The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1869-01-08
ElsOM THE. 18TH REGIMENT.
FoRT DopGE, KANSAS, !
DacaFY1lsnr IL 1863

.EDITOR E4IPoRIA NEws-Sir: Think
ing a few lines from the Emporia boys
who are members of the 10Th Kansas
Cavalry would be Interesting to youl
readers l will endeavor TO write them
and hope you will excuse all mistakes
both clerical and grainmatical, as we
have but few conveniences for writing
here.
Our regiment left Emporia Novem:
Der 3d. in the midst of severe rain
storm which drenched us freely all day
and the following night; when, seeing
we were gritty and hard to conquer, the
euetily changed tactics and gave us
covering of snow, which was re-
| ceived with cheers, curses, jokes, and
all the different emotions and passions
| found in n full regiment of soldiers.
About midway between Emporia and
Wichita we run out of rations and had
to depend on buying and begging till
we arrived at Wichita. This in connec-
ton with bad weather caused many to
desert before we arrived at the State
line. Out of all who have deserted we
yet have the honor of saying not sin
gle member of Company 81 has-6feserted.
Wearrived at Wichita November 18th
where we halted for one day only, load
ing our wagons and fitting up for the
march across the plains. Everything
being in order. on the morning of the
18th we crossed the Arkansas river and
started in good earnest on the Indian
raid and here commences the funny
part of our campaign, if there is any
connected with it thus far. We started
from Wichita with five DAYS rations,
and were out twenty-one days before
we could draw again. So after deduct
ing the five from twenty-one we find a
balance of sixteen days, which time we
subsisted entirely on buffalo meat with
out salt, or as the boys called it, buffalo
straight. Regardless of hunger and IA
tigue, amidst the most incIement wealth.
er, we kept pushing on, making short
marches, till on the 10Th of November
we arrived at the Cimarron river, where,
finding portion of our command. both
men and horses, unfit to proceed fur
Their we left about one-third of the COM
mand and the remainder pushed on on
their tiresone march, principally on
foot, and leading, or rather dragging
their now completely jaded horses.
After three days longer of toiling and
starving we arrived, November 25th, ut
Gen. Sully's camp, on the North Cana
dian, where we found plenty of rations
and hearty welcome from the soldiers
of Gen. Sheridan's command. "A train
of wagons having been sent out to meet
10 AuASSC0 us OIlJ lOuI1
our command left behind, so in few
days they too arrived at headquarters.
in miserable condition, many of them
barefOOted and limping along on frozen
feet. We do not like to censure a man
who stands so high in the esteem of the
people of Kansas as Col. S. j. Craw-
ford does, yet we feel that W have been
shamPfully mistreated by some one-by
whom we don't pretend to say-but as
the general government never mistreats
any one, some smaller fry must bear the
blame. Of one thing we are certain
if the regiment had the choosing of a
commander to-day S. j. CraW ford
would not get any votes; also in time to
come said S. j. will get but few votes
from the 18th for any position in civil
life. Our loss in horses thus far amounts
to about five hundred. If we can't kill
Indians we can kill Uncle Sans horses,
and do it i'll the best of style on short
notice.
Our company, Nj, is now on detail
guarding a train which came from Camp
Supply to this place. We will start on
our return trip in a few days. The re-
mainder of the regiment have gone
with Gen. Sheridan out south where
they expect soon to meet the foe. /
presume we will join them On our re-
turn.
All the Emporia boys believe are
well and hearty, and ready any time for
the fight; SO if the ladies of Emporia do
not get some fashionable chignons next
spring on our return it will not be our
fault. Our young friend and officer
Lieut.. j. p. Hurst is enjoying good
health, is general f;Ivorite among his
own boys, and in fact throughout the
company-it is believed jim will do to
tie to.
But it is growing late, and for fear of
firing your patience and thus crowding
my letter out of your columns, 1 will
close. So requesting you to send us a
number of Your paper if convenient,
and wishing TIE NEWS much success,
remain Yours respectfully,
NJ. A. VIcToR,