Letters During the War
Chapter 28
(Author's note: This is the chapter where I write about what happened in 1867. It's also my "Whoops! How did I miss that and that when I was researching?" Instead of rewriting a couple of chapters, I'm going to have Jimmie "come clean" about some stuff and tuck in some other stuff. Then I'm going to let Buck talk about Red Cloud's War He's the best voice I could think of. No granddaughter yet.)
May 1867
Kansas
Dear Buck and Maggie,
Before Cody finds out and starts teasing me, I figure I'd better tell you about one of my misadventures. Remember when I was first released from the Army I was vague about what I'd been doing? Well, I let this promoter talk me into doing one of Cody's things- an outdoor production of a show called "The Daring Buffalo Chasers of the Plains." The promoter said that I was handsome enough, and my reputation as Wild Bill should bring in the people.
So I went to Niagara Falls, New York for the show. The show wasn't too bad, but there was a big problem. It was outdoors and there was no way to force people to pay to see the show. So we all went broke.
I found out that acting probably isn't my thing. Don't get me wrong, I liked the attention from the women, and being in New York with all the modern things was real nice. But my looks only buys me so many meals. And it certainly wasn't buying me any new clothes. So when the show folded the I headed west. I had heard from my sister by then, so I knew I was going to Kansas.
Please don't tell Cody. He's going to make my life miserable about this. Especially if he turns out to be good at it. I'll tell him myself one of these days.
On to happier news. I couldn't tell you until now, but last year I got hired to guide General Sherman on a "tour of the west." Yes, The General Sherman. He didn't seem like the kind of man who would have been in charge of the "March to the Sea." Nice enough. But then, he said I wasn't as wild as he expected Wild Bill to be. Fair enough.
Sometimes having a reputation (as undeserved as it is) isn't all bad. Guiding General Sherman around meant I ate regular and didn't have to camp rough that much. I don't think I'll be doing anything that fancy again for a while, but it looks like I might get some Army scouting jobs, along with my Deputy Marshal duties.
your friend,
Jimmie
March 1867
Teton Gazette
"Fetterman Massacre"
Eighty-One men out of Fort Phil Kearny, Wyoming, were led into a trap by Indians while they were on a mission to rescue workers from the Fort on December 21, 1866. Captain William J. Fetterman (18th Infantry) and Lt. George W. Grummond (cavalry) led the relief forces. The Fort commander, Col. Carrington gave Captain Fetterman strict orders not to go beyond a certain point, which Fetterman disobeyed. It took 3 days before it was safe enough to retrieve the bodies, many of which were mutilated.
Teton Gazette
"Red Cloud's War and the Fetterman Massacre." by R. Buck Cross, editor
Fort Phil Kearny was one of 3 forts built by the Army to protect the Bozeman Train. That is a shorter route to the Montana gold fields. Despite the presence of the forts and soldiers, the United States has been trying to peacefully negotiate right of passage along the train.
There are two major problems. By prior treaty, the land in question belongs to the Crow Indians. The Lakota (Sioux) have moved into that area and displaced the Crows. The Lakota do not want non-Indians in that area at all. It is one of the best buffalo hunting area left on the plains and they would like to protect it.
The peace treaty negotiations are continuing. The Lakota are primarily represented by a chief named Red Cloud. He has had a very successful reputation for defeating his foes.
Since the Fetterman Massacre the Army and upgraded it's weapons in the area. Now the men are using breech-loading Springfield Model 1866 rifles. These new guns are much faster than the muskets the soldiers had before.
With these new guns, the Army fought the Indians to a near standstill at Hayfield and Wagon Box. This has forced the Indians to change their battle tactics. There have been no more large scale attacks, only harassment of the forts and along the Bozeman Trail. Soldier and civilians have been killed in these raids.
The Army has investigated the Fetterman Massacre. They found that both Fetterman and Grummond disobeyed direct orders to engage the enemy. They were tricked into entering an area where a much larger group of Indians lay in wait. This tactic had been used before, which was why the orders had been given.
Teton Gazette
Editorial by R. Buck Cross, editor
The Fetterman Massacre was a tragedy of war. Not like our Civil War, but a war between whites and Indians for control of an area. What would happen if the Army closed the Bozeman Train and its forts? People would be forced to travel a longer route to get to the gold fields in Montana, but lives would be saved.
Instead of spending tax payers money of defending the Bozeman Trail (which benefits only a few), why not use the resources to protect the building of the transcontinental rail road? Get a good treaty with the Lakota and other Indians in the area. Let them have that portion of the Powder River region. Let's focus men and money on getting the railroad through the southern part of our territory. That's a use of our money that will benefit all of us!
March 1867
McSwain Cross Ranch
(Buck)
Sometimes being a newspaper editor, even a very small paper, is a good thing. The Fetterman Massacre was the powder keg I had been worried about since the end of the war. Suddenly the white folks around us were terrified that all Indians were going to rise up and kill all of them-in horrible ways.
I've almost given up trying to explain the Indian concept of war to whites. Whites think that women and children shouldn't be involved-though they don't apply that rule to Indian women and children). We see it as part of the process. Battles should be between men, but attacks on villages or mixed groups of Indians means fighting everyone. I've known some very fierce women fighters.
The purpose of my articles and editorial was to get folks to settle down. The Massacre wouldn't have happened if the officers had followed orders. But they were, according to what I'm reading, glory seeking. We don't need that out here.
I would love to see a real treaty that would close the Bozeman Trail, for as long as possible. The Indians are trying to save their way of life. I don't know if that's possible, but I salute their efforts.
December 1867
Kansas and points west
Dear Buck and Maggie,
I've been busy. One of my jobs was to scout for General Winfield Scott and Lt. Col. George A. Custer. That was real interesting. It looks like Scott might run for President of the United States in 1877. So a lot of this trip was to make himself look good for the voters. I told him I'd vote for him, but really, it depends on who is running against him. President Lincoln I liked, but generally I have little use for politicians.
Since then I've gotten to know Lt. Col. Custer and his wife socially. They've had me over for dinner several times. They're interesting people. Cody was right. Custer's wife, Libbie, is trying to get him ready to run for office. With the help of her daddy, Senator Benton, they feel that George could run for President once he becomes more famous. I found Custer to be courteous and likable. But I'm not sure how smart he is. He really is vain about his appearance. I have to tell Cody about some of this. He makes Cody seem downright humble. Libbie Custer is a looker and know it. I've caught her looking me over a few times. No thank you! I would like to keep my relations with women simple.
It looks like I'll be working for the Army though part of 1868. I'd like to keep away from the Indian wars, but I'm not sure that's possible.
My new niece and her older brother are fine, along with the rest of the family. My niece looks like she'll be as pretty as my sister. Her daddy is going to be busy.
your friend,
Jimmie
December 1867
Central City, Colorado
Dear Maggie,
I'm sorry I haven't gotten back to you sooner. Trying to raise two children, plus run a house is a whole lot more work than I imagined. I have no idea how my mother did it. Or how any mother does it for that matter. I'm real glad for the help Emma and Rachel give us.
You asked about the name of our newest child. We had a girls name picked out right away. We were going to name her after both of our mothers. Figuring out a boys name was much harder. Neither of us wanted to name him after our fathers. And we didn't have any other male relatives worth using the name of. So we finally decided to think about our friends.
Kid said it was up to me, so I chose James for a first name. We could call him Jamie. And then I got to thinking about Michael. I don't know if you knew him. After you went away to teach, Teaspoon hired some new riders. Michael was one of them. He thought he was hell on wheels. All he was, was young. He up and joined the Army shorty before my wedding.
Do you remember the young man who died in my arms just after my wedding ceremony? That was Michael. I think someone ought to remember him. I don't know if I ever got all the blood stains out of my wedding dress. So that's the story.
We had a nice Christmas. Mostly quiet. The menfolk were actually around most of the time, for a change. Little Sam is 3 now and understands what presents are. Training him about the real meaning of Christmas is going to take some doing. Both boys were such a blessing to have around. I may complain about all the work, but I wouldn't give either of them back. I hope you had a good Christmas season as well. Soon it will New Years and the quiet will be gone. But that's how it is.
My news. It's sooner than we had wanted, but I'm pretty sure I'm pregnant again. Kid's excited. He wants a girls this time, and so do I. The timing is a bit quick after Jamie, but as Emma says, "God's timing usually turns out best." I'm trusting she's right.
Your friend,
Lou
