White Cloud Kansas chief. [volume] (White Cloud, Kan.) 1857-1872, 1869-05-06
Gorftspc,,oenfe.
tFor the Chief,
Clusters Twenty Days Scout.

Clusters IWcuty AAyS SS
C.xr 7th q. S. CAvALRY.
Fosr Hars, Kansas, April "a, 1867
The command of the 7th U. 8. Cavalry and
the 18th Kansas Volunteers was lying in camp,
with it's dull life and careless Accommodations
at Medicine Bluff Greek. Indian Territory, in
the month Of January. Our camp was beauti-
fully located-at the east end of the Wichita
Mountains. General Custer received orders
to march Eve troops of the T,h Cavalry against
the CHEYENNE and Arapahoe Indians that had
refused to ma &c peace until their two Chiefs,
Satanta and Lone Wolf, we're released. The
2lst day of January. Gen. Custer and - men,
with the best horse, of the command. left the
camp on Medicine Bluff Creek, with eight
days rations on horss and four pack mules.
Our scouts we're California Joe and Romeo.
With four Indian guides. our small party LEFT
campat noon, marching thirty miles the same
evening, passing the Camanche, Kiowa and
Apache camps. The three tribes just named
were encamped along Cash Greek, Indian
Territory.
That night We camped within one hundred
yards of the Apache camp, they being very
friendly; tfading tobacco for sugar. On the
morning Of the 22d We started onward. desti
nation unknown, marching up beautiful val
ley, mountains to the right and left. We
marched three days up that valley; The scene
ry was picturesqre-the valley, with noun
tains on either side. massive rocks hanging
over the heads ofpassers by. Marching around
the west end Of the Wichita Mountains, then
direct south west, on the 23d we crossed and
camped along the Wichita River. 1t COM
menced raining at dark, and the wind raging
terribly, We slep: but little that night. On the
Oath, marched thirty miles by noon. Met the
Arapahoes, under Little Raven, encsmped
along the North Fork of Red River. sixty
lodges. The south side Of the plain is inter
sected with sand.hills, which were occupied
by Little Ravens warriors. Signals were ex-
changed, and terms Of capitulation agreed
upon at once. Our party marched through the
Indian camp. Custer told their Chief plainly
that if they wanted fight, they could have Il.
| Our determined leader made the Chief be.
lieve the forty-Hv men Of his bravest Warri
ors we're able and willing to fight them, and
capture their ponies and take their camp
Custer told him each man be had was good foI
one hundred Of his warriors. They were toe
cowardIy to fight usi although they had 1--WE
times our number. We laid over near the
Indian camp two days. Little Raven prom
ised to move his hand to our main camp, 4
distance of one hundred miles from this place
Yellow Bear acted as our guide, while We
were marching south west, after the Chey
ennes. Marching until we struck Red River
no signs get of our retreating foe. Crossed
and recrcssed Red River, marching a north
west direction for two days. Custer, seeing
he could follow them no longer with his hand
full Of men, two hundred miles from supple.
and out Of rations. went into camp along
Starvation Creek, sending bis scouts out. tc
ascertain the Whereabouts Of the Cheyenns
encampmens. Three days had passed; the
scouts returned, bringing no information what
ever in regard TO the Cheycnnes.
The Sd day of February, We marched dowr
Starvation Greek sfseeR miles. We were
compelled to kill an. eat one Of our horses;
lived three days on hnrse flesh alone. march
ing twenty Eve to thirty miles each day. Ou
the 4th, We eamped along Turkey Creek
abundance Of turkeys there. took my car
bine, and in less than twenty minutes had kill
ed two and had them in camp roasting. We
hunted turkeys that night, by the light of tn,
moon. P. Bender and myself killed two more
for breakfast. We had been out fifteen days
on eight days ra,ions. On the 9th day o
February, we met Lieut.. Johnson, with two
wagons Of supplies from our main camp. which
was ninety-six miles hom here. a gain ou
. hungry wants we're satisfied with hard-tacl
and piece Of sow-belly. Our party were nv
more days going into camp. Lost one maj
and twenty horses. while We were on the twen
ty days scout. The post was established a
Medicine Bluff Creek. 1t will be known here
after as Fort Elliott, l. T..
Yours, ". v. GORDON.