The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1910-12-18


August. 1872. being then ut Old Fort
Kearney, we tPawuee Pete, our half
breed Charley, and myself received
word from Major Notebook, who was
then at North Platte, Neb., to report to
him as soon as We could outfit our
selves for 8 six weeks trip. We went to
work with a will. The first thing was our
horses. After getting them up las
they were out on the grass) we made
our selection and went to putting
them In shape for the saddle and all
that day we were very busy. The
next morning found ns ready for the
trail. We were we'll mounted, we'll
armed, and we felt as free as the
Red man himself and At that time
he was lord Of the plains
From Old Fort Kearney TO North
Platte IL ninety miles, We gave our
horses plenty of time as they we're
somewhat soft We arrived at the
Rail Road Bridge on the North
Platte river just east Of town and
went into camp on the fourth day
from Kearney. After putting our
camp IN good shape two Of US went
TO the hotel in town and found Ma
for Hofbrook there. He was glad to
see us and gave US a regular western
reception and when We went back
to camp he gave us q quart bottle
full of western reception TO take with
rs and said he would have all ar
rangements made by noon the next
day. Some time after noon the next
: day We went to the hotel to see the
major. but he was down at Fort
-Ncfnerson and had not came back
yet We went back to camp and In
about thirty minutes Major Holbrook
came into camp with his outfit from
the fort.
- The outfit Consisted Of the follow
ing: Cue army wagon, drawn by six
si,,a, zoe ambulance drawn by two
soc& rl,i.es. and one light wagon load
ed With -nAd!ca! stores drawn by two
glcles. and six:eAn neSrc soldiers
rhaS aai 7e-y iateiy ccr1-s into hna.
post rom Fort Hayes. They we're
not dsef 10 that country and they
.w4cs rot get worried into mat soi-
1iery .eportner. that Icct,lS give one
confidence In them on such a Trip IS
they were about 10 make However.
IVA would expect aomsts:Gg ~ them
and We world have to make the BEST
~ =. There wodid be tTenCy-three
all tod and ~ we 'vs-e not going
or any hostile srrand sxalns: the IN
dams we felt quite safe
Sioux Ch,s' little Kettle.
Our mission ibis tine IVES to try
20 bring renegade chief named Little
Kettle. to some terms Of peace This
chief had gone north Of the Black
Fills on the Cheyenne rfyer and
taken possession of q ,srko tract of
very rough country and was giving
che government q good deal OF trou-
ycls as he had started something like
the hot place spoken Of in the Bible.
Before we got through with him we
found him capable Of making all the
bell we we're able to stand.
As our outfit was in COOL shape
hpd all ready for a. start the major
STAYED all nigh: at the hotel and we
made ready to start In the morning
This was our first night ia camp and
we enjoyed ourselves very much, but
our colored soldiers asked good
nanJ questions and 1t was evident
they wero NOT anxious to come to
close quarters With the Sioux. How
ever, we were not there to borrow
trouble, but IL It shoald come to a
show-down We could make good
deal for somebody else should they
choose to fetch trouble on.
When morning came and the ma
lor came down we started up the
North Platte river. keeping by the
old trail that we made on our last
. trip In that country and those of US
. who knew the country we're glad to
get back again. The first night out
. VIC went into camp at the same place
/, ss on our first trip and as the major
had made one of our colored soldiers
. cook for the expedition, Pawnee Pete,
the half-breed Indian. and myself,
we're to furnish all the fresh meat the
! cutfit could use. Judging by the way
iihey ate the first night. that would
. Keep us very busy.
Game In Plenty
When we broke camp We went on
. w the North Platte river. There
ives so much game we had TO quit
: shooting long before noon. Our col
pred soldiers walked and dressed the
: game Our hslf+breed showed the
negro cook how to build an oven aaf
/ when morning came we hal the most
, eavory fowl ever set before man. tut
IN that country We had the best anne
, Ute and that made the best cooking
: There was such 81 vast assortment 10
: select from you could have a change
Of diet every day.
: Our travel each day gave us great
: enjoyment. There was so much &c
!, see. In looking of to the right yor
2 would see buffalo, then look to tn
: left you would see antelope, thel
! again you would see deer. elk anc
F. that great scavenger Of the plains. the
2 wolf. ever ready to get the weaker
. Of the flock or attack man whe,
. prompted by hunger. SO you see witt
: the prospects Of Indians at any time
= We had enough to keep our minds con
{ tinuslly employed
On this night we went into cam,
n somewhat earlier than usual Til,
: major was always looking out TO
. the comfort Of his men and horse
!, and was always willing TO share tn.
: hardships with them himself. Gu
: nights were always the same in camp
+: eating and telling western yarns. tn,
2 men were always happy and friendly
In the morning the major, after look
! ing UP HIS maps, concluded to chang
n his course and strike north TO I'll,
hea way~vn ~ yc1Iorr Uo$ar ,,r1