The weekly north Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1857-1867, 1864-10-05
McGREGOR, IOWA, WEDNESDAY, OCT. 5, 1854.

From the 7th Cavalry.
JULEsBURGH, Col TER,
| Sept. 1st, 1864. {
Eds Since last had the presumption
to write you, Co. F has changed its bas'
several times, and is at present temporarily
stationed at Julesburgh, Colorado Territory
and as q short sketch Of its marches, &c.
might not be uninterestipg to the many
readers of the TINES who have friends ant
relatives in the company, will give .
hurried resume of where we have been and
what has been done since we left Cotton
wood.
July 10th, in company with Co. D, of tht
7th, took up our line of march for For
Laramie, as an escort to Gen. Mitchell, who
was visiting the different Posts Of this Dis
trict, snd after 10 days march, arrived al
the Fort without accident or the loss of .
man, and went into quarters as part o
the regular garrison. with Major Wood, ol
the 7th, as commander of the Post. After
remaining there about . month, in the
meantime scouting among the hills and
mountains almost constantly in search Of
Indians, who we're disposed to appropriate
not only the goods and chattles Of the
innocent emigrant, but also those of our
venerable Uncle-Sam-to their own use,
but without success, our every effort for
their recovery having proved futile, the
order for our return to this place was hail
ed with pleasure by all. 1t was thought
we did some pretty good marching when
we went out, but the time made in coming
to this place was trifle better, marching
some 200 miles in little more than days
time. The scenery along the North Platte
and about Ft. Laramie. is very beautiful,
but for white man to think of lioing there
is out of the question, though he might
stay for time if he be man of remark
ably strong constitution. Little did think,
when youth Of tender years, as paid
my hard. earned 25 cents, all in specie, to
'go into the show" and there gaze with
wonder and astonishment upon Court
House Rock, Chimney Rock, the Devils
Gate, &C., as seen by the aid of q Magic
Lantern, as daubed upon canvass, that
should ever see those wonderful works Of
nature, but "sich is life;'' though cannot
say that have any particular desire to see
them again.
One evening as we were about to 60 into
camp, we came upon a company Of what
was supposed to be Indians; and notwith
standing we had marched over GO miles that
day, being both tired and hungry, the pros
pect of brush with those iends in human
form, gave US rest and satisfied our hunger!
We rode to within short distance of the
camp, when person was seen skulking in
the grass near by, in rather suspicious
manner, and was politely told by our guide
in the Sioux tongue, (the guide believing
they were Cheyennes, if Indians at all ) to
come to halt, and the prospect of a muss
grew beautifully less as he was answered
in pure Anglo Saxon that he was a friend
Upon inquiry, learned there was a large
Mormon train camped there instead of In
dians, and it was but short time ere we
were sleeping as soundly as if there were
no Indians in the country. ........... ...
The next morning we passed the Mormon
train of $50 wagons, and it was . sad,
though interesting spectacle, to see these
poor, deluded people, from oil parts Of the
world, Of all ages, from the grey haired old
man just tQttering on the brink Of the
grave, to the child OF doubtful age, perhaps
one week, and perhaps older-I could not
state with accuracy, not being posted in
affairs Of that kind-wending their way to
the so-cslled Land Of Promise at Salt Lake,
without murmur, there to be more slave
than the negro Of the South; but their
skin is white, which fact fails of late to
enlist the sympathy of the Summers, the
Phillipses, the 7ri6unes, &c. The average
number of persons to the wagon was not
less than IL to Is, old and young, and frc m
the appearance Of some, the prospect of an
increase in the population Of the train be-
fore its arrival at Salt Lake. is very fair.
We arrived at this place q week ago, and
since that time have been scouting up and
down the road, repairing telegraph lines,
&c. The mail has not been running for
nearly month, the Indians having run off
a part of the stock between here and Fort
Kearney. but it is hoped it will soon be in
running order again, for we begin to want
to hear from America once more. There
has been considerable trouble the past
month with the Indians between here and
Fl. Kearney, they having attacked small
parties of emigrants. killing several and
running off their stock, besides attacking
some of the Ranchmen. The Ranches,
with one or two exceptions, are all abandon.
ed between here and Cottonwood, and be.
low that place, and there are also reports
that the garrison at Cottonwood has been
attacked, and that there are some 8, 900 or
1000 Indians preparing to make q sweep
ing massacre Of all the whites along the
Platte valley; but this is merely rumor,
and think little exaggerated. There
is only portion of the Co. here at present,
the balance OF them being on the way now
from Ft. Laramie, but what there is here,
should Mr.. Indian make raid upon us, he
would find Capt. mick" ready for him.
How long We are to remain here is very
uncertain, but think not longer than cold
2.