CHAPTER III. FORT HAYS ITS GARRISON THE COMMANDING GENERAL- -THE INDIANS. EAVING the train, and stepping upon the platform extending along the track, I had the good fortune to meet Lieutenant Kelley, of the "Thirty-eighth." In his company I rode over to the Fort, about a mile distant. Fort Hays, the headquarters of the department in the field, was built on a high ridge rising from Big Creek, a stream twenty feet in width, and tributary to the Smokev Hill. In point of location and design, for those consigned to the isolation of life on the plains, I conceive this to be a most desirable place. The quarters consisted of a row of eight double frame houses, one and three-fourths stories high, neatly furnished and painted both within and without, and had a decided appearance of comfort. These quarters fronted on one face of the parade, while the other three sides were enclosed by the frame barracks for the troops. The hospital, quartermaster's and commissary's buildings, and the corral, occupied positions apart from the fort proper. On the left were sheds with accommodations for the horses of a cavalry squadron. The country, however, in the vicinity of the fort was perfectly uninviting, and an excellent sample of the worst features of the plains high swelling divides, covered with buffalo grass in bunches, and not a tree in sight, excepting a few scattered specimens on the banks of Big Creek. I was kindly tendered comfortable quarters, and at the same time having made some arrangements in regard to rations, I soon felt perfectly at home. I have frequently since thanked my good fortune in meeting Lieutenant Kelley. It was to his unexpected and preliminary courtesy that I owed much of the pleasure I experienced, in more than a month's residence at the Fort. At the time of my arrival, General Sheridan, the Commanding General of the Department, was absent, but was momentarily expected from Fort Harker, where I passed his special car the night before. The remainder of my first day I quite agreeably occupied in making the acquaintance of the little community of officers and their families. The post was commanded by Major Yard, 10th cavalry. The other post-officers were Brevet Major Kimball, Quartermaster; Dr. Buchanan, Surgeon, and Lieutenant Reed, 5th infantry, Adjutant. The garrison consisted of Ovenshine's company, 3rd infantry, Clous' company, 38th infantry, and Brotherton's company, 5th infantry, Lieutenant Borden, commanding. The Commanding General, as his military family in the field, was at this time accompanied by Brevet Brigadier General Forsyth, (Tony), Major 10th Cavalry, Inspector General; Brevet Lieutenant Colonel McGonnigle, Captain and Quartermaster; Brevet Lieutenant Colonel Crosby, 1st artillery, Acting Assistant Adjutant General, Brevet Lieutenant Colonels Moore, Captain 40th infantry, and Sheridan, Captain, 7th cavalry, Aidsde-Camp, and Dr. Asch, Staff Surgeon. After the the outbreak of hostilities the only amusements away from the post, that of a gallop over the plains, or an occasional buffalo hunt, were cut off, owing to the possibility of encountering a band of warriors, or more likely being cut off by them. The society of the post was enlivened by the presence of three estimable ladies, wives of officers, Mrs. Major Kimball, Mrs. Dr. Buchanan, and Mrs. Captain Ovenshine. During the same evening I enjoyed the honor of an introduction to the Commanding General, who had now returned. Although, during the fall of 1864, I visited the Shenandoah Valley, while he was in command of that region, I was prevent ed, by illness, from overtaking him, in time to witness his bril liant victories, and becoming personally acquainted with him. The conversation, of course, was on the subject of the war. Indian fighting was evidently not a new thing to the General, and his plans were so arranged as to accomplish the greatest results with the least means. His military department embraced the states of Missouri and Kansas, Colorado, New Mexico, and the Indian Territory, an extent of country equal, in area, to nearly a half dozen ordinary states. The Pacific Railway, it is true, was convenient, as communicating with the base of operations, and enabled him to establish large depots of supplies at the forts on the line. This was the least portion of the labor. Stores had to be shipped to the posts away from the railroad, and that too, within a limited time, before the setting in of the wintry storms. Government wagon trains, as well as “citizen” trains, were constantly passing between the railroad and Forts Dodge, Wallace, and Lyon. Large contracts were also given out for the supply of Fort Bascom, from New Mexico, and Fort Arbuckle, from Kansas, and the Cherokee county. This was literally going back to warfare according to first principles. The General, certainly, had now a fair opportunity of making up his mind as to the utility, convenience, and economy of railways, as compared with wagon trains, in conducting warlike operations. The theatre of war was so extensive, that there were about the same chances of scouting parties finding the Indians, as for a fleet of vessels at sea to encounter an enemy's squadrons. The General had thoroughly made up his mind that it was a profitless task to undertake to punish hostile bands when the grass was in a condition to afford nourishment for their ponies. At such a time he felt that they would be able to protract the war indefinitely. He resolved to make the experiment of a winter campaign. It was very certain, when the grass lacked its nutritious properties, the Indian pony would soon weaken and break down. During the winter season he well knew the savages suspended all warlike expeditions, in a word were paralyzed. Their families could not move with the same facility as in summer, and in certain conditions of the weather it was impossible to move their lodges at all. A bold dash into the heart of the Indian country, though at the risk of much suffering to the men and loss of animals, was certain to effect some beneficial results. If it demonstrated to the savages no more than the fact that they were safe at no season of the year, that the "soldiers" could travel on the war-path when they themselves could not fight nor run away with their families, the effect would unquestionably make a deep impression on their minds.. It was still several months before winter could be considered as having fairly set in, and to start before that time would be a waste of energy and material with little chance of return. It was necessary, however, to keep advised, as far as possible, of the movements of the savage war parties, as indicated by their trails, which could be easily tracked on the plain by experienced Indian fighters. The General was particularly anxious to watch the savages north of the railroad along the Republican and its tributaries, and, by constant demonstrations, hoped so to alarm them as to cause their movement towards the south. He would then have all the refractory bands well in hand for an excellent chase and sure punishment. At the same time the line of railroad defended, even by a small force, would be entirely safe for the passage of trains. For these reasons the majority of the preliminary movements of the campaign were directed towards the north. It will be interesting here to furnish some statistics respecting the Indians who were hostile or contributed to the war. While the war was going on at the south, the Sioux sent parties, not only down as far as the Platte to commit depredations along. the Union Pacific railroad, but a large force of warriors extended their hostile movements to the Republican, joining the northern bands of Cheyennes and Arrapahoes. With due allowance, the number of Sioux actually participating, may be set down at one thousand. This gives the following estimated results: Out of this aggregate of all ages and sexes, the five bands, together with the Sioux, could muster about two thousand warriors. Within the limits of the department was an aggregate Indian population, embracing friendly Indians on reservations and the wild tribes above mentioned, amounting to over ninety thousand souls. 1,086 860 281 8,777 |