Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1885-06-25
rHn oAnrN oRnnK r1aHT.
An Event. Which by It's Proximi-
ty Makes Vinita Somewhat
Noted Abroad-Oflcia Report
of the Defeated Commander.

An Event, Wnlon ny ttB fIO1lmi-
ty Makes Vinita Somewhat
Noted Abroad-Oflcia Report
of the Defeated Commander.
TorEKA. KANSAS, juno 20, 1895.
DEAR READERs:-This morning
l dropped into the rooms of the
Kansas State Historical society
presided over by Maj. M. 1.
Adams, and by chance picked up
a military History of Kansas
Regiments" The book was pub
lished by w. s. Burke, at Leaven-
worth, in 1870 and is chiefly o
compilation OF reports and data
obtained from federal officers and
records. Evidently someone in
terested in Cherokee affairs had
been thore before me. The book
opened and a leaf was turned at
the account Of the removal Of John
and Lewis Ross and their families,
together with the Archives and
treasure" Of the nation 10 Fort
Leavenworth. This brought to
my remembrance the Cabin creek
fight where a portion Of the same
regiment, the second Kansas, act
ing as escort for a supply train was
routed. The scene Of this battle,
as is well known, was on what is
now Fred Chouteau's place, ten or
twelve miles south Of Vinita and
occurred September 20, 1854. Al
though but a score Of years have
passed, most of the details have
probably escaped the memories Of
our people as were present. In
number Of casualties the encounter
was Of little consequence, but the
commissary stores which fell into
possession of the eonfederates un-
der Gen. Gano, come at a time
when they were badly needed and
when their loss was Q serious one
TO the federals.
In his report the commander
statos that on the 10Th Of that
month he left Fort Scott for Fort
Gibson with o loaded train of
three hundred wagons, ninety Of
which however belonged to suit
tiers, etc. Subsistence at Gibson
had run very low and although q
hazardous undertaking with the
escort available-but six hundred
and ten, white and Indian, includ-
ing all reinforcements-the expe-
dition seemed a necessity. When
Baxter Springs was reached word
came that Gen. Price had crossed
the Arkansas at Dardanelle and
was moving north. All assistance
available was summoned. At mid
night on the 18th, while encamped
on Horse creek dispatch was re-
ceived from Gibson ordering the
train to be moved fifteen miles
forward, to Cabin creek, with all
haste. The enemy's strength
was announced at twelve or fifteen
hundred but was really considera-
bly, greater. BY nine o'clock the
train reached the place mentioned,
and shortly after was formed in a
quarter circle for the purpose of
resisting attack. Not until mid
nigt of the 18th was the anticipated
attack begun, the enemy in the
mean time having been camped
some three miles south. The
lines were formed and the wagons
ordered to be packed in close order
TO the rear Of the stockade. Only
a fire from small arms had been
expected and when the confederate
forces opened with artillery as
well, the results could painly be
foreseen. Major Foreman was ex-
pected with six companies and two
howitzers, but subsequent informa-
tion showed that his command was
not within forty-five miles of the
scene Of the engagement, At the
first charge Of the enemy the team
sters and wagon-masters, with but
very few exceptions. stampeded,
taking one or more mules from
each wagon. This destroyed all
hope of saving any portion Of the
train. After maintaining their
position for six and a half hours
the troops, or such as could be
collected, were moved east to
Grand river. All efforts 10 rally
the teamsters were fruitless and it
is said that but one ambulance and
a very few wagons escaped. AS
soon as all hopes Of reinforcements
sufficient to retake any portion of
the train were abandoned, the
march for Fort Gibson was rosum-
ed and that point was reached next
morning at seven O'Clock. The
opinion is expressed that Gano did
not get away with mere than one
hundred wagons, and that the bal
ance were destroyed.