The Lamar register., 1890-01-11

ter from Las Animas to the Denver
Republican,:
OLD FORT WISE.
Old Fort Lyon was at first called
Fort Wise, but in 1856 1t was changed
TO Fort Lyon in honor of that brave
and gallant Union general of the
same name, and changed from Fort
Wise because Governor Wise proved
a traitor TO his Government and ioiHed
the rebel forces.
The first regular military post in
Bent county was Bent's new fort.
named by the Government Fort Wise.
1t was garrisoned by four companies
of the First cavalry. Colonel Sedg-
wick commanding, in 1850. The
troops had come out on an Indian
campaign III 1850. Here he was
joined by two companies of the Tenth
infantry. A. B. Miller, since of Den
yer, was post trader. A. t. Winser
OF Lexington, Missouri, was next,
aud he was succeeded by Stewart &
Shrewsbury. Upon the opening OF
the war in 1861, the regular troops
ments of volunteers, usually Coloia-
do cavalry.
A notable war incident-perhaps
the most important that occurred on
Colorado soil-was the capture, in
1862, BY Captain Otis company, First
cavalry, of party of fifteen to twen-
ty Confederate volunteers under Cap
tain Mckee The capture was made
on Clay creek. Mckee bad organ
lied his recruits in Denver and was
heading for Texas. The same year
u band of peaceable Indians, known
as the Caddos, having ben compel
ed to leave Texas ON account of their
fidelity to the Union, the Govern
mept undertook to locate them on
the Arkansas. For this purpose q
site selected BY General Wright at
the mouth of the creek. stIll known
As Caddo, where three large stone
buildings were erected, designed as
quarters. A few of the Caddos came
up and inspected the place, but de-
cided not to accept it, and the prepa-
ratious for their accommodation were
accordingly discontinued. The place
was occupied by John w. Prowers,
in 1868, as a ranch, from which he
furnished supplies to the troops.
In 1868 the Indian agency was re-
moved from Big Timber (now Old
Fort BenU to Point of Rocks, near
the mouth of Csddoa creek, and now
called Fort Lyon. In 1864 Captain
| Wynkoop was in command of Old
Fort Lyon, and on November 25 of
the same year he was succeeded as
post commander by Captain Antho
ny. At this time Old Fort Lyon was
garrisoned by a company two of Col
4 orado volunteers and a section OF the
Ninth Wisconsin artillery.
The settlers were few and far be-
tween. Colonel Boon's, eighty miles
west of Fort Lyon. stage station at
Bent's old fort, r. NJ. Moore and
Bent at the mouth of the PurgatoIrc.
John w. Prowers at the mouth of
Caddoa. and Fort Lyon, comprised
the White settlement on the Arkansas.
On the 27th of November these
settlers witnessed Colonel Chiying.
ton, with a regiment of what were
known as "loo-day men," including
q compny of Mexicans, marching
down the Arkansas from the direc.
ton of Pueblo, arresting all persons
found on the way and placing guards
a. the ranches and stations. Reach
lug Fort Lyon on tie goth he at once
assumed command. That night, with
the additional troops available at the
fort, he started for the Indian village
on Sandy, thirty miles distant, taking
Robert Bent as guide. The battle ol
massacre of Sandy creek followed
and as it has 80 often and SO vel
been written up your correspondent
will enter into no details concerning
it.
The Indian loss was heavy, while