The Kendrick gazette. [volume] (Kendrick, Idaho) 1892-1968, 1915-08-13
Mutilated, Scalped, Survived
By Glenn D. Bradley


mentioned in this article is an old
playmate of his and vouches for it's
authenticity
Fort Larned, which was one of the
chain of outposts strung through the
Arkansas valley during the frontier
days, stood on the right bank of
Pawnee fork, about eight miles
from it's confluence with the Arkan-
sas river. The site was first occu-
pied in September, 1859, and on Oc-
tober % following an improvised
fort was established by Major H. w.
Vessels and called Camp on the
Pawnee Fork. On February l, 1860,
the name was changed to Camp
Alert, and on June l, it was again
and permanently changed to Fort
Larned, in honor of Colonel B. F.
Larned, who then was paymaster-
general of the United States army.
The first buildings were con-
structed of adobe in 1860. The
main object of this post was to pro-
tect the Santa Fe trail, on which
historic highway it stood.
A terrible massacre occurred in
this vicinity during the summer of
1864. The plains Indians had been
restless all that season, but, as sup
plies were needed badly at Fort
Union, New Mexica, a caravan
loaded with the necessary relief was
sent over the trail from Fort Lea
venworth late in June. As danger
from the savages was feared the
wagons were given a company of
United States volunteers for protec-
tion.
For over two weeks no incident
worthy of mention took place. On
July Is, the wagon train and escort
drew near Fort Larned and, because
of the close presence of a military
post, the teamsters all became care
less. So, as the weather was very
hot, all went into camp about mid
afternoon, the troops stopping in
the rear about mile distant. The
time then was whiled away in idle
amusement and finally the men
gathered unconcernedly about the
mess wagon for supper. Of sud-
den, and when least expected, the
caravan was surrounded by large
band of Sioux under Chief Little
Turtle. There was no time for de-
fense, and within twenty minutes
every member of the outfit was
struck down, and. with but one ex-
ception, all were killed. Then the
savages plundered the caravan of
whatever goods they desired, de-
stroyed the remainder, burned the
wagons, stole the mules and van
ished. While the outrage was being
committed the volunteers remained
quietly in their camp watching the
proceedings, and only when the
bloody work was finished did their
commander order an advance to the
scene of the tragedy-a tragedy
which they might have prevented at
least in part. Subsequently this Of
ficer was court martialed and dis
missed without honor from the SER
vice, because of his cowardice.
Early on the day of the massacre
the commanding officer at Fort
Larned had heard of the Sioux be-
ing on the warpath in that vicinity,
; and he had at once sent out his
scouts and a few soldiers to ascer.
tain if possible the proximity and
strength of the invaders. These
men struck the Indians trail at
, noon and followed it directly to the
scene of the massacre. Dead mer
: lay everywhere. They all had beer
: scalped and their bodies were fear
fully mutilated. For yards arounC
: the smoking ruins the grass was
! stained with human blood.
: An ambulance was summoned
r from the fort and the poor victims
were tenderly removed, that the.
I might have decent burial. Will,
/. this was going on one of the mum
S ber, a young fellow named Rober
y McGee, showed signs of life, and h'
was at once taken to the post hos
pital. Under good surgical care h
soon revived, and in spite of his ter
!, rible injuries his health gradual.
i was restored. Only from his lips die
the details of the slaughter eve
e become known.
The Indians, however, had not in
e tended that McGee should be al
i "only survivor" and get off S
y easily. After staying all the others
:, they appear to have reserved tn
l. boy for special killing. First the
compelled him to witness the mur
It der of his companions, some o
s whom " ce first tortured. Then h
: was dragged before Little Turtle