The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1869-02-05
FROM FORT DODGE.
CAMP NJ TRoor. 18th K. V. c.,
FoRT DoDGE, Kan. Jan. 81, '69.S


CAMP NJ TRoor. 18th K. V. c.,
FoRT DODGE, Kan. Jan. u, '69.S
EDrroR EMPoRIA NEws-Sir:: Since
my last communication there have been
several changes in affairs on the plains
of which you as well as your readers
are doubtless apprized; it will be use
less therefore for me to speak of them.
but eonfinc my present letter to affairs
relative to our own company.
We did not, as anticipated, return to
the regiment after our first trip to this
place, but returned to Dodge again,
where we have been making our head
quarters ever since and doing escort du-
tv from here to Hays, Larnard, Camp
Supply and other points i'll the vicinity
of Dodge.
The holidays passed off very dryly
with US, as we were all strapped; but
we were paid off the 10Th of January
aud the boys are now making up lost
time. Our camp presents the appear
ance of an immense commissary or
market place, where almost everything
in the line of edibles is represented.
There is considerable speculation
among the boys relative to our future
service, but the general opinion among
those claiming to be posted is that we
w ill not again be called into active SER
vice and consequently will see no In
dians. l cannot therefore renew my
proposition to the ladies of Emporia to
furnish them chignons at reduced prices.
We are sorry this is the case, and know
of nothing more generous than to offer
as substitute our own glorious ringlets.
In my first communication ] boosted
of the honor of no deserters from NJ
troop; but 1 am sorry to say l have to
record different story this time. A
detachment of our company went from
here to Larnard. and while there, on the
night of the Sd inst, four men left us,
stealing four horses, three from the
| company and one from the train. The
names of the men are Corp1. James
Harrington, Emporia, Kansas; Bugler
VIM. Meta and Privates Tirney and
/ Yawning of Louisville, Kansas. The
company are glad to get rid of them,
and we think Government also has done
we'll III their case.
must not omit to mention our STAN
| pede which took place as we were COM
/ ing from Supply to Dodge. We had
some four hundred wagons in the train
and about one third of them stampeded.
| There were some forty or fifty soldiers
riding in the wagons at the time, and
were thus thrown into very perilous
! position. Several of them were serious
ly hurt, and one man, John Vanwell, OF
our company, died of his wounds in
about two hours from the time he was
hurt. The country where the stampede
took place was perfectly level and there
was but little breakage, so we soon sue.
ceeded in getting the mules stopped, the
wagons to their places, and proceeded
OIL rur journey, resolving to be more
cautious in the future.
/ We see from letter Gen. Sheridan
has written to the Lawrence JOu1na
that he states that we subsisted eight
days on buffalo meat. We do not wish
to pit our veracity against that of the
General, but will say we are thorough
ly prepared to prove our first statement
We have been blessed for the las
three weeks with very fine weather
which has had beneficial effect on the
health of our men. The boys are al
enjoying good health, and since pay day
are in fine spirits.
We are opposed to personal eulogies
for personal objects, but believe in Civ.
ing all due credit where merit recon-
mends, and in this spirit we would
again speak of Lieut.. j. p. Hurst, who
thus far has proved himself man and
a soldier, and we fear not to trust him
further. Lutte is now well and in the
hight of his element-plenty of sport.
ing and no duty TO do.
Wishing THE News and all its sub
scribers much success, we remain
Yours truly,
Sergt. NJ. A. VIcToR,
NJ Troop, 18th x. V. c.