Journal of Marches [in the southern plains and southwest].

Various locations, in Kansas, Indian Territory, Colorado, Texas and Arizona, 1873-1876. 4to, half black leather and marbled paper over boards. 106 pp. of manuscript in ink on ruled paper with printed page numbers in upper outside corners, 30 manuscript maps in pencil with occasional red ink, 1 manuscript map in ink, 1 pencil sketch; numerous tables consisting of dates, miles, and destination reached.

A remarkable manuscript journal of military marches on the western frontier compiled by 2nd Lieut. Frank West, 6th U.S. Cavalry, with compelling narrative content and topographical information, including minutely detailed manuscript maps for each march. The journal reflects military activity on the southern plains during and surrounding the Red River War as well as activity in New Mexico and Arizona Territories during the mid-1870s.

In this carefully organized journal West draws on recent notes, journals, and maps to create an authoritative record of the activities of the 6th Cavalry and the nature of the terrain they covered. It is inscribed on the flyleaf “Frank West 2nd Lieut. 6th Cavalry Jan 8. 1876 Journal of Marches Camp Verde Arizona.” An index appears on the first page listing eighteen marches, as follows: April 2 to April 14, 1873, Fort Harker, Kansas to Camp Supply, I.T., 219 miles; April 16 to July 23, 1873, Camp Supply, I. T. to Fort Clark, Texas and return, 1370 miles; Aug. 20 to Aug. 27, 1873, Camp Supply, I. T. to Antelope Hills and return, 132 miles [titled in body of journal “Scout of Company ‘I’ 6th Cavalry, in search of Mexican Whiskey Traders on the Canadian River”]; Nov 3 to Dec. 2, 1873, Camp Supply to Big bend of Canadian in search of J. Dilsey, 147 miles; Jan. 30 to Feb. 16, 1874, Scout after buffalo hunters along Nescutanga River, 360 miles; May 10 to May 17, 1874, Scout in search of deserters to Fort Dodge, 220 miles; July 8 to July 28, 1874, Scout to Medicine Lady Creek after hostile Indians,182 miles; [the preceding marches are followed by a list of marches dated only by year, the daily entries for which are dated more specifically, beginning on Aug. 20 1874; these include:] Marches on Indian Territory Expedition, 1325 miles, 1874-5; Marches to Cheyenne Agency and Scouts, 366 miles, 1875; Scout after Cheyenne prisoner to Washita, 561 [and] 366 miles, 1875; March to Fort Dodge, 96 miles, 1875; Scout from Fort Dodge, 89 mile, 1875; Escort of wagon train to Granada, Colorado, 130 miles, 1875; March of Second Batallion to Camp Verde, A.T., 822 miles, 1875; March to Camp San Carlos, Apache and ret[urn], 378 miles, 1875; Scout under Col. Compton to move Chiricahua Indians, 679 miles, 1876; Trip to Tuscon after horses, 232 miles, 1876; Trip to Frontenac, 212 miles, 1876.

Many entries include descriptions of the road, topography, geology, water, weather, wood, game, and settlements, including forts. Beyond these useful observations, West provides commentary on a variety matters, including orders received, the comings and goings of personnel, bits of history, and of course interactions with the native people. Of particular interest in this respect is the Red River War section (“Marches on Indian Territory,” 1874-5).

Also of particular interest are West’s maps, drawn with considerable delicacy and nuance. These typically show the route traversed (indicated by a dotted line), relief by hachure, rivers and creeks (many of which are identified), camps (some of them Indian), crossings, canyons, forts, railroads, springs, ranches, water holes, salt flats, stone bluffs, sand hills, etc. Also included are such notes as “Captured 4 Buffalo Hunters” and “Dilsey’s grave,” etc.

The journal includes a single drawing, depicting a stone memorial by a tree, bearing an inscription reading “Sacred to the Memory of Seven Brave men who fell while Gallantly defending their Train against the attack of 150 Comanche Indians”—a reference to casualties in a battle fought on the Washita, September 9-11, 1874. West’s account of this engagement is included in this journal and partially quoted below.

Lieut. (later Colonel) Frank West (1850–1923) was born in Mowhawk, New York and graduated from West Point in 1872, soon heading west to serve in the Indian Wars. In 1890, he was breveted First Lieutenant, for his actions in the battle with the Comanche on the Washita. In 1892, West was awarded the Medal of Honor for his service at the Battle of Big Dry Wash, Arizona, 17 July 1882, where he “Rallied his command and led it in advance against the enemy’s fortified position,” as noted in the citation. West was issued Indian War Campaign Medal number 699.

SOME REPRESENTATIVE PASSAGES:

Camp Supply, 14 April 1873: “Camp Supply is situated on the fork of the Beaver and Wolf Creek about 2 miles above their junction, forming the North Fork of the Canadian River. The post is garrisoned by 3 cos. of the 3rd Infantry and 2 cos of the 18th Cavalry. The latter to be relieved by our 2 cos. The weather while the command remained in camp was terrible. Sandy the wind blowing fiercely and the temperature being very cold. The companies went into quarters on the 16th and I was ordered to Fort Sill with 2 cos of cav. in command of an escort of 12 dismounted men as escort to bring back the wagon train of 18 wagons and ambulance.”

Little Wichita River, 3 May 1873: “Built bridge across Little Wichita River, about 60 feet wide. Composed of 2 cottonwood logs and saplings cross-wise, with dirt and brush on top. Horses and mules forded. Wagons were hauled across by men applied to the picker[?]-rope. Bridge became very poor and feeble when the train had crossed. When I returned from Fort Clark the bridge had been swept away.

5 May 1873: “Scorpions and centipedes abundant”

Bugger Creek, 18 July 1873: Left camp 5.00 am Marched 16 mi to Cheyenne Agency, reached at 11:40 am. Topogy—Hilly to Canadian River then flat to North Fork. Water—None to North Fork where it is abundant and clear. Canadian River is 600 yards wide and sandy and deep…The Cheyenne Agency is a settlement of a dozen houses, school house, 2 stores, steam saw mill, 1/2 dug Indian lodges, drug store. Headqurs of U.S. Surveying party also Agency [?] Mr Miles agent.”

Vicinity of Canadian River, 29-30 November 1873, in search of Jacob Dilsey: “Left camp at sunrise, and sent guide Chapman down N. Fork and Corp. Lange down sand hills and Guide Richmond along edge of sand hill to find a trail. All found trail about 11 miles from Osage Springs. Body found in sand hills. Continued the march to the Englishman’s camp 3 miles below cottonwood grove…returned to North Fork where body had been buried and train was camped, reached at sundown. Marched 40 miles. 3 foreign hunters accompanied us. Followed trail of 11 Kiowa Indians to Big Bow camp at N. Fork of Canadian River.”

Camp Supply to Cimmaron River, 30 Jan.-2 Feb. 1874: “Was ordered with one [?] and 5 men as escort to Deput. U.S. Marshall John Talley[?] to arrest buffalo hunters in the Indian Territory. Left camp at sunrise and marched 32 miles…Marshall William broke up the ranche of a party of 6 Buffalo Hunters on this creek who were engaged in trapping [?] etc. These men were taken to the Cheyenne Agency and released by the Agent Miles…Cross[ed] Bluff Creek and followed wagon trail to Ellen[?] Spring Captured an outfit of 1 man and a 4 mule team loaded with meat…also a smoke house full of meat…Marshall made captive dump his load and then made him skip[?].

Indian Territory, 24 August 1874: ‘Train moved 16 miles to Camp, also Lts. Hurley and Baldwin. They having marched 190 miles from Beaver Creek via Adobe Walls, they having killed one Indian and saw 3 parties, one near adobe walls only 2 m. from camp, one at spring 6 m. E. of Antelope Hill. Killed one Indian 30 m. w. of adobe walls.”

Vicinity of the Canadian and Washita Rivers, along the Texas border, 9 Sept. 1874: “After crossing the Canadian River, a party of 12 Comanches was seen about 2 miles from the River S.W. a very large party being on Howe’s trail some distance to the right—this party was at first mistaken for Col. Price’s[?] Battalion of the 8th Cavalry. I was ordered to form a skirmish line on right front infantry being on left and the reserve with Lieut. Lewis at the train, which had parked. The line advanced and the Indians after firing a few shots retired to a high hill on the top of the divide. I followed these to near the foot of the hill and then withdrew my men to a slope covered from the enemy while making their advance, one of the H Co. shot his horse while charging with a revolver killing him instantly. I then left the detachment and went back to the train which I found corralled, and the teamsters were watering the mules at a watering hole. I told the Co. Captain Seymour that if he would keep his men from firing [?] I would charge and drive the enemy from the hill. He agreed to this, and I advanced with skirmish line to within range and then charged with revolvers. The Indians remaining until I was nearly up to them and then fled in all directions. Two dead ponies were found near the fields. The train then advanced and with my command covering the front; as soon as the old trail was reached, a large body of Indians was seen in a south west direction on the new trail…” An extended description of the larger battle follows.

6 April 1875: “Battle at Cheyenne Agency. Neill while moving[?] a Cheyenne prisoner, he broke and ran, the guard pursuing firing. The prisoners [?] from their camp and then left for some sand hills across the river where their arms are cached and entrenched themselves. Neill made 3 charges but was repulsed with 16 wounded, 4 horses k and sevr wounded. 3 Indians k.”

Cimarron City, New Mexico Territory, 21 August 1875: “Marched 16 m. to ranche on creek 3 m. south of Cimarron City. Rain. Crossed 3 large running creeks. Passed thro an Indian village of Utes and Apaches 50 lodges. Cimarron contains about 300 people, Telegraph Office, Printing Office, Cheese Factory, stores. Elizabeth City 30 m. n. w. Texas cattle worth $15.00 Sheep $2.”

A valuable Indian Wars journal tracing the activities of the 6th Cavalry, with especially rich cartographic and topographic content.

REFERENCES: Frank West, Colonel, United States Army at www.arlingtoncemetery.net

CONDITION: Lacking first five numbered leaves, but no obvious loss of content, as the journal begins with an index of the marches; also lacking pp. 21-26, but again, no apparent loss of content; thus, all leaves apparently removed prior to West’s use of the volume; occasional scribbling in blank areas or on blank pages.