The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 75, July 1971 - April, 1972 Page: 232
566 p. : ill. (some col.), maps, ports. ; 23 cm.View a full description of this periodical.
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Southwestern Historical Quarterly
tance traveled fourteen miles. We have to make short marches on account
of mules and horses being weak.
December 17th: Travel northeast over a very rough country composed of
red hills. Crossed Hackberry Creek and on north into the sand hills and
make a dry camp on the prairie. A very cold night and no wood. Distance
traveled twenty-two miles.
December x8th: This morning we strike the old trail made by Sheridan
and Custer in 1868 and which we followed to Wolf Creek sixteen miles dis-
tant and encamp. After supper I rode into Camp Supply, distance thirteen
miles, bearing a letter to post commander who kindly told me he would
give me transportation to Fort Dodge, ninety-five miles distant and the
nearest railroad point.
December igth: Lay at Camp Supply as the semiweekly mail coach won't
leave here until tomorrow.
December 2oth: Presented myself at headquarters this morning, but found
the mail wagon over-loaded and was advised to wait until next trip, but
I was in no waiting humor and I persuaded the quartermaster to give me
a horse and I strike north. A very cold wind blowing but I pointed toward
home now and the elements are nothing to me. I ride to Sand Creek, ten
miles, found a government train encamped here and the boys induced me
to remain with them until morning.
December 21st: Leave this camp at 9 A.M. and ride to the Cimarron, twen-
ty-eight miles distant where I found a train in charge of Charles Bassett,
also a number of acquaintances; where I stopped, fed my horse and rested
a few hours and then move on to Red Hole Ranch where I stop for the
night, it being very cold.
December 22nd: Start at sunrise, fell in with a couple of hunters and trav-
eled with them. Passed the Bear Creek Ranch kept by Alfred Griffin, but
owing to the unsavory reputation of his whiskey, we did not stop. Nooned
at the redoubt on the head of Bear Creek, then came to Bluff Creek Ranch
kept by my friend, George Oakes, who has a good comfortable place and
good liquor.
December 23rd: Leave here at 2 A.M. and arrive at Dodge at 7 A.M., dis-
tance twenty-five miles. At three o'clock took the train for Newton. Arrive
at Newton at 3 A.M. the following morning.
December 24th: Sleep until io P.M. took train for Wichita at which place
I remain over night.
December 25th: I am now only twenty-five miles from home so I lose no
time in hiring a conveyance and at noon I have the extreme pleasure of
presenting myself to my better half as a Christmas gift and she was well
pleased with the offering, as five months of service [which] is in the nature
of it liable to make a widow at any time, seems a long time to the one
waiting.232
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Texas State Historical Association. The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 75, July 1971 - April, 1972, periodical, 1972; Austin, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth101201/m1/244/: accessed March 28, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Texas State Historical Association.