October Saturday 2, 1869.
this morn we moved earlier than usual and came for Republican my scouts in advance Caught an old squaw that strayed from the villiage she was nearly starved we fed her and will take her to the fort. arrived at Republican at 2 p.m.
The woman was questioned through the interpreter, John Y. Nelson, and through a Ponca Indian serving with the Pawnee Scouts. The Ponca talked to her in Sioux and translated her statements into Pawnee, which Frank North translated into English. She said that the band was led by Pawnee Killer, Whistler, and a head soldier named Little Bull. She had lost her way in the flight and was trying to walk to Spotted Tail's camp to the northward. She insisted that she was merely an old woman and that the warriors had not told her of their plans. Questioned later at Ft. McPherson, she stated that she was Pawnee Killer's mother and that Whistler was responsible for the hostility of the band.
Tuesday 5.
today we moved two miles and camped out on the open prairie on a small Creek emptying into the Republican. Kis (Kislingburg) went to White man today after mail and he can't bring it to quick if he runs.
Whiteman's Fork is now called Frenchman River and flows into the north side of the Republican River through Chase, Hayes, and Hitchcock counties, Nebraska
Wednesday 6.
today we lay over again. I wrote home today. we are to follow trail, north. saw 3 Indians yesterday did not see any trail.
October, Thursday 7. 1869
we drew 20 days more rations and are to go west and then down Beaver to Medicine
Friday 8.
today marched 12 & 1/2 miles, passed our old camp on porcupine and came up six miles, and camped on a little Creek emptying into Republican. I discharged Sinon this morning. Co Rux is driving.
Sinon had been hired as a teamster - Co-Rux was Sergeant of the Pawnee Guard
Saturday 9.
this morn we moved at 7 a.m. for the forks of Republican I sent Kis and fifteen men out on 3 days of scout. I arrived at the forks with my command at 11 a.m. having marched 12 miles we encamped here till Monday. tomorrow two scouts go out one up north fork and one up south fork of Republican.
Friday 15.
we move in the morn towards home
Sunday 17.
this morn we moved at 8 a.m. and came down the Big Timbers where we are now camped. tomorrow the command separates and half go down this stream and half over to beaver. I go to beaver Cushing goes down Republican.
Monday 18.
Moved this morn at 8.a.m. and after crossing to the south side of Republican the command separated 2 companies of the 2nd Cav. and Capt. Cushings Company went down the River to the stockade where we will meet them the 26th. We came accross the country to the beaver where we arrived at 5 p.m. Marched 26 miles.
B and C Troops, Second Cavalry, were detached with all the weak stock to march down the Republican to the old stockade below the mouth of Medicine Lake Creek, there to await the remainder of the command. The main column took its old trail southward to the Beaver. (ibid., October 18, 1869.) The "old stockade" mentioned in this entry has not been identified. General Carr described it when he visited the locality on June 14, 1869. He wrote, "Reached the Republican River striking the 'bottom' at a point about five or six miles below the mouth of Medicine Lake Creek. An old and decayed defensive stockade was found on the north bank of the river at this point--by whom built or when was unknown."
October, Tuesday 19. 1869
This morn we got up and found the ground covered with snow.
October, Friday 22. 1869.
Today it snowed all day and of course we did not move camp. we hauled a lot of wood with a mule and we sat by the fire all day. Nothing occured of importance.
Saturday 23.
Moved at 8 a.m. and the Gen. invited me to a hunt down the Creek with him and I don't think I have been so tired this trip as I am tonight. we got good news tonight that we were to move to McPherson command marched 15 miles down Beaver.
Sunday 24.
Moved at 8 a.m. and came straight accross the country to the mouth of medicine where we are now camped. the mail goes in tonight and I write to Mary. she will be glad to know that we go for home now after a 40 day trip. I am tired.
October, Thursday 28. 1869
Moved this morn earlier than usual all being very anxious about seeing civilization. we arrived at the Fort at 2 p.m. and camped down on the River.
Friday 29.
This morn I got orders to move down the road on Sunday next and quarter at the agency we are all on tip toe to get home. I received all my ponies today, that we left here. Gen Augur comes tonight.
Special Orders No. 44....received this day breaks up the Expedition....The Pawnee Scouts (are ordered) to their reservation."
October, Sunday 31. 1869
Arrived at home at 9 a.m. and found Mary and Stella at Depot waiting for me. I am glad to get home my baby has grown so I hardly knew her. have not been out much today.
November 2.
This morn I came to Omaha, and reported for the trial it will not come up for several days and I hate to stay here so long.
Thursday 4.
the trial of the Indians came up done very little today.
The Pawnee, Yellow Sun, Horse Driver, Little Wolf and Blue Hawk were tried in the United States District Court in Omaha for the murder of Edward McMurty. All four were convicted. Upon conviction, Horse Driver and Yellow Sun attempted suicide and Blue Hawk escaped as he was being led from the courtroom. He made his way back to the reservation. He was located there by North but refused to return to Omaha and was supported by many members of the tribe. It was only after soldiers were sent out from Omaha that Blue Hawk consented to go back to jail. The United States Circuit Court of Appeals reversed the decision of the United States District Court on the grounds that the state of Nebraska should have tried the Indians because the murder was committed off the reservation.
Friday 5.
kept all days on the Indian case Kummers Dance comes off tonight but I can't go home
Vincent Kummer was one of the founders of Columbus.
November, Saturday 6, 1869.
trial continued and no new evidence. I came home tonight
Monday 8.
The trial came up again and was continued all day. They got through with me but not in time to go home.
November, Tuesday 9. 1869.
Started home arrived at 2 p.m. will pay my men tomorrow they are already mustered out.
Wednesday 10.
Got ready this morn to pay off. General Alvord arrived at 2 p.m. and we commenced paying at 4 p.m. and was done by 6 p.m. sold several ponies today done very well.
Brig. General Alvord, Paymaster, was chief paymaster of the Dept. of the Platte.
November 15. 1869.
returned to Lone Tree in search of Blue Hawk. went to Platte Lodge and stayed all night.
Platte Lodge was a trading post a short distance outside the Pawnee reservation.
Tuesday 16.
I went over the River found Blue Hawk but he refused to go with me returned to the station and telegraphed news I am nearly dead with the Phthisic Oh how I suffer
November, Wednesday 24. 1869
This morn drove over the River and found I had a new niece. born last night
December, Saturday 4.
am supeonead for to attend Brady's Lawsuit. he is taken up with Larceny
December, Monday 6. 1869.
Today attended the trial between Brady and the state. the evidence was awful. Miller called for a Jury.
Tuesday 7.
Went again to the suit and at 12 o'clock the Jury were ready and business commenced
Wednesday 8.
The Jury decided last night in favor of Tom Brady.
Tuesday 14.
Came home this afternoon and found our little darling sick, she feels real bad.
December, Wednesday 15. 1869.
This morn we were to start East but are far from it. I am sick and the baby is getting no better. I have a very high fever tonight. Billious
Thursday 16.
got up awful sick this morn hardly able to move. suffered all night with my head. and expect the same tonight I dread it much.
Friday 17.
Am some better this morn but very weak had a hard time again last night. This eve I feel very much better than I have since I was taken sick.
December, Saturday 18. 1869.
Today I am nearly well.
Sunday 19.
Today is very cold I tended baby while Ma and Mary went to Church. This afternoon we went to town to bid them all good bye. tomorrow we leave for East.
Monday 20.
Today we bid all good bye and at 11 a.m. we left Columbus for Washington to spend Christmas with Lute
