BACK TRAIL
Records From Fort Sill, I. T. 1873 - 1877
Extracted by Polly Lewis Murphy
Prairie Lore April 1985
Extracted by Polly Lewis Murphy
Prairie Lore April 1985
Although some of these extracts from the old files at Fort Sill have appeared in books and magazines over the years, perhaps we will enjoy reading again of the life of the soldiers, officers, and surgeons at Fort Sill. We can see that much of their time was spent in the field, on scouting parties, escorting bands of indians, or engaged in skirmishes.
The surgeons shared in these hardships, accompanying the units, attempting to safeguard their health. They also made daily reports on this active life in the field, and so we are able to know what army life was really like in those days.
1874: Camp Brazos, Texas abandoned 8 June 1874.
On the morning of August 21, 1874 a command composed of Cos C, E, H, and L 10th Cavy left Fort Sill for Wichita Agency, arrived about 12 M on 22nd. An attempt was made to compel Red Foot`s band of Comanches to surrender and return to Fort Sill. A fight ensued, the Comanche camp was burned, 3 soldiers were wounded. on the 23rd some further skirmishing ensued, one soldier was wounded. On the 28th companies C & H, 10 Cav returned to Fort Sill. Medical officer F. L. Town, USA. Distance to Wichita Agency from Fort Sill, 35 miles.
Sept. 10, 1874 Expedition against hostile Kiowas, Comanches, etc.(Cos B, C, H, K, L, &M, 10th Cav and Cos D,E, and I, 11th Infy)commanded by Lt. Col. J. W. Davidson, 10th Cav, Medical officers, Surgeon F. L. Town, U. S. A.and A.A. Surg. G. W. Hatch U. S. A. Hospital Steward T. G. Underwood U. S. A. left Fort Sill, IT Sept 10th and marched north to the Washita River, thence to the West up this river some 50 miles, and passing yet westward, crossed the North Fork of the Red River. At this date, Sept 30th the command is encamped on the North Fork about 100` 30; West Long. No Indians have been met with. Distance marched 298 miles.
L. Town, Surgeon, U. S. A.
The column in the field from Fort Sill was on September 30th encamped on the North Fork of the Red River. From this point the column moved Westward along the North Fork, and up McClellen`s Creek, the main Southern branch of the stream. Leaving McClellen`s Creek behind, the column directed it`s course Southward along the Eastern borders of Staked Plains crossing the headwaters of the Salt Fork of the Red River and moving in the direction of Red River. Finding the country to the South, adjacent to the Red River greatly broken, and devoid of grass for the animals, the march was directed Eastward,and striking a small branch of Red River (Buck Creek), followed it to it`s mouth; near which the mound marking the 100th meridian and raised by the state of Texas, was seen. From this point the march continued Eastward to Fort Sill; near which post the troops went into camp 12 October 1874. Whole distance marched by the expedition, in round numbers, 500 miles.
The Fort Sill Column in the field started in search of Indians on the 21st inst.
Lt. Col. Davidson, 10th Cav, commanding; Major G. W. Schofield, 10th Cav, commanding Cavalry; Medical Officers: J. W. McCoy, Actg. Asst. Surgeon and R. Barnett, Actg Asst. Surgeon; Thomas G. Underwood, U.S. Army, Hospital Steward. The following remarks of A.A. Surgeon McCoy in regard to the incidents of the march.
Joined the column in the field October 20th, 1874 and which the following day moved to the vicinity of East Cache Creek, near Ft Sill, and from thence in a northeasterly direction to the crossing of Washita River near old Fort Cobb, I.T.
(Oct. 24), and from thence southwest to Elk Creek, October 26, Where a detachment of the column under Major Schofield, 10th Cav, captured without resistance a large party of Comanche Indians and 2000 horses. After a delay of one day the captives were sent to Fort Sill under charge of Capt. Norvall, 10th Cav; and Co`s M, 10th Cav and D, 11th Infantry, October 28th.
The surgeons shared in these hardships, accompanying the units, attempting to safeguard their health. They also made daily reports on this active life in the field, and so we are able to know what army life was really like in those days.
1874: Camp Brazos, Texas abandoned 8 June 1874.
On the morning of August 21, 1874 a command composed of Cos C, E, H, and L 10th Cavy left Fort Sill for Wichita Agency, arrived about 12 M on 22nd. An attempt was made to compel Red Foot`s band of Comanches to surrender and return to Fort Sill. A fight ensued, the Comanche camp was burned, 3 soldiers were wounded. on the 23rd some further skirmishing ensued, one soldier was wounded. On the 28th companies C & H, 10 Cav returned to Fort Sill. Medical officer F. L. Town, USA. Distance to Wichita Agency from Fort Sill, 35 miles.
Sept. 10, 1874 Expedition against hostile Kiowas, Comanches, etc.(Cos B, C, H, K, L, &M, 10th Cav and Cos D,E, and I, 11th Infy)commanded by Lt. Col. J. W. Davidson, 10th Cav, Medical officers, Surgeon F. L. Town, U. S. A.and A.A. Surg. G. W. Hatch U. S. A. Hospital Steward T. G. Underwood U. S. A. left Fort Sill, IT Sept 10th and marched north to the Washita River, thence to the West up this river some 50 miles, and passing yet westward, crossed the North Fork of the Red River. At this date, Sept 30th the command is encamped on the North Fork about 100` 30; West Long. No Indians have been met with. Distance marched 298 miles.
L. Town, Surgeon, U. S. A.
The column in the field from Fort Sill was on September 30th encamped on the North Fork of the Red River. From this point the column moved Westward along the North Fork, and up McClellen`s Creek, the main Southern branch of the stream. Leaving McClellen`s Creek behind, the column directed it`s course Southward along the Eastern borders of Staked Plains crossing the headwaters of the Salt Fork of the Red River and moving in the direction of Red River. Finding the country to the South, adjacent to the Red River greatly broken, and devoid of grass for the animals, the march was directed Eastward,and striking a small branch of Red River (Buck Creek), followed it to it`s mouth; near which the mound marking the 100th meridian and raised by the state of Texas, was seen. From this point the march continued Eastward to Fort Sill; near which post the troops went into camp 12 October 1874. Whole distance marched by the expedition, in round numbers, 500 miles.
The Fort Sill Column in the field started in search of Indians on the 21st inst.
Lt. Col. Davidson, 10th Cav, commanding; Major G. W. Schofield, 10th Cav, commanding Cavalry; Medical Officers: J. W. McCoy, Actg. Asst. Surgeon and R. Barnett, Actg Asst. Surgeon; Thomas G. Underwood, U.S. Army, Hospital Steward. The following remarks of A.A. Surgeon McCoy in regard to the incidents of the march.
Joined the column in the field October 20th, 1874 and which the following day moved to the vicinity of East Cache Creek, near Ft Sill, and from thence in a northeasterly direction to the crossing of Washita River near old Fort Cobb, I.T.
(Oct. 24), and from thence southwest to Elk Creek, October 26, Where a detachment of the column under Major Schofield, 10th Cav, captured without resistance a large party of Comanche Indians and 2000 horses. After a delay of one day the captives were sent to Fort Sill under charge of Capt. Norvall, 10th Cav; and Co`s M, 10th Cav and D, 11th Infantry, October 28th.