The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1901-08-22

souri,, planned a Winter campaign agains
the refractory and troublesome Indians o
the plains The State of Kansas raise
the 18th Kan. Volunteer Cav, which wa
accepted by the Government. With it, tn
Tth L. S. Cav. and a few companies o
infantry, was formed the command whicl
started from Fort Hayes and Fort Dodge
Kan in September of that year. A mum
Der of scouts from friendly Indian tribe
accompanied us. A large wagon trail
carried supplies and equipage. Marching
to the wildS of the Southwest, the ap
pearance of the command was quite i'm
posing and was somewhat magniied by
the wind, which constantly kept clouC
of dust above the column.
Whoever has route-marched witt
cavalry knows of the diversions thai
troopers find to while away the time
when stories, songs, jokes and conundrums
are all in order.
On the first day out from Fort Dodge
while riding up along the column, at q
slightly more rapid gait than it marched,
my attention was directed, while within
hearing distance, to the musical voice
softened by the wind-of a trooper, whose
song and refrain, was a paraphraSe of
"0ut of the Wilderness" as follows:
''If you want to smell hell, then join the
CdhdlIN, JUN INT C'lh airy,
Oh, if you want to smell hell, Just join the
cavalry, join the cavalry, for we are
not going home"
Gen. Alfred Sully was in command of
the expedition. The hostile Ind,t Is
gyrated about us on their ponies at 4 safe
distance on either side of the moving
column. For days they kept up a
skirmish, galloping in circles toward us,
hanging on the safe side of their ponies
and firing under their necks. We con-
tinued our march. paying but little atten-
ton To them. but once in a while a few
would feel emboldeBed and circle near
enough to draw some of the troopers fire,
and get knocked out of the saddle or have
a PONY killed, in which case the mounted
Indian nearest TO the unfortunate rode
rapidly to the dismounted Indian who in
stantly sprang up behind his succor, when
both would urge and belabor the pony.
We finally reached a spot which was
selected for the post of Camp Supply,
which was afterwaid Fort Supply. Here
the Indians made stand among the sand
hills Oh south side of the stream, but be-
came discouraged and withdrew as even
ing approached. At this point Gen. Custer
arrived and succeeded to the command.
II he 9TH Cav IN light marching order
was soon thereafter started southwark in
quest of Indians. A fall of snow one
night and a warm sun the following day
aided the alert scouts in tie trailing of
number of mounted hostiles returning to
their tribes and families in their intended
Winter home on the Washita River
These scouts which accompanied the COM
mand belonged to the Usage and Delaware
tribes, and were partly civilized, yet with
enough native instinct to enjoy the war
path and scalp lifting privilege, abundant
food, and authority to seize all hostiles'
property. At night their tents were
separated little from the main camp, and
the monotonous sound of beating the tom
tom was heard at all hours.
The day on which the hostiles' trail was
struck halt was made about noon. An
officer with a detachment was designated
to remain with the wagons, and we soon
moved on, leaving, by orders, all sabers
and all dogs behind. The trail in the
snow was about a hours old and easy to
follow.
A rapid march was kept up until ai5IT-
5:30 p. M, when we halted in the timber
ed valley of the Wasbita to take coffee
and food and to feed the horses. Here,
Gen. Custer announced that the troop
which should report first as ready to move
would be accorded the right of the line
the head of the column This was an in
certiye for ali to be expeditions during the
halt for refreshments and it was not very
~
3hile eating with his brother Thomas and
AdJutant Cook, when the officer command
ing Troop L reported 1t ready 10 move
Soon the march was resumed
a little before dark silence was enJoioezd
and there was no talking ADORE Z whisper
Seen from an elevation as night sp-
preached, what q weird. serpeutiae sDecter
was this body, outlined upon the white
Enow- As II wound around the tOrtuous
valley 1t had the sembIance Of q huge rep
Tie, steathIly creeping TO destroy It's Tic-iIn
Or foe. The silence was oppressive. ETen
The horses by their rapid gait showed that
they, too, nervously partOok Of the quiet
excitement and were imbued with the
pOrtent Of some anticipated event II was
an experience long to be remembered.
Colder atmosphere Of the evening made
the snow trmer. The moon was not quite
visible, as the whole sky was overcast
with feecy clouds.
About II O'Clock the columns gait was
slzckened, and moved very slowly, and
finally halted with Its head at the base of
q hill. The Adjutant rode down the line
and gave the order silently to Troop com
nanders TO dismouRt and for all officers to
walk forward quietly to the crest of the
aili and join the General, whom we found
lying upon the crust-covered snow near
the ridge.
The Indian scouts-always a few miles
IN advance-had kept the General advised
Of every sign of proximity to the hostiles
camp, and we had already passed two
moldering fires made by Indian boys while
aerding ponies, during the previous day
After we assembled where the Gen
eTal lay PROSTATE, peering over the top OF
the hill with a field or marine glass, h,
called our attention to an occasional faiDi
tnkling sound like that of a bell upon som.
animal, also TO the sound of a barkina
dog. II was finally discovered that We
were close TO the upper end of the CAM
Of Black Kettles band. The other band
were successfully camped down along the
valley and stream, in the woods, although
we could then see but little more than the
general contour of the valley. 1t is re-
menIbered that while waiting here, Lieut..
leo. Law, while conversing upon the pos
slbillties of the next few hours, reached
out his hand to the writer and said: well,
let us shake hands, and it viii be good-by
II we don't meet again." This was de-
clined, rs being too much preparation for
IN undesired end
Gen. Custer indicated to us his plan of
attack, which was by squadron from
either side OF the camp, stream and val
ley, while we shiyeringly awaited the early
morning hours. Crouching there upon the
snow in the dim light with that group of
fellow-oiiicers this thought came TO me:
How many of us will be together tomor-
row evening. Probably some Of us will
be no more. Is it the last time we are all
to meetE Finally, evidences of approach
ing day became visible and each squadron
moved slowly and quietly to its appointed
place OF attack.
AT last with earliest light or morning