The weekly north Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1857-1867, 1863-10-14
MoGREGoR, IOWA, WEDNESDAY, OCT. IA, 1858.
From the 9th Cavalry.
s" DACOrAu. Sent. 21st. lR63

from the Otn cavalry
.a.@" DAcoTAn, Sept. 2lst, 1868.
Dear Times AS you have followed US
faithfully and greeted US quite regularly
with items Of general news and home gos-
sip, it seems no moe than courtesy that
we should say at least something back
especially as President Lincoln says "a
silent man in these times is dangerous
one" ,u0r H.. -'ri ra .~u.-.-- II,
All your readers are pleased to see that
your daddy, the Col, has taken charge Of
you again, and hope he will make you the
same spicy Democratic chap you were in
your carly days.
Wclcft Fort Pierre one Of the most dry,
desolatc, and dusty places in Uncle Sans
broad domain on the 18th day of last Au
gust, for the purpose Of hunting up and
Fighting the Redskins wherever they might
be found. Before leaving Fort Pierre all
those who were considered by the surgeon
as unfit for long, hard march were turned
over to the Post Surgeon until our return,
that the cammand might not be encu nbcred
with the sick. The Sd day out We reached
the river Cheyenne; at that time merely
little, dry run with an occasional pool of
water standing in the bed of the stream.
Here we remained four or five days max.
ing preparations fer leaving the river
Quite a number of sick were sent back
from this place on the boat, also all our
extra baggage, blankets &C. beng allowed
only our blanket, overcoat and talma to
man, and small shcltc, tent for two men.
On Thursday August goth, we were or
dered to march, and We had our tents roll
ed, horses saddlcd and mounted ready for
starting when one Of the most terrific hail
storms burst upon US ever witnessed or
hope to witness again. 1t was fortunate
for us that it was daylight and We were
mounted; otherwise there would have been
great destruction Of property and general
stampede Of horses; as it was, it was almos,
impossible to govern our horses, many Of
them breaking away and dashing across
the camp. ground at full speed. In twenty
minutes after the storm commenced the
water came washing down the bed of the
stream in body at least two feet high,
sweeping logs, cracker boxes, and every
thing rise before it; and in fiftce" minutes
more the stream was six fe,t deep. Many
OF the boys who had taken refuge from the
hail stones behind the banks Of The stream
had barely time to escape from the water,
leaving Several guns, sabres and revolvers
which were swept down by the torrcnt.-
Of course the storm prevented our leaving
,ba, day. We camped that night on the
side hills around, company in a place
wherever it could find a suitable camping
ground. ....
Next day VIC took up the line of march
once again, taking first an casterly, then a
north or northwest course. Seeing on our
march large droves Of Buffalo, hunters
were sent out by orders of Gen. Sully and
we were bountifully supplied with buffalo
meat for several days, they killing them
in large numbers. prefer the meat to
the best quality Of beef. ! had often thought
that l should like to hunt buffalo on horse
back, as it must be rather exciting sport to
ride up along side of shaggy fellow and
give him the contents of your revolver
and intended to so out with the hunters
one day, but the General put veto on any
more hunting, as they killed many more
than could be made use of, and he thou sht
it needless to waste ammunition.
We found the grass much better up in
the buffalo country. The weather was
quite cool, the night being rather uncom.
to'table so, after sending back our extra
blankets; we took two squaws and an
old Indian, prisoners, who Informed US that
Sibley had been up in that part Of the coun
try and had three fights with the Indians,
but gained no decisive victory over them.
Saturday, the Goth, We laid over and scouts
were out in search Of Sibley's camp, said
~ our prisoners to be on Apple river abou,
eighteen miles distant. The camp was
found without difficulty and had the ap.
pearance Of being occupied by Sibley for
some length Of time, as they had earth
works thrown up to protect themselves
from the Indians. The next day We started,
taking first an easterly, then . south east
erly course. The country was hilly, with
great number Of small lakes among them.
some Of which were very pretty. but oil
were strongly in.prcgnated with alkali,
rendering them unfit for use; and we were
obliged to dig wells to procure water for
cooking purposes. .. y @s.
On Thursday Sept Sd, Major House
was sent out to scout for Indians, having
command Co.'S "C,""I," and IF" of the
Sd battalion and Co. "H"of the I'd battal.
lior. We left camp at half past Eve O'Clock
IN the morning, taking south eastcrly
course. the remainder Of the brigade going
more soathcrly. About the middle OF the
2. NJ. as We were letting the horses grass q
lew minutes. and we were lying around on
the ground resting ourselves after our rapid
march. one Of tho guides who was in ad.
vance returned and reported fifteen or
twenty lodges about three miles Distant
This was just what We were all anxious to
hear; and springing to our feet, our rifles
and revolvers were quickly loaded, over