From the lips of none of them fell the least audible indication of their sufferings, yet their distorted features, and the delirious glare of the eye, betrayed the physical anguish prevailing within their rigid exterior. During such painful operations as probing and cleansing the wounds the little sufferers placed their hands over their heads and closed their eyes, submitting without a murmur, One little girl, with a bullet-hole through her body on the left side, sat up as if in perfect health. The vigorous condition of their systems assisting nature, as well as human skill, in their efforts, soon found the sufferers able to join their friends in the camp, greatly to the delight of all.

During the fourth of December the troops of the seventh, and a portion of the garrison, were ordered under arms, to perform the last tribute of respect to the gallant young officer, Hamilton, who had fallen at the head of his squadron in the late battle. A neat coffin had been made of pine boards, in which the remains, attired in the full uniform of a captain, were placed. The troops formed in the vicinity of the tent in which the body had lain since its arrival at the camp. At two o'clock in the afternoon the roll of muffled drums, the solemn refrain of the band, and the slow step of the pall-bearers, announced that the remains were approaching. The coffin, enveloped in the national colors, was placed in an ambulance. The long line of mourning comrades, in reverse order, broke into column. The squadron of the deceased officer took the advance. Next came the remains, followed by the riderless horse, covered with a mourning sheet and spurs reversed. Then the long column of troops and officers, all moving in measured tread towards the grave.

The site selected for the resting place of Hamilton was beautifully situated on the banks of the Beaver, beneath the overspreading branches of a few cotton-woods. Here the troops massed, and the body was lowered into the cold and solitary grave. The burial service was read by a brother officer, and amid volleys of musketry the earth closed upon its dead.

The remaining companies of the volunteers by this time

had reached camp, and were enjoying an abundance compared with their march. Although the command had left Topeka on the fifth of November incessant storms and an impassible country had so impeded their progress that their supply of rations were exhausted before they had made more than half of their march. The safe arrival of the regiment was a source of relief to the Commanding General; and allowing a few days rest for the entire command it was proposed to set out again on the "war-path."

The troops participating in the campaign were now concentrated in the vicinity of the Supply Camp. The wagon train had returned with additional supplies, and the fort was suffi ciently completed. The Commanding General was quick in his resolution as to the next move. He had now an abundance of forage and rations for thirty days, and a sufficient number of extra wagons for transportation. The horses and mules, though numbers had died from exposure and scarcity of subsistence, were in fair condition, and a majority at least were equal to much more hard service. The men were in excellent health. Cases of scurvy, the most dreaded disease during such a campaign, were comparatively rare, and more remarkable than all, colds and inflammations, requiring hospital treatment, were almost without a victim. Under these circumstances everything was favorable to another successful invasion of the regions occupied by the hostile bands.

The seventh of December was the day fixed for the departure of the new expeditionary force. This movement, it was also announced, the Commanding General would attend in person, The objective point was Fort Cobb, to be reached by a circuitous route, in the hopes of striking other Indian villages along the head waters of the Washita.

To interrupt the preparations for the departure of the expedition another violent snow-storm set in, attended by a terrific wind from the north. All the indications were opposed to our getting off by the time appointed. The snow, however, after falling for a single night, disappeared, leaving the ground cov

ered to the depth of eight inches. The wind kept up, drifting it into immense banks, blocking valleys and almost the camp. The air was cold and biting, but the sky was clear.

Late in the afternoon of the sixth the General designated the infantry battalion, composed of companies B, E, F, of the 3d, K of the 5th, and G of the 38th, as the garrison to remain at the new fort. Lebo's company, of the 10th cavalry, was also attached for scouting or escort duty. Two companies of volunteers were detached to act as escort to the trains moving between the camp and Fort Dodge. Page of the third was assigned to the command of the post.

Before the bugle had sounded "tattoo" the same night the troops were under marching orders. Everything was ready for an early start the following morning.

CHAPTER XX.

A FRESH START-THE 66 OUT FIT"-INDIAN PHILOSOPHY-THE GYPSUM COUNTRY-CAMP ON THE CANADIAN-THE WASHITA-CALIFORNIA JOE.

T an early hour on the morning of the seventh of December, the entire command was occupied striking tents and packing the camp equipage in the wagons. The day was clear, but intolerably cold and wintry. To break camp, with its few comforts, and set out on an extensive expedition in such weather was not a subject of agreeable contemplation. But wind and weather were entirely ignored in the catalogue of valid reasons for delay. Accordingly at the appointed hour, ten o'clock in the morning, the long dark lines of troopers and wagons were to be seen stretched across the snow covered plain awaiting the order to advance.

The expedition consisted of the eleven companies of the seventh cavalry, ten companies of the volunteers, Pepoon's scouts, and fifteen Osage and Kaw Indians, making a total of about seventeen hundred men. The supplies for men and animals for thirty days, together with shelter tents, cooking utensils and baggage, were conveyed in three hundred wagons. Three of the Cheyenne squaws were also taken with the expedition, to be used in giving information respecting the country.

When all was ready, Sheridan mounted his horse and attended by his staff, rode to the head of the column, and in person gave the order, "Forward." The scouts and Indians took the lead, and were followed by the seventh in front, the wagon train in the centre, and the volunteers as a rear guard. From the crest of the last range of hills, many an eye turned