CHAPTER 1
January 1891
Wounded Knee Creek, 2nd Ranch, Thursday, January 1st, 1891, So. Dakota.
I begin this year to write up a diary for every day in the year, telling all, or all the leading things, that occur where I am. Also the place I am in.
January of the New Year opened up lively. The headquarters and eight troops of the 6th Cavalry are encamped near White River, at Yellow Bird's Ranch — eight hundred Indians are encamped at White Clay Creek twelve miles from here. At 1:30 P.M. today heavy firing was heard in the vicinity of White Clay Creek [sic: White River]. Gen. Carr immediately ordered Major Tupper's command (1st Battalion) and Troops A, H, & G, out to the scene — Some few minutes later two soldiers were discovered in the distance riding very fast to camp. They soon arrived and informed the officer in command that K Troop of this regiment, who were on their way to join us, were surrounded, and they and their wagon train were being attacked by a band of over two hundred Indians. The couriers went on to inform Gen. Carr of the trouble.
Volley after volley were heard quite distinctly. The troops moved on at a dead charge, which was kept up for six miles. This brought us to the brow of a small hill, and through the smoke could be discerned K Troop engaging a large band of Indians — their wagons were drawn close together, and they themselves were behind rifle pits, which they had dug. We and Major Tupper's command formed a skirmish line, and were engaging them [the Indians] on the right, while K Troop poured a destructive fire into them from the front. Indian after Indian could be seen, or rather was seen to fall, and were immediately dragged off by their companions. By this time Gen. Carr and the rest of the command arrived and made a flank movement to surround the Indians. The Indians, seeing this movement, ran away. K Troop was then escorted into camp, and as night was coming on and the Indians were not in any great body, and [as] all the camp supplies were totally unprotected, it was thought best to return [to camp]. Strange to say, no soldiers were killed and none were wounded. A government horse, also a citizen scout's horse, were shot. It is expected a big fight will occur here in a day or two. Let her go, that is what I enlisted for, to fight, and I just as live [to] go out like today as not. It is exciting.
Today was the day of my first Indian fight, and it made me mad to hear those red devils yell. The more they would yell, the more I would feel like killing them all or seeing them killed.
Friday, Wounded Knee Creek, So. Dakota, Jan. 2nd, 1891.
We expected today to hear "Boots and Saddles" call go any minute, and do now at 9 P.M., to go to help some troops of cavalry that were engaged in fighting Indians. Sleep with all of our clothes on tonight, sure pop. Nothing of any consequence occurred today.
I am on picket guard in a log cabin about a mile from camp, watching for Indians, which are thought will attack the camp tonight. So as I am not in post now, I thought I would write today's diary, as I carry the pen and book with me.
Wounded Knee Camp, So. Dakota, Saturday, January 3rd, 1891.
Off we went on the gallop today to ascertain what the firing was about a[t] three miles from camp, and found it was Cheyenne Indian scouts killing cattle on the prairie. We also brought in about two hundred Indian ponies, which were abandoned by Indians. No Indian attack last night as was expected. Troop out scouting every day, and our [G Troop's] turn tomorrow. Hope we go, because I like to ride and see hostiles, now that I am broken in to skirmishing with them. Horse threw me, or rather fell over with me, this morning.
Wounded Knee Camp, So. Dakota, Sunday, January 4th, 1891.
On the first page of this book it would have been alright, perhaps, if I said we arrived at this camp the 28th of December, 1890. The night of December 27th, 1890, we spent out of doors, without any tents over us, at White River, about forty miles from [our present] Wounded Knee camp. That was an awful cold night for me, with one blanket of my own and one other I borrowed. We marched to White River, or a point on White River, (White River extends many miles) about 6 P.M. from the camp on Cheyenne River, at the mouth of Rapid Creek, a distance of about thirty miles.
We laid in camp [today] all day waiting orders.
I was on stable guard today, and also am on tonight, walking by the horses two hours at a time and four hours off. Very cold day and night.
Wounded Knee Camp, So. Dakota, Monday, January 5th, 1891.
This morning the third battalion, Major Adam in command, and comprising G, A and H troops, went up White Clay Creek nineteen miles after some Indians that were reported there. When we got there, our birds had flown. We found an Indian warrior and his squaw in a shack (house), and the warrior being very sick from a wound he received at the fight of January 1st 1891 at a point on White River [at the mouth of Grass Creek].
We got back to camp about dark, after seeing nothing in the shape of a redskin, we making a march today of thirty-eight miles, and [I] am ready any moment for Indians.
Gabriel (my horse) felt gay all day, but caused me no trouble to speak of. Elegant day.
Wounded Knee Camp, So. Dak., Tuesday, January 6th, 1891.
Escorted the wagons to get hay and wood today, going a distance of only nine miles. The horses feel rather stiff after yesterday's march. Nothing exciting today; only a runaway that caused little fun.
Wounded Knee Camp, So. Dak., Wednesday, January 7th, 1891.
Laid in camp all day. Had some fun with my horse by riding him bareback. I made a bridge over the creek today so as I could get over to get wood hand[il]y.
Wounded Knee Camp, So. Dak., Thursday, January 8th, 1891.
Laid in camp all day, I being on picket guard about one mile away from camp in an old log house deserted by one of the Indian owners. I visited the house of Big Turnip and got a hair mattress, which will keep me a little warmer nights. I have got quite a lot of Indian relics.
Two scouts came in and said there were about forty Indian warriors coming towards the camp, and Lt. Gray, who was in charge of us (the pickets) had a fit — he acted like a big fool. He told the sergeant he never [before] was under fire and he did not know how he would behave. Well, he made us [board?] up the windows in the shack and cut loop holes and fix the doors, etc., so much it made me tired, doing all this and about five hundred soldiers a mile away at the camp. Well, I was wishing the forty braves would come, for we could (six privates, one sergeant, and one corporal and one lieutenant) have stood off two...