with them how nicely the new carbines worked, a shell exploded in the breech and almost put my eyes out. Dr. Latham and the hospital steward worked on my face for several hours this afternoon, picking out the powder, and I am much better tonight, although suffering a great deal of pain. December 24, 1866. The Indians set fire to the prairie a few miles from here, and the danger of the hay and post buildings being burned required me to take all the men I could gather together and try to stop it. Captain Mix gave me his secret of acting, which I shall never forget, as it may prove valuable to me in the future. I carried it out with effect by setting fire to the grass near the post and starting it towards the fire that was working this way, and when the two fires met they went out, and thus the post was saved. Captain and Mrs. Beebe have invited me to a party at their house tomorrow night. Lieutenant Fitch, formerly of the Nineteenth, V. R. C., arrived by stage and is my guest. Christmas, December 25, 1866. After breakfast this morning Lieutenant Fitch and I, with twenty-five mounted men as an escort, went on an antelope hunt, and after selecting a large buck, I started after him at a full run, firing my revolver at every jump, and after a chase of a mile one of my shots broke his leg, when I rode up and killed him. It took two men to lift him on a horse, and as he was the first I ever killed, I felt rather proud, and was congratulated by all my friends at the post this afternoon. December 26, 1866. It was four o'clock this morning ere the party broke up. I never saw people enjoy themselves more than they did last night. We had music and dancing and supper at twelve o'clock. Mrs. Scott was the belle. Mrs. Captain Mix and Latham deserve a great deal of credit for the good supper and tasty display of everything. After two hours of mounted drill this afternoon, which I conducted in the absence of Captain Mix, with Lieutenant Fitch as spectator, he left on the stage for his post. Just after dinner this evening news came to us all here that Lieutenant-Colonel Fetterman, Twenty-seventh Infantry; Captain Brown and Lieutenant Gennmond of the Eighteenth Infantry, and Lieutenant Wandless, commanding Company C of the Second Cavalry, with ninety enlisted men, besides a number of citizens, had all been killed by the Indians at or near Fort Phil Kearney. Such news is sad, but we expect further details tomorrow. December 28, 1866. Captain Norwood and I were on a board of survey yesterday. The news of the massacre is confirmed, and troops have been sent after the Indians from Fort Laramie. Twenty-five four-mule wagons had gone several miles from the post after wood. While returning fifty or one hundred Indians charged at the train, and Colonel Fetterman, who was guarding it, started with ninety enlisted men and thirty-one citizens after the Indians, who ran into a deep ravine about a mile from the main road. They were immediately ambushed by several thousand Indians, who were hidden behind the bushes, rocks and hills. Not one man of the one hundred and twenty-one was left, all being killed and many bodies being mutilated. December 29, 1866. Captain Mix was placed in close arrest before guard-mount this morning by Colonel Neill, who also forbade my going near his quarters or speaking to him on company business. He also forbade me from speaking to Mrs. Mix on any pretext, or a guard would soon be placed over me. Of course I have to obey orders. EXTRACTS FROM DIARY, ETC. January 1, 1867. I came off duty as Officer of the Day this morning, seeing the old year out and the new one in. Captain Mix relieved me. Colonel Neill received orders to turn over all quartermaster's stores to Captain Norwood, who has been appointed Post Quartermaster. I can hardly realize that I am just starting another new year. In looking back on the contrast of my last year with my present surroundings and what I have been through during the past six months, settled and established hundreds of miles from civilization, surrounded by rattlesnakes, Indians, buffalo and other wild animals, it seems almost like a dream. a I am thankful to God for giving me health and strength to abstain from the many wicked vices surrounding young Army officer on the frontier, and hope and pray that I may be able to continue an upright course and not yield to the many temptations and snares to which so many give way in this country, but follow the advice and teaching of my dear mother, to whom I was devoted, and who died a true Christian. January 2, 1867. Private Sullivan was reported absent at reveille this morning. I started a searching party after him, and about eleven o'clock his hody was found on the ice in the middle of the river holding a hen in one hand and a rooster in the other. All three were frozen to death-Sullivan, rooster and hen. Mr. Sullivan had been in the habit of crossing the river during the night to get whiskey from a ranch opposite the post, and being fond of chickens, concluded he would have an extra dish that Uncle Sam does not furnish his boarders. The owner of the ranch had made complaint that his chickens were being stolen, but the thief was sly enough to keep from being caught. He must have taken more whiskey than usual, or stopping to meditate, fallen asleep and frozen to death. I ordered Sergeant Miller to send me a detail from the company to dig a grave, selected a place on the river bank, and Corporal Lyon with five men soon reported, wrapped a blanket around Private Sullivan and his chickens and buried them four and one-half feet deep. The owner of the ranch, who witnessed the ceremony, seemed greatly relieved, and now feels that his chickens will be safe in the future. January 3, 1867. An order came from department headquarters today placing Colonel Neill under arrest and Captain Mix in command of the post. January 4, 1867. I moved into my new quarters this morning. News came to the post today that two men have just been killed and scalped by the Indians near Fort Casper and the telegraph wires cut so that we cannot get particulars. January 5, 1867. The Indians are murdering ranchmen, emigrants and all people they meet. The settlers are frightfully alarmed as they see that we have not half enough soldiers to protect them. Returning to my quarters, I found an order from Capt. Mix appointing me Post Adjutant and the following letter from Gen. Hancock: |