The National tribune., 1899-10-26
SYNOPSIS.

In the Fall of 1851 tho author, then q
mere youth, ran away from home, joining
a party of recruits on their way TO torl
Smelling, Mimi. His company was one
Of the three organized at Fort Smelling that
later became part of the 5th Iowa Cav,
composed of companies from Missouri,
Minnesota, Iowa, and Nebraska. A1ter
three years brilliant service in the South,
the Minnesota companies We're detacneu
and reorganized as Bracketts md !
of Mai Alfred B. Bracket, and later took
part in the expedition against the Sioux.
In previous chapters Comrade Seeger gives
al account OF the pursuit and fights With
the Indians.
Dec. I've arrived at Fort Ridgley a
few days ago, marching across country by
way of Cherokee, Peterson, Spirit Lake,
and are now in comfortable wooden bar
racks. We have good stables for our
horses. Coming across from Sioux City,
Iowa. we had hard march. 1t was cold
weather. the ground was frozen, and we
had some snow; no grass, as most all the
prairie had been burnt over. The ther-
momcter dropped to zero and below several
days and some of the men We're frostbitten
Sleeping on the frozen ground IN shelter
tents with insufficient clothing and bed
ding was hard campaigning indeed.
We We're on this expedition after hostile
Indians seven months, lacking a few days,
and marched constantly, with the excep-
ton of % days. An instrument buckled to
the wheel of our ambulance, called a roado-
meter, registered totalof 1854 miles. This
does not include the several hundred miles
marched in scouting, hunting and exploring
trips made without the instrument. We
fought two important battles, and had
innumerable skirmishes. We punished
the Indians severely, and at lastdrove them
beyond our jurisdiction into Canadian
territory, but were not able to subdue them
or compel them to surrender and become
peaceable once more, which was the main
object of this expedition.
We lost number of good men by death
and accident, and more were disabled by
wounds and hard service. The total cost to
our Government was enormous. We all
feel that we are Justly entitled to credit and
recognition for our service and fairly earned
our prospective easy time and rest in Win
ter quarters.
IN WINTER QUARTERS.
On the march, near Sleepy Eye Lake, |
found the milk-white pony that ran away
from me in the Spring at a camp near Bon
Homme on the Missouri River. Some
citizens had found him in the Summer,
wandering around on the prairie tangled
up in the saddle and nearly starved. They
had taken good care of him. claimed him,
and the citizens surrendered him without
trouble.
l am ordered on extra duty to take charge
of the post harness shop for the purpose OF
repairing all harness, saddles, brides,
halters, ETC., during the Winter. By the
courtesy and kindness of Lieut.-Col. Phi
lander, of the I'd MINI. Cav, the Command
ant, Bugler NJ n. Clark, Serg't-Maj Mar
shall and myself have secured the use of
room in the second story of one of the Off
GERS, quarters building, where we are quite
cosy and comfortable, and expect to have an
easy time this Winter. This ends the
narrative of our campaign of 1864.
EXPEDITION AND CAMPAIGN OF 1865.
April Fort Ridgely, MINI. We have
had long rest and comparatively easy
time in Winter quarters. Discipline has
not been very strict. Our horses. have had
plenty of oats, hay and good care, and are
fat and sleek, thoroughly rested, and ready
for service again. The families of many of
our officers and men have spent the Winter
with us. We have had many dancing,
card and social parties during the Winter,