The Buchanan County guardian. (Independence, Buchanan County, Iowa) 1858-1864, 1863-09-22
Correspondence Of the Guardian.
INDIAN EXPEDITION, APPLE R1vER}
Camn No 30 Luly 3lst ls62

FRIEND R1cn GLORY We have
chased the Indian from his happy hunt.
ing grounds, we have pursued him be-
You'd the rolling waters Of the Missouri
have destroyed his properly, his food,
and terribly punished him for his alroci.
ties, have slain from l2) 70 l5) Of the
enemy, with los on our side Of three
killed and three wounded, and now, hay
ing accomplished the great aim OF the
expedition, we will return to receive tie
warm thanks Of a grateful country. All
this in General Orders No. 81, dated
Camp Slaughter, July 3lst, 1868, and
much more TO the me effect, if not IN
the exact words, yet the substance as
near as | can recolect
am slightly bewildered, feel some
whai, 10 doubt, as that individual did who
woke up one morning and found him
self famous didn't think we were such
heroes. but If Brig. Gen. Ii. Ii. Sibley
says so OF course he cannot be mistaken.
That We have met the enemy and they
ran, that We have had some skirmishes,
and perhaps what may be called one
battle, that | have fired at what Mcy
said we're Indians, three quarters Of a
mile or more away, all this know, but
il a reputation for yalor can be lhus
cheaply acquired, give me more fight
ing and less marching, and YOU will do
me favor. Shall jump at once into
the details OF the fight, or will you fol-
low up our little army from the time it
left Camp Atchison { Lake Emily) until
we reach the Missouri River ? The lat
ter think will be preferable as you will
lhen ger a connected history OF our
whole proceedings.
We left Lake Emily the 2Jth Of July,
and that day under hot sun made the
longes march we had ye, undergone,
% miles. Mules and men succumbed
to the heat and fatigue, and that day, in
my opinion, dill more damage TO the
whole brigade than All the rest Of the
trip. ind the following entry in my
journal, under date Of July 20th "A
meaner spot for camp could not be pick
ed upon. We have given up seeing
Nbpu, anu yDph hhtNA - OuN VI tilS tihfo
ton, but when il is only a little hole
scarce rod across, and TO get il YOU
must wade in mud TO your knees, Ga
fact) il is enough 10 make a saint sweat
That night quite a delegation OF Red
River half breeds, whose camp we pass
ed through The next day, came over and
had big talk with Gen Sbley or
course they proiessed warm lrIenship
for the Americans, great admiration for
the General, DE, DC, and finally wound
up by offering their services to go with
the expedition IN pursuit Of the Sioux,
which the General politely declined,
thinking, doubtless, he has as many
half breeds and good Indians in his ser
vice now as he can we'll look after
The next day we crossed James River,
remarkable for nothing but the entire
absence Of trees or bushes upon It's
banks, and camped 5y quitesa lake, out
OF which II seems 10 Issue Tie % we
struck The Missouri Coteau, and were
nearly two days passing over ibis miser-
able country. All that | have said in
regard 10 tie wildness and steriity of.
The country before crossing tie Shey
enne, will apply here, only much more
50. Hills and ridges, pom! holes and
gaIies, rocks, bouIiers, pebbles, &c,
are all mixed in promiseu.u~Iy. A. il Ma