Year: 1863

He shared. his cup and crust with those
who like himself were 'scaptives in strange
land" and, always forgetting himself he
ever remembered those who were his fel-
low prisoners, and exerted his best efforts
to secure their speedy release-thus deyel-
oping the sublime traits of the TRUE soldier
and the real hero.


ernment appointed him aBrigadier General,
dating his commission back to the 21st OF
July, 1S61---the time that he was captured.
He Immediately proceeded to recruit brig
ade, which being raised, he and his COM
mand were attached to the Middle Depart
ment where they have done good service.
Thrilling Adventure ON the Plains.


The following account of an adventure
in the recent great snow-storm on the Plains
is given in private letter from Captain
James H. Dodge, of Milwaukee: .


Fort LARNED, KANSAS, Dec. A.


On Saturday morning, Nov. 2Sth, we
started from Fort Lyon for Fort Larned,
expecting to make the trip (the distance be-
ing 240 niles in the usual time of four and
half days. Our party numbered six.


The first day we came about fOrty-five
miles; at night made our bed ON the bare
ground, and in the morning found six or
eight inches of snow covering us, and the
wind blowing fearfully, as it can only blow
across these plains. On Tuesday came an
other fall of snow, and Wednesday we trav-
eled only seven miles. During that whole
week we were only able to thaw out our
provisions not even making an effort to
cook anything, for on the whole route there
are no habitations. Until Saturday MORN
ing we were obliged, every little way, to
shovel the stage out of the snow banks, and
finally, when we were about tifty-two miles
from Larned, we gave up the idea of pro-
ceeding further in that way. H


Hearing that there was a small Indian
camp not far from where we were embank-
ed, | concluded to leave the stage and go on
to find it and get some dried buffalo meat,
for our supplies were exhausted, as we had
only laid in store for five day trip. The
Indian camp, however, proved to be farther
off than we thought, for 1 walked fifteen
miles, with the snow up to my knees nearly
all the way, before the huts came in sight.
When within mile, or thereabouts, of them,
one of the drivers overlook ME and reported
that the mules had given out entirely and
he had started to go to the fort for help
The camp being close by, told him to 60
on and get something to eat and l would be
along. | found him there with his hands
and feet badly frozen, so told him to stay
there and L would go to the fort myself
thirty-five miles. started at three o'clock
p. nj. The mule carried me until sundOwn
and would not go any further. l had with
me, fortunately, a buffalo robe; so taking the
saddle for my pillow, and tucking the robe
close about me, laid down to try and keep
awake till morning. l was then twenty
seven miles from the fort and the cold so
intense that one of the mules had frozen to
death the night before. When morning
broke was thankful to the kind Providence
which had kept me from all harm. had
nothing to eat, but saddled the mule, which
had not strayed more than six rods away,
and started again. The poor animal, how
ever, would not carry me more than three
miles, and laid down. Without hesitating
one instant stripped him, piled the saddle,
bride and robe together, and in less than
five minutes was wading through the snow
up to my knees. l knew, probably, would
have to be out another night, but there was
no such thing as turning back, for there
were left behind six human beings whose
lives depended upon my exertions. When
within ten miles of the fort had to cross a
stream and leave the Arkansas river, strik-
ing across rolling prairie. The snow was
here from one to three feet deep, and the
track entirely filed.


had been over the road but once except
in covered stage, and had no particular
idea of the direction. / only knew that the
fort was on creek with trees growing
along it, and the best hoped for was to
reach the trees that night. kept two OBJ
jects in view so as to make straight line.
l walked all day, and just as the sun was
two hours high or so saw the trees. Two
miles, or about that, beyond me saw a lone
tree, and that was the last object / had made
up my mind to reach, but when within hall
a mile or thereabouts of the tree / saw what
l thought was the fort, and took courage
i walked ON at the rate of a mile an hour
Before reached the tree knew for GER
tainty that it was the fort had seen, and
saw that sleigh had started for me. They
were coming on gallop; could see them;
one or two were standing up looking to-
ward me. They were whipping their horses,
and the snow was,fying in all directions; j
knew that / was saved and my strength
gave out L could go no further, and. sank
down in the snow. When they were almost
to me, / saw Lieutenant Crocker driving
and heard him say, Good Lordl it !:
Dodge p -'~s- o'9@e'
| DR.. Clark jumped out with bottle %
whisky in one hand and a pie in the other
was in no mood to refuse either. They
had been looking for the stage with {
glass and saw me as | came over the las


roll of the prairie, and orderedup team tt
| go out and help some one, they did no


know whom. ~ p ) ~. set-1i


In half an hour they had two six null
teams and one two mule team going afte


the stage, with refreshments for man AMI


beast. They came back in twenty-fou


hours and said that / saved their lives. Onl.
two were frozen, one very badly, and h


will probably have to lose his foot. On


was with us who had been in this countr,


for thirty-two years. and in all that tim


says he had never seen worse storm, an,


that he had made up his mind | could no


possibly live through it. Those who wen
out after the stage say they never saw
more rejoiced lot than they when they kne,


of my safety. .f a'.l ,i,,. e ss,s q, ~. (