The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1897-10-21
COLD CHEER at Fl. KEARNY.
The Terrible Days Which Succeeded th.
Massacre.


The Terrible Days Which Succeeded the
Massacre.
EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: The rescue
OF the bodies of Fetterman's command and
the incidents of the day at Fort Phil Kearny
Immediately after the massacre, are worthy
OF story of themselves. With the next
morning came a meeting of officers, with
to ventnrea search for the dead. The safety
OF any small party seemed doubtful, and the
post itself might be imperiled by large
draft upon the garrison -
But the Colonel had made mp his mind,
and freely expressed his purpose, not to let
the Indians have the conviction that the
dead could not be brought in Capt. Ten
Eyck, Lieut.. Matson, and DR.. Onld went
with the party. Long after dark they left
The pickets which were distributed on the
line Of march indicated their progress, and
showed that neither the fort nor the detach-
ment could be threatened without such cog
nection Of signals as would advise both, and
secure cooperation.
Near midnight the wagons and command
returned with the bodies, slowly passing to
the hospital and other buildings made ready
for their reception. A careful roII-calI of
the garrison was bad, and the body of every
missing man identified
%Wheatfy and Fisher, the frontiersmen.
had been discovered near pile of rocks, sur
rounded by cartridge-shells, proving that
their Henry rifles had done good service.
All the bodies had lain along or near a
narrow divide, over which the road ran, and
to which, no doubt, the assailed party had
refreated when overwhelming numbers bore
down upon them.
Fettsrman and Brown had been found at
the point nearest the fort, each with . re-
volver-shot in the left temple, and so
scorched with powder as to leave no doubt
that they had shot each other when hope
had fed.
Capt. Browns repeated dashes, and especi-
ally his success On Sept %, had inspired
him with perfect recklessness in pursuit of
Indians. On the night before the massacre
he had declared that he must have one scalp
before leaving for Laramie, whittier he had
been ordered. He had inspired Fstterman,
who had been but q short time in the coun-
try, and already had great contempt for our
adyersaries, with the same mad determina-
tion to pursue the redskins whenever they
could, regardless of numbers. Together
they had planned the expedition of a weeks
time TO Tongue River Valley, with o mixed
party of 80 citizens and soldiers, to destroy
the Indian villages and clear ont all
enemies. Disapproval of the plan did not
change their belief in its feasibility and
wisdom; but now were 81 officers and men,
among them the veterans of a long war
utterly destroyed in their hands, only six or
seven miles on the route to the same Tongue
River Valley.
The dead were deposited in the spare
ward of the hospital, two hospital tents and
double cabin. Details from each company
assisted in their care and Identification.
Many gave their best uniforms to clothe
decently their comrades, and the good traits
OF the soldier were touchingly discussed as
mutilated fragments were carefully handled,
arrows drawn or cut out and the remains
composed for the burial. A long line of pine
cases, duly numbered, was arranged by COM
panies along the officers street, near the hos
pital, and as each was placed in its plain re-
ceptacle the number and name was taken
for the future reference of friends.
The detail to dig grave for this great
entombment was well armed and accom-
panied by guard, but so intense was the
cold that constant relays were required.
Over the great pit, fifty feet long and seven
feet-deep, mound was raised. Then the
ceremonies were performed. From the very
night of Dec. 2I the Winter became un-
mitigated in its severity, requiring guards
to be changed at least half-hourly, prevent
ing out-of-door inspection and driving Off
GERS, privates and women TO beaver buffalo
or wolf skins for protection from the cold.
The relief as they fastened to their regular
distribution, presented no bad idea of Lap
land or Siberian life. The tastes, workman
ship and capital of the wearers were vari-
ously illustrated in their personal ward
robes.
The holidays were sad as they were cold.
Lights were burned in ali quarters, and one
nOn-commissiOned officer was always on duty
in each building, so that in case of alarm
there could not be an instant's delay IN the
use of the whole command. Each company
knew its place and the distribution of the
lOophOlss. The gunners slept in tents near
their guns, and all things were ready for
attack. The constant and drifting snow
soon lifted itself above the west flank of
tho stockade, and when trench 10 feet
wide was cleared the next snow would fill
it.
The whole garrison shared the gloom
Chayades, tableaux. the usual muster even
ing's leyee at the Colonels, and all the holi-
day reunions were dropped as unreasonable
AMI almost unholy. 1t was truly depress-
ing period.
Inc massacre proved the wisdom of set
tied policy not to precipitate or undertake
q general war while there was but handful
of men at the post, and the army had not
yet received such increase as could promise
any considerable support. Kind Providence
spared many, and the line of road opened in
the Summer of 1856 was maintained, other
regiments having strengthened the garrison.
! want someone to write up the fight of
Aug. 2, 1867, between Co. C, 9th q. s., and
the Indians. The Indians attacked Reno,
Ksa1ny and Smith the same day, and were
whipped all around.-GEORGE WEBER, Co.
G, 27th U. S., Kelat, KY.
THE M0Ln MAN" WAS RIGHT.