The New Orleans crescent. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1866-1869, 1869-04-11


Headwaiers Of Nashita River, Texas,
March 81. 1869. J
Major General p II. Sheridan Commanding the Department
On the morning Of the ID instant, my command,
composed OF eleven troops Of the seventh United
States cavalry, and ten troops Of the nineteenth
Ksusss cavalry. left its camp on Medicine Bluf
Creek, about thirty miles due south from Fort
Cobb. My course was via Camp Rsdziminski,
mouth Of Elk Creek, to point On the North Fork
OF Red River, q few miles above the mouth OF Salt
Creek. Here | divided my commsnd into two
columns. Selecting about eight hundred OF the
most effective men from both regiments directed
Breyet Lieutenant Colonel Myers, seventh cavalry,
to proceed in command OF the remainder and sur
plus train up the North Fork, and across TO point
on the Wsshita, near the late battle ground, and
with that portion OF the command selected for
the purpose, ] left our camp on the North Fork
on the morning of the 9th ult., and marched due
west. striking the Salt Fork alter a ie@ hours
march. About noon We struck fresh trail of
single lodge and fourteen animals leading up the
Salt Fork. Taking the pursuit we followed, the
trail three days and one night and. on the sfter'
noon of the third day, surprised the party we
were pursuing, while seeking shelter from APP
preaching storm, capturing their lodge, cooking
utensils provisions and eleven Of their ponies, the
party, which consisted OF nine Cheyennes, barely
making its escape into one Of the many ravlnes
near by. This was one of the small parties which
the Cheyepnes had cent to the vicinity ST our
camps on Medicine Bluff Creek to observe and re-
port our movements, and was then on its way 10
the main village 70 report'that We were again on
the move. The point at which the capture was
made was in Texas, on small fresh water tTi0u-
tary Of Salt Fork.
On the morning Of the 9th we moved Ia west
erly direction, marched sill day, but we're unable
TO find water and were forced TO make dry camp
on the prairie. Before daylight the next morning.
! we resumed the march, changing our course 10 the
south, end by noon reached camp on Middle Fork
8 stream which on some maps IS designated as
| Gypsum Creek. -, -
| ON the following morning we moved towards the
southwest, crossing Mulberry Creek. Our march
was continued until came in sight Of the banks
of the main Red River.-Here we discovered the
| trail of one lodge leading northwest. The trau
was nearly one month old, but with the hope that
it would lead to others, we took mp, and before
| pursuing 1t many miles had the satisfaction Of
seeing the trail increased by that Of eleven lodges
| all about the same time.
| That night we encamped on the head waters Of
| Mulberry Creek, occupying the ground selected
for the same purpose by the Indians. From this
| point the trail led northwsTd. Notwitbs anding
| the trail was very old, felt confident that with
| due precautions, and knowing the lazy manner 10
| which Indians move when not pursued, we could
overhaul them or at least get very near them, be-
fore our proximity was discovered; Thanks TO
| their superior geographical knowledge WAS not
troubled by routes, wster nor camping grounds.
| The trail led us by easy marches 10 good water,
plenty Of timber. and the best camping grounds
| that could be selected.
| On the morning Of the 18th the pursuit was re.
sumed. Early in the day the trail was found TO be
enlarged by the addition of forty-two lodges, and
before night about 90 many more Joined, making
the tsi one OF over hundred lodges, ana SO
horses have kept up the gait. That night We en-
| csmped on Middle Fork.
The morning of the 18th We observed fresher
| signs or Indians than we had yet seen, indicating
that they had left the Middle Fork not more than
| g week previous. This will be understood when
| IL is known that in the ordinary manner Of moving
the village remains from three days TO q week 10
| each camp, and then moves bat about ten miles
before making another camp.
We moved without delay, and one OF our
/ marches eoualled two or three made BY the In
oisns. AS the trail grew warmer It became neces
sary to adopt additional precautions to insure
success. No bugle calls or discharges OF ire arms
| were permitted. Fires we're lighted alter DARK
and covered with earth before daylight. Tents
were burned and all blankets In excess of one per
man, and all clothing shared the same fate.
| Daily the pursuit was continued until the morn
log of the 18th, when we reached camp ground
on the North Fork which had been abandoned
oply two days before. Encouraged by the pros
pect, We pressed forward, and by noon the ad
vance had made twenty miles. lff
| Hard Robe. the war chief Of the Osages, aDC
who at this moment was running the trail, discoy
cred, about one mile in advance herd OF forty o.
fifty ponies, grazing and herded BY two Indians
The latter discovered rs at the same time, enc
| drove the herd rapidly in the direction OF a tim
bered stream, which could be seen some two o.
three miles beyond. l at once sent orders back q
the c. lumn, which was still o considerable dis
lance in the rear, TO close up at rapid gait.
The deep sand, and the exhausted condition oil
| the horses and men, prevented this being don
promptly. was uncertain as to whether the VII
| lage was In our front or whether the herd see
driven OF was merely on the move. If the latter
desiring to effect its capture, advanced with III
| few men then In front In the direction taken b.
| tie herd. After proceeding about two miles, In
disns could be seen 10 front, partially conceale
behind the sand hills. and watching our move
nents. Taking my orderly with me, advance
10 learn their character and intentions. After col
| siderable signaling and psrleying, eight Indian
| came forward TO meet me. From them lesrne
, that the entire Cheyenne tribe, numbering tw
hundred and sixty lodges, was encamped at dliie
: ent points within ten or fifteen miles from whev
we then were. A few moments afterwards thift
or forty Indians rode up TO us, including Medicin
' Arrow, the head chief Of the Cheyennes, and se'
1 anal ofher nofed chiela of tha sama iriha. Fro