The Van Buren press., 1879-02-01
A REMINiSCENCE.
Taking the Chickasaws 10 their Reserya'
tions.
An Interesting Account Of Matters
and Incidents Along the Line
of March.
- - -
A#REMINISCENCE.
From the Little Rock Democrat.

the 9th OF October. 1888, our party WAS
composed of over 5000 Indians, and
about 100 wagons drawn by oxen, hor.
ses and mules Most of the Indians
were on horseback. Major John Mill
ard, of Washington city was in com
mand Capt. Phillips, OF the old gallant
Seventh, was disbursing officer, and |
was attached as eommissary Of subsist
ence The major belonged to an old
Catholic Maryland family; his sister was
the wife of Major Frank Armstrong,
and mother of the preseut general Of that
name and is now, if | mistake not. lady
superior in the convent Of the Sacred
Heart, near Georgetown, d. {. | never
knew man better calculated to control
Indians Major William Armstrong, al
ways oxcepted-than Major Millard.
We reached Memphis III due time, il |
remember it was the 10th Of October.
1t took many days to cross the Mississip
pi, during which time bad weather set
in, with rain nearly every day. By the
time we were ready to take up the line
of march from the west bank, the roads
through the swamp were in fearful con
dition, frequently near y every wagon of
the command was stalled at the same
time consequently the progress was
very slow. Captain Phillips returned
from White River; cold weather came
the prairies between White River and
Little Rock were covered with water,
which would freeze during the night,
and make It difficult Tor the horses and
oxen to break through. Opposite Lit
tie Rock, large quantities Of supplies
were stored, which we were anxious to
reach. During the march through the
swamps and the ice covered prairies, the
Indians became SO scattered that it was
impossible at times to issue them rations
Major Willard was determined, as soon
as we could reach Little Rock, to re-
main there until all stragglers were
brought to camp. Major Sim. Buckner
had the contract for transporting the
Chickasaws by water; +; but when they
reached Memphis, few of our party
were inclined to take that mode OF con
veyance, and it was after great persua-
sion we could induce any number te go
on board the steamers.
The sutierings they endured reaching
Little Rock induced us to believe that if
steamers were there waiting they would
willingly go on board, Capt. Collins,
also of the Seventh, was then stationed
there as disbursing officer of the Indian
Department, and supervisor Of emgra
ton, word was sent him to that effect.
The river was high soon Major Buck.
ner had two boats then ready to receive
all Chickasaws who were willing to go
on board few hundred, mostly women
and children took passage, the remain
der preterring the overland route. The
Chicllasaws were well to do, they had
good horses and plenty of money.
After the steamers had left for Fort
Coffee, the warriers commenced having
a high old time fats, skitts and dug outs
took them across the river they were
cash buyers, made the merchants happy, |
and patronized "dcan's bcst' largely !
they did not ask for whisky J." "lccdle bit
but whisky heap, aud were accommoda-
ted to their hearts content.
On the east bank, cnterprising per-
sons replenished their stocks Of wine
and whiskey the old malaga was ia
vorlte drink with the Chickasaws, and
for days it was hard to find a sober lndi-
an. In the meantime, Major Buckner,
wishing to show his appreciation for the
efforts OF the officers Of immigration to
get the Indians on board his boats, " he
gen treat" a dance and supper at the
City Hotel then kept by Capt. Jetlries;
il was a +" big thing nearly all the elite
of the City o Roses were there. The
supper tables were filed with delicacies
brought expressly from New Orleans.
The bright particular star of the occa-
sion was Major Buckner's lovely daugh-
ter, afterward the wife of tho lamented.
Lambert Reardon. To others than mer
chants, the Indians We're getting disa-
greeable. A drunken Indian is not IN
agreeable associate, particularly when he
thinks he can domincer over you. For
two or three afternoons they were fight
ing and yelling in the streets, frlghtcn-
ing women and children. Capt. Collins
thought it had gone far enough, and sent
word to Major Mllard that their cross
ing must be stopped, and the intruders
returned to camp. The major took seve
raj ofthe leading chiefs Overland as | was
beginning to talk very good Chickasaw
| was pressed into service on such occa-
ions. We found several Indians, with
out clothes running, whooping up and
down the streets, big Indian fashion.
Some had to be tied and carried on the
boats, and ii was dark before all was
quiet Major Millard had endcavored
to make q start for two or three days
previous, but whiskey had control, and
his efforts were vain. That night a
council of chiefs was called, and tho sit
uation discussed, Capt. Collins came
over to the council. 1t was determined
that all crossing of the river should be
stopped, everyboat except canal boat,
which had bar on board, and was re-
quired by the teamsters of the CON-
mand, was taken to the Little Rock side
and put in charge of our officer Notice
was given to those who sold whisky
near the camp that they must stop, or it
would be destroyed which they refused
to do consequently the chiefs were call
ed on to furnish body of warriors to
visit the saloon and destroy it. ! WAS
pressed into service to head the expedi-
ton, the chiefs fearing If no white man
was along trouble might ensue; and pre-
pared myself by dressing in Indian cos
tune, and having my face painted il the
most approved Chickasaw fashion.