miles from their claim.

The settlers hurried their families and the old men in wagons to a place of safety. After they had gotten them started the younger men went to intercept the Indians but missed them. The Indians followed the wagon train but there were not enough to capture it, so they tried to stam­pede the horses by shooting and yelling, and succeeded in frightening a span of fancy horses driven by a young couple who had been recently married. This team ran away and all the Indians followed to capture the team and entirely abandoned the wagon train. Miss Brewster was with these settlers but after the scare they returned to their homes, and there was no further trouble from the Indians that year.

Last year his sister had married another settler near their claim, named James S. Morgan, and just a month after their marriage Morgan had finished gathering corn on his (Brewster's) place when he saw some Indians coming toward him. He had just gotten the horses loose from the wagon when an Indian slipped through the corn and shot him through the hip, but only a flesh wound. He left his team, which ran away. He dodged around through the corn until he came to the river where he jumped in, but they did not look in the brush for him. After they had gone he crawled out and to the wagon where he was found later and taken to the hospital. The horses ran home and it is thought Mrs. Morgan took one of the horses to go and look for her husband, thinking he had a runaway, and while on her search was picked up by the Indians, as one of the horses was gone and the other at home, loose with harness on. Next day they tracked the Indians up northwest over the divide between the Solomon and Republican rivers where there had been quite a large camp, but all had gone to the west from there. Ever since his sister's capture Brewster has been at forts and with troops, trying to find some trace of her and now he has great hopes that one of the women is she.

Indian messengers are coming and going all day, but while they are holding the women we are likely to stay here and we have nothing to eat. The excitement is so great we hear very little complaint about hunger or anything else, so it is just watchful waiting.

Thursday, March 18, 1869

We move a mile up the creek again today and below where the Indian camp was located and where there is more feed for the horses and mules. We drew three-quarters of a pound of beef today, which is the last beef, and we have not had a hardtack for several days. We are living on ex­citement now and our stomachs are getting so used to being empty that they have shrunk to fit the occasion.

Indian messengers are still coming and going but we have seen no white women. They are still holding out for the exchange and Gen. Custer is very much disgusted with their continual demand, "Want to talk some more." I understand he has told them if the prisoners are not in our camp before sundown tomorrow he will hang Big Head and Dull Knife to a large overhanging tree. He took them and showed the limb and explained it so they understood just what he meant. After that he would attack any of them he could find. It is their last chance to save the lives of their chiefs and they most likely think more of them than they do of the white prisoners. We have more ammu­nition now than we have provisions, so we must be on the move very soon.

Friday, March 19, 1869

It is nice and peasant this morning and everybody is quietly waiting. We have a double line of pickets out today for we do not know whether it is war or peace, and may see Indians coming over the hills in all directions to try and rescue the prisoners held by our troops. Everyone has his gun ready for use and where it can be used quickly. Everybody is watching for the coming of the captives, but we do not know from what direction they will come. They were taken northwest and up the creek, but may be brought in from some other direction.

We hear no complaints about hunger for everybody is anxious and excited, hoping to see the prisoners brought in. The Indian chiefs are sullen and occasionally mutter some­thing to each other. Evidently they do not like to see the lariats hanging from the willow limb.

The excitement is intense after noon. We are told that rations are being issued. The officers have divided equally with the men, even to Gen. Custer, who turned his private wagon over to the men and told them to divide what it con­tained among themselves, for he could live without eating as long as any of them.

Between 3 and 4 o'clock some one yelled, "Hurrah they're coming"' and to the southwest, about where we came over the hill to attack the camp, we saw three or four Indians on ponies bearing a white flag, and with them were the captives. They stopped at the picket first, and sent one of their number down the hill to our camp and informed Gen. Custer the prisoners were ready to be de­livered, but they wanted two of the chiefs in exchange.

They were told that there would be no exchange, but in less than an hour there would be two dead chiefs if they were not here before that time. The messenger said, "Come out and get them."

Gen. Custer said to Col. Moore, "As these are Kansas women I detail you and your officers to receive them."

Col. Moore and Majors Jones and Jenkins rode out to the post and brought them in. As they were coming, two lines were soon formed and they passed between the lines and it surely was a pitiful sight to behold.

Before going between the lines they all dismounted and the larger woman led by Col. Moore and the other by Maj. Jones passed down the lines. The larger one appeared to be 50 years old, although she was less than 25. She was stooped, pale and haggard, looking as if she had been com­pelled to do more than she was able. She was quite tall, with light hair that was bleached on top until it was dirty brown from exposure. Her clothes were made of three or four kinds of material, pieces of tents and blankets, all worn out and sewed together with strings.

The other was much younger looking and did not show the hard usage. She also was pale and dressed pretty much the same. The Indians did not even allow them a blanket to cover their ragged clothing. I heard that Brewster was there when they arrived at the tent and recognized the larger one as his sister and said to her, "Oh, sister, how you must suffer!" I also heard they had made several attempts to escape but were caught every time.

The Indian mes­senger took the pony the girls came in on and escaped as rapidly as he could.

The chiefs are not so sullen now, but the ropes still hang from the limbs and some of the boys are hoping they will be hung yet.

The prisoners are Mrs. Anna Belle Morgan and Miss Sarah C. White. The latter was captured two months be­fore Mrs. Morgan from a settler's cabin near the Republican River. Mrs. Morgan is nearly 25 years old and Miss White 19. They have been together most of the time, in a camp of the Dog Soldiers, who are composed of outlaws from their own tribe. They lived like gypsies, moving from place to place, and got their subsistence from robbing and murdering settlers and wagon trains. They were not honest with their own people and were not allowed to mix with them.

Mrs. Morgan learned from her brother that her husband was not killed, but wounded, so she may yet get to see him. Miss White does not know if her people were killed, for the last she saw of her mother she was forced inside their cabin and the girl was taken by force and bound to a pony and carried away. Both women have had a hard life to endure as their faces show. They did not even smile when they were brought in.

Saturday, March 20, 1869

Reveille at 4 and we March at 6 and think we are going home, but camp a short distance above the abandoned In­dian camp. We can now see where the tents stood. Some of the boys found a dead Indian woman, covered with brush. She was very old and in their haste to leave, the Indians had not taken time to bury her. Those who found the body took shovels and piled dirt over her several feet high so the wolves will hardly find her.

We are entirely out of supplies and have no idea how soon we will get anything to eat. We have not felt hunger since we have had so much excitement.

The white women are very much pleased with their present situation. When they were taken to see the chiefs Mrs. Morgan tried to get Col. Moore's revolver to shoot Big Head, and said he was the worst Indian in the whole tribe. The women tried to escape in November but it snowed in the night and their tracks were followed and they were cap­tured the next afternoon, and had to ride back behind their captors. Their feet were so sore and lacerated from trav­eling all night that they suffered great pain for many days, so they did not try to escape again.

It is said that Mrs. Morgan has not even smiled since she has been released from captivity, while Miss White is becoming quite cheerful. Dan Brewster has sworn ven­geance on the Indians for the rough treatment of his sister. He looks as though he would do what he made up his mind to do. He is not very talkative, but I had a friendly chat with him and he told me a lot about his Kansas experi­ence and his claim on the Solomon.

Sunday March 21, 1869

We were all ready to march at daylight when a troop of Indians. Came bearing a white flag and wanted one more talk with the "White Chief." It was the last effort to se­cure the release of their chiefs. They made all kinds of promises and were willing to give any security they had if Custer would set them at liberty. They were told that it was impossibility, but if the tribe would go on a reserva­tion and be peaceable they would be set free and also the woman and children captured at the fight on November 27 last. Also that the prisoners would be well treated if they did not try to escape. Three months would give them time to all get in around Camp Supply and when they had done so, all the prisoners held by the Government would be re­leased and taken to Camp Supply and given their freedom. They finally departed apparently satisfied and said they would soon be on the reservation.

Then the command started toward the north and by night came to what was called Sergeant Major Creek, a branch of the Washita, where we went into camp.

When a mule or horse gives out he is shot, and when there was an opportunity the boys would cut out a piece of the flesh, even if it were very poor, and take it with them. After we were in camp I took a stroll to where my com­pany was camped and some of the boys were cooking mule meat. We had been to see Sergt. Mather and he told us there was nothing in the wagons to eat and we would have to get along the best we could until we arrived at the camp on the Washita.

Some of the boys said mule meat was as good as beef, and wanted me to taste it, but it had not been salted and I could not eat it Perhaps it was because I knew what it was and it made me feel sick. I then went up to Capt. Finch's mess and they were just eating the last they had and I told him the boys were eating mule meat. The captain asked if I liked it. I told him I had tasted it, but could not eat it He offered me over half of what he had left, but I refused. He insisted so hard, I ate a bite or two and as they had so little I would eat no more.

Our squad is pretty small now; George Vann, Ingleman and myself, and we are with our companies most of the time during the day, but stay with the wagons at night. I spent an hour visiting my cousin this evening and he said Dan Brewster was with his sister most of the time, as he was only a substitute teamster and had no team to look after. We have quite a large wagon train, but kill some disabled mules every day.

The Government does not own any of the train, but con-tractors furnish the train wagons and mules to transport Government property, and the wagons and mules destroyed are not any loss to the Government. The teamsters are well supplied with provisions for the trip before they start out, and it is surmised much of the stores taken and laid to the soldiers, was taken to keep up their larder.

March 22, 1869

It has been a cold night, but is cloudy this morning. We are in marching order by daylight and our course is down the creek toward the Washita. We are in a poor con­dition to stand very much cold as there are only three of us and have but three blankets between us, and no tent, so sleep under a wagon. We were pretty cold all night, but slept most of the time. We know that there are plenty of provisions, blankets and clothing not very far ahead and all are very anxious to get there.

There was quite an excitement among the men this morning. Someone had stolen the train master's riding mule during the night for he could not find it. He was a fat, sleek animal and would make much better eating than those poor, starved mules, so he thinks his mount was killed and eaten by some of the soldiers. If they did it they covered up the evidence, for hide or hair of it could not be found. He went around cursing everybody and offered a big sum if anyone would show him who took his mule. No one was even cooking mule meat. If he came near any of the companies the boys would jeer him, which made him all the worse. I feel like I would like something to eat.

We camp tonight again on Sergeant Major Creek, but we can see a line of timber a few miles ahead and we think it is the Washita and only a very few miles from the camp we are looking for.

I got a little salt from my cousin and tried to eat mule meat, but it did not take much to do me, for I was sick for a while. As the Washita cannot be much farther, we are contemplating getting up early and when the camp guard is being called in, to slip out and hurry to the Washita and follow that stream, until we find the camp. The troopers are going too slow for us, as they have to keep with the train of wagons.

If we get started before the advance guard we can keep ahead of them. We are now sure we can find the train for we have only to follow the river. If we fail we can return to the wagon trail and follow it until we catch up. So, we have decided to make a trial. We have been assured that this creek flows into the Washita, so we will cut across the country to the timber on our right, which is pretty heavy and must be along a large stream.

The mules are giving out much faster than the horses. We seldom see a horse and they are in advance but we often see a team with a mule refusing to go and it is taken out and shot, and the wagon goes on with four mules instead of six, or another is put in his place after a wagon is abandoned and burned.

Tuesday, March 23, 1869

We are up before daylight and all ready to start out as soon as the bugle calls in the pickets who come in and get their breakfast, when they have anything to eat.

Finally recall sounded and we were near the picket line and hid until they passed, when we pulled out as fast as we could walk and it was not long until we had left the camp some distance behind. We felt like deserters, but we were going for something to eat, and when we got it we would take our places again. We saw some prairie dogs, some quail and a cottontail or two but we were not looking for game and we did not want to shoot for some scout might be near and take us back to the regiment.

About 9 o'clock we came to what we supposed to be the Washita for it was the largest stream we had seen since we crossed the North Fork of Red River a day before we captured the Indians. We followed down the south or right bank, keeping near the timber. Finally we decided we were likely to pass the train, for they might be camped on the other side, so we went in close to the stream, when about 3 o'clock we came to a place where we found piles of animal bones. There were so many bones that we con­cluded it must be where Gen. Custer had his fight with Black Kettle and the bones were those of the several hundred Indian ponies killed after the fight. Then we looked.

Around for some time to see if we could see anything else that indicated a fight I found a broken revolver quite rusty and a few marks on trees and finally decided it was where the fight took place, and near which the wagon train and the rest of the regiment were to meet.

We started on, and had only gone a little distance when we came to a place where some logs and limbs had been placed around a couple of mounds. Here then was the place where Maj. Elliott and the nineteen troopers had been buried. Then we knew for sure we were on the right road. We then started on and soon met a trooper on horseback who was much surprised to see us. We asked the first thing if he had anything to eat with him. He said no, but there was plenty a mile below here. Then Gus asked him if he had any tobacco, so he gave Gus a cigar, which he broke in two pieces and handed one to me. I put it in my mouth and chewed it, and for a Wonder it tasted good and did not make me sick. We then hurried along and soon came to the camp where we hunted up our separate Com­panies.

As soon as I got to my company the boys all came to say "Hello," and asked all kinds of questions. They had heard nothing of us and some of them said they never expected to see us again. They could not understand how we came to be the only ones saved alive, and I had to explain it all to them. I told them I had lived on air and water for a couple of weeks and would like something to eat. They soon had plenty before me but I could only eat a cracker and drink a cup of coffee and that was enough to make me sick for a while. Frank Doty and Bill Radenbocker took me to their tent arid wanted to know so many things that I gave them my diary and went to sleep.

Wednesday, March 24, 1869

The command got in last night after dark, but the wagon train did not arrive until about 10 o'clock this forenoon. I slept pretty late and ate a little breakfast and had the best cup of coffee I ever drank in my life.

After breakfast I had to tell the boys all about the trip and about the women taken from the Indians. I could not answer all the questions, so told them to let me tell them all about it and referred to my notes so would not miss any­thing. As Frank and Bill had read it all they helped me out from what they could remember.

I never did so much talking in all my life. The other boys who were along could not tell much except they were so tired and had so little to eat that it affected their mem­ory, and they did not know whether they were dead or alive.

About sixty wagons left here yesterday after more provisions to be brought from Camp Supply. "Major" Inman, as he is called, but he is only an army contractor, sent a courier last night after the train to have them return as the hor8es and mules we have cannot be expected to haul even the empty wagons. The boys here have tents and more bag­gage than we had in both regiments, when we came in from the campaign.

A good many of the boys are sick today from overeating, but I have profited by my former experience when we first arrived at Camp Supply, so am only eating a cracker an hour, and then I am more hungry than when I first came in. I drank a lot of coffee though. I am staying with the boys now and our squad have naturally gone to their companies, but we are at liberty to get together again and may do so.

I will consult Sergt. Mather and he may need us, and if so we would not have to be detailed as we are supposed to be on duty when there is any duty to do. He told me once that if they ever had full rations to issue again he would like for me to help him as a permanent detail, which I will be very much pleased to do.

The wagon train called back from en route to Camp Supply came in this evening for they had only been gone one day. It has been raining all day, and is quite muddy. Doty and Bill seem never to get tired asking questions. When any of the other boys come to see me they tell them I am sick and don't want to be disturbed. Capt. Finch came to see me, saying he heard I was sick, but I told him I was feeling pretty good now.

When I went up to the company officers' tents Lieut. Stoddard shook hands with me and was very friendly and hoped that when we became citizens again we would hold no animosity toward each other. I told him I had no grudge against him, but I did not trust him because he had told me if I would enlist I should be company clerk and do no guard duty, but when he had gone to the adjutant and had me taken off the detail as company clerk, so I would have to do a common soldier's duty, I had lost confidence in him as an honorable man, while Capt. Finch had been my best friend and I would always honor him for it.

It is nearly a mile up to the spot called the battlefield where I had picked up the old revolver, which is worthless. I traded for another Colt's revolver, but broken, and am going to keep it to take home. One of the boys had a good Remington revolver he said he would give me, for he did not want to carry it, so now I have two revol­vers to carry, one a good one, but I have no cartridges for it. All the boys are anxious to see the captives, the Kansas women who are with our regimental officers and the In­dians who are with the Seventh.

If we stay here tomorrow I want to go up and see the "battle ground" so I can tell more about it. Many of the boys who came across from North Fork have visited the battle ground, and had three weeks of picnic compared to what some of us had. We are camped in the valley near the river and a couple of hundred yards from the road we made on the way down to Fort Cobb. The rain did not stop the men from loading our plunder on the wagons to be taken to Camp Supply. 

Ronald Roy Wallace

ronwally@yahoo.com

 

Return to 19th Kansas Cavalry Home Page