DIARY OF CHAUNCEY B. WHITNEY Excerpted from "Collections of the Kansas State Historical Society, 1911-1912", Edited by Geo. W. Martin, Secretary. Vol XII., State Printing Office, Topeka, Kansas 1912., pages 296-302 submitted by Teresa Lindquist (merope@radix.net); (copyright) 2001 by Teresa Lindquist ----------------------------------------------------------------------- KSGENWEB INTERNET GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY COPYRIGHT NOTICE: In keeping with the KSGenWeb policy of providing free information on the Internet, this data may be used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages cannot be reproduced in any format for profit or other gain. Copying of the files within by non-commercial individuals and libraries is encouraged. Any other use, including publication, storage in a retrieval system, or transmission by electronic, mechanical, or other means requires the written approval of the file's author. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DIARY OF CHAUNCEY B. WHITNEY(1) A Scout with Forsyth at Beecher Island,(2) with letters from GENERAL GEORGE A. FORSYTH and GENERAL Louis H. CARPENTER. August 29, 1868.--Left Hays at two P.M.; marched until eleven and camped among the hills. 30th.--Started at seven o'clock for the Saline River; reached it at noon and camped for dinner. Rained all last night. 31st.--Rained part of the day yesterday. Killed some buffalo. About four o'clock a scout, Jo Lane, reported Indians a mile or two away; false report. Camped at dark on the south fork of the Solomon. September 1, 1868.--Crossed Solomon yesterday morning. Marched until nearly sundown and camped on Prairie Dog creek. Was on guard last night with A. J. Pliley,(3) my "bunkie." 2d.--Camped last night on Beaver creek; followed its course about ten miles for grass. The country is almost a barren desert. Prairies covered with thousands of buffalos. About ten o'clock yesterday, as a few of us were on rear guard, a sudden volley brought us to the front in double-quick time. As we came over the bluff a poor, frightened antelope was seen, and all unharmed. 3d.--Broke camp at eight o'clock. Country very broken. Followed Beaver to its source, then crossed to Little Beaver, on which we camped last night. Are making for Sheridan or Wallace. Rations played. The country along the creeks is covered with wild plum and grape. 4th.--Broke camp at 8:30 o'clock. Marched until 11:30 o'clock and fed the horses. No breakfast or dinner yesterday. Marched about forty miles and camped at eleven o'clock; made a kettle of soup for supper. Guards all asleep last night. 5th--Broke camp at eight o'clock; marched forty-five miles. Reached Fort Wallace at eleven o'clock last night. Horses all tired out. About five o'clock last night Indians were reported among the bluffs. A charge was ordered. Away all went as though the devil had rocked us, and charged upon a Mexican train. One man was thrown and badly hurt. Fort Wallace is situated on the broad, level prairie, 180 miles west of Fort Harker and about five miles east of the Colorado state line, on the south fork of Smoky Hill river. The buildings are built of a pink sandstone, dressed and polished. 6th.--Lay at Wallace all day. 7th.--In Fort to-day; up to Pond City to-night, about three miles from the Fort. 8th.--In Fort to-day, and up to city again. 9th.--In Fort to-day. Wrote some letters, but did not receive any. 10th.--Orders to march this morning. As we were ready to move, received a telegram from Sheridan that the Indians had surrounded the town. Made a hasty march and found some dead cattle and two dead Mexicans, but the Indians had decamped. Followed the Indians about twenty miles and camped in a ravine. 11th.--Marched to-day about twenty-five miles and camped on the head of Beaver creek about three o'clock. 12th.--Marched about forty miles without water; camped at night on Big Timber. l3th.--Marched down Big Timber to south fork of Republican until found an Indian camp; then struck across the country. Camped on middle branch of Republican, or Chief creek, at dark. Marched about thirty miles. l4th.--On guard last night. Marched down Chief creek and camped. Marched about twenty-five miles. l5th.--Marched up the Republican yesterday. Struck an Indian trail and followed it until near sundown. Camped on Republican. Marched thirty miles. 16th.--Struck camp at sunrise. Followed Indian trail until sundown and camped on Dry creek. 17th.--About daylight this morning was aroused by the cry of Indians. Eight tried to stampede the stock; got seven horses. In a few moments the bottoms were completely filled with red devils. Went across the river onto an island, when the fight commenced. About 500 attacked us on all sides, with their unearthly yells. The balls flew thick and fast. The colonel was the first man wounded. Lieutenant Beecher was wounded twice, as was also the colonel. In a few moments eight or ten were hurt, some fatally. The ground on which our little squad was fighting was sandy. We commenced to scoop out the sand with our hands to make intrenchments for ourselves. In a few moments I was joined by two others, who helped me. With a butcher knife and our hands we soon had a trench which completely covered us from the enemy. Behind the works we fought the red devils all day till dark. Only two men were hurt after we intrenched ourselves. Culver was killed and McCall wounded. William Wilson was also killed early in the morning. l8th.--This morning the Indians made a slight charge on us, but were speedily repulsed. They were after three of their dead who lay about twenty yards from us. About fifty of the red devils were killed and wounded. They kept firing from the hills and ravines all day. No one hurt to-day. Two men started for Wallace. 19th.--The Indians made another attack this morning, but were easily driven off. About ten o'clock this evening myself and A. J. Pliley were requested by the colonel to go to Fort Wallace. We started, but a few rods from the battle ground we found the Indians had surrounded the camp, and forced us to return. Was awake all night. It rained all night steady, and everybody was wet and cold. Am very lame with rheumatism to-day. 20th.--Sunday, and all is quiet. No attack this morning. Last night I slept for the first time in three nights. Our surgeon, Doctor Mooers, died this morning about daylight. He was shot in the head. He did not speak from the time he was shot until he died. We have twenty men killed and wounded; four dead. 2lst.--No Indians seen to-day; all dined and supped on horse meat. 22d.--No Indians to-day. Killed a coyote this morning, which was very good. Most of the horse meat gone. Found some prickly pears, which were very good. Are looking anxiously for succor from the fort. 23d.--Still looking anxiously for relief. Starvation is staring us in the face; nothing but horse meat. 24th.--All fresh horse meat gone. Tried to kill some wolves last night, but failed. The boys began to cut putrid horse meat. Made some soup tonight from putrified horse meat. My God! have you deserted us? 25th of September, 1868.--A day long to be remembered by our little band of heroes. Arose at daylight to feel all the horrors of starvation slowly but surely approaching. Got a light breakfast on rotten meat. Some of the boys wandered away to find something to satisfy and appease their hunger. About ten o'clock the cry of Indians rang through the works. Some of the men being out, eight or ten of us took our guns to rescue them if possible. The word was given that it was friends. In a few moments, sure enough, our friends did come. Oh, the unspeakable joy! Shouts of joy and tears of gladness were freely commingled. Such a shaking of hands is seldom witnessed. Soon our hands were filled with something for the inner man, both in the shape of victuals and stimulants. The day passed off in joy and gladness among friends who condoled with us over our hardships and shouted for joy at our success against the enemy. 26th.--Very little sleep was done in our camp last night. To-day several hundred men came on with two field pieces. To-morrow we are to start for Fort Wallace, where I shall bid good-bye to our brave band of scouts to prepare to return east, where I will try to forget in a peaceful home the scenes of the past two years. One man very sick to-night. 27th.--Arose early this morning to prepare to start for Fort Wallace. Rolled out about ten o'clock, marched twenty miles and camped at four on the south branch of the Republican. Five of our boys killed and scalped a Cheyenne about one-half mile from camp. 28th. --Marched thirty miles to-day and camped on a branch of Beaver. Had buffalo for supper and cooked on buffalo chips. 29th.--Broke camp at seven o'clock, marched thirty miles, and camped within seven miles of Fort Wallace; wounded very bad. 30th--Broke camp at 7:30 o'clock and reached the fort at ten o'clock. Helped get the wounded into the hospital. Drew and set up tents. ------ ROCKPORT, MASS., April 15, 1912. Mr. George W. Martin, Secretary Kansas State Historical Society: MY DEAR SIR--Replying to your courteous letter of April 11 last, I shall be very glad to get a copy of your next volume of Historical Collections, especially as it will contain a copy of the diary of C. B. Whitney, one of my scouts in the fight at Beecher Island in 1868. I send you by to-day's mail a copy of "Thrilling Days in Army Life," from my pen. I meant to have sent the Kansas state historical library a copy of it when it was first published. In fact, I thought I had done so. The article entitled "A Frontier Fight," published first in Harper's Magazine, is my contribution to the history of the fight. It was a hot time for both sides, and I was then, and still am, very proud of the splendid way my Kansas frontiersmen stood up to their work. Sincerely yours, GEO. A. FORSYTH. ------ No. 2318 De Lancey Place, PHILADELPHIA, PA. , April 22, 1912. Mr. George W. Martin, Secretary, Kansas State Historical Society: DEAR SIR--I was stationed at Fort Wallace, Kan., as captain, Tenth United States cavalry, in command of troop H of that regiment, at the time of Forsyth's fight on the Arickaree Fork of the Republican in 1868. On the 21st of September, 1868, I left the post with my troop and about fourteen citizen scouts, some seventy men in all, under orders to proceed westward to Sand creek and endeavor to keep the road to Denver clear of Indians, who had been seriously molesting the stages and interfering with the delivery of the mails. On the 22d we encamped at Cheyenne Wells and made an early start on the following morning. About ten o'clock a courier overtook us with a dispatch from Colonel Bankhead, commanding Fort Wallace. The communication stated that two men belonging to Forsyth's party had arrived in the post with the information that Forsyth and his scouts had been attacked by over 700 Indians on the dry branch of the Republican river above the forks. Half his men had been killed and wounded; Doctor Mooers and Lieutenant Beecher killed, and Forsyth himself wounded three times, one leg being shattered with a comminuted fracture. The party was out of rations and had nothing but horse meat to live on. These couriers had escaped through the Indian line by night by using the greatest caution, and had succeeded in reaching Fort Wallace. General Sheridan directed that every effort be made for the relief of Forsyth, and word had been sent to the troops stationed to the north in the posts on the Platte. Colonel Bankhead stated that he himself would leave the post as soon as possible, with about 100 men and a Howitzer, and march for the forks of the Republican, and that he expected me to do all in my power to relieve the beleaguered force. Bankhead took both of Forsyth's couriers with him; therefore I had no guide with me. Forsyth was said to be on the "Dry Fork" of the Republican, about north-northwest of Fort Wallace. The map that I had with me was as good as any, but utterly unreliable concerning the section of the country in question. A point north-northwest from Fort Wallace appeared to be about north 10 degrees west from my position on the Denver road. I directed Lieutenant Orleman to see that this course was followed, and having decided to take my wagons with me and instructed the wagon master to keep them closed up with the troops, we left the road and started across the plains. In the afternoon we crossed some dry branches, and, not knowing which dry branch was alluded to, were forced to carefully reconnoitre each, and, not finding any sign, we would move on. Finally, rather late on the 24th, we reached a large stream with plenty of water, the south branch of the Republican, with wide meadows of lowlands on each side. In these lowlands there ran a large, fresh trail, over which at least 2000 head of ponies had recently been ridden or driven down the stream. It was so fresh that I was apprehensive that the Indians were near at hand, and therefore pushed on rapidly to the side of the stream, where the wagons were corralled and preparations made for a possible conflict. Some time elapsed, and as nothing appeared I took a few men and rode to a hill near by, from which I could get a good view down the river--the direction in which the trail ran. On my arrival at this place I found several Indian scaffoldings on the top, of the kind customarily used for the burial of the dead as a protection from the wolves. As they looked rather recent in their construction, we pulled one down and, having unwrapped the body from its robes, found that it was an Indian killed within a short time by a bullet wound. Several others were examined, with the same result. These Indians had evidently been killed lately in some fight in the vicinity, and the conclusion was that it must have been with the Forsyth scouts. On the opposite side of the river and up a small ravine we found a small tepee of clean, white robes, and on a frame inside lay the body of a warrior wrapped in buffalo robes. He was evidently some one of consequence, and later was identified as Roman Nose, the principal leader in the fight with Forsyth. On our return to the camp and talking the matter over, it was concluded that the chances were that the Indians had come from the fight with the scouts, and we thought that probably all had been scalped, but that the best course would be to follow the back trail and not attempt to follow the Indians down the river. Early in the morning of September 25 I took my scouts and a detachment of the troops and a light ambulance, and left the wagons and rest to follow under Lieutenant Banzhof, and moved at a rapid rate on the hack trail. As we expected, it soon left the river and turned northward. After marching about twenty miles we came across the heavy breaks of a large stream, with deep gullies and ravines cutting the ground up in the limestone formation. We picked our way to a point from which we had a good view. Far below a dry sand river ran, and we could make out what appeared to be an island in it well to the right. Near the island some figures could be seen moving about, and as we advanced they see med to have discovered us and to be retreating to the island. We moved on through the rough and rugged breaks, sending the ambulance and some men by an easier route. We made out that the figures were white men, and, pressing forward, we were soon with the survivors of Forsyth's fight. Forsyth was lying in a place scooped out in the sand, effectually protected from the hostile fire. I knew him personally, having served with him on Sheridan's staff in the Wilderness and Shenandoah campaigns, and of course was delighted to be of service to him in this emergency. He was too weak, shattered and nervous to be able to talk much, but this was not necessary, and I knew that he was overjoyed that his men were relieved. I reached Forsyth and his party twenty-six hours before Bankhead arrived from Fort Wallace. He and Brisbin, with some troops of the Second cavalry came together, having met at the forks of the Republican. In the meantime I had pitched some tents a quarter of a mile farther up the stream, carried all the wounded to the new camp, and made them as comfortable as possible. All of the horses belonging to the Forsyth party lay dead in a circle around the pits dug in the sand for protection from the Indian fire. As the rations had given out, the only food available was the horse meat, which was in a dreadful condition, and some that was to be used the day we arrived nearly made any one sick who happened to be near it. We distributed some bacon and hard bread which we had brought with us, and many of the scouts certainly had a wolfish look of extreme hunger. Dr. Jenkins Fitzgerald, of the medical corps of the army, was with me and attended to the wounded who had been without medical attention since the death of Doctor Mooers, who was killed early in the action by an Indian shot. Doctor Fitzgerald told me that blood poisoning had set in in Forsyth's case, and twenty-four hours' further delay in his treatment would have cost him his life. Our arrival twenty-six hours before the others of the relief parties must have resulted in saving Forsyth's life. The story of the desperate conflict with the Indians can be best told by the participants in the affair. As soon as the necessary arrangements could be made we returned with the wounded to Fort Wallace, where Forsyth lay for three months between life and death. He would not allow his leg to be amputated, and it was finally saved--a wonderful cure, due to the skill and ability of Doctor Fitzgerald and his assistants. Yours truly, L. H. CARPENTER, Brigadier General, U. S. A., Retired. --- NOTE 1--[biography of Chauncey Belden Whitney] NOTE 2.--A cut of the Beecher Island monument erected by the states of Colorado and Kansas, can be found in Kansas Historical Collections, vol. 9, p. 453. The story of the battle can be found in the Collections. vol. 6, p. 346. NOTE 3.--For biographical sketch of A. J. Pliley, see Kansas Historical Collections, vol. 10, p. 431.