1 got him. Ran about two miles, when 2 more gave up and we k them prisoners; then kept up a running fire to the bluffs on the er side of Buffalo Creek. When near the bluffs we killed another 1 took 1 more prisoner. We lost 1 good horse, saddle, bridle, and aipments. The boys behaved nobly. I think several carried lead with them, as there were a good many shots fired at them. All my n arrived in camp 10 p. m.; none killed or wounded. All of them ve some Indian trophy, and feel as though they had not served their ty days for nothing. Respectfully, your obedient servant, JOHN R. PORTER, Dol. R. R. LIVINGSTON, No. 5. port of Capt. Thomas B. Stevenson, First Nebraska Militia Infantry. PAWNEE RANCH, October 7, 1864-10 р. т. COLONEL: Just returned from a disastrous scout to find your General der, No. 4, awaiting me. Yesterday late in the evening I discovered dians on the prairie to the number of about fifty, between the headaters of Liberty and Elk Creeks. I had but four men with me. They attered in a twinkle on seeing us toward Elk Creek. The darkness vored them. I sent immediately to my first lieutenant, F. J. Bremer, mmanding Little Blue Station, to spare me all the men possible, to meet them midway between this post and his. We met at tylight this morning and moved up the east side of Liberty Creek; ence to the head of Elk Creek and down some distance without sucess. I was prepared to stop out all night, the lieutenant was not. e had gone about a mile and then stopped to graze, believing there as not an Indian on Elk Creek, for he had been on the lower part the ay before. As I am informed, he crossed the creek with three men what seemed a trail; was shot dead by Indians in ambush; one of ne men is wounded (I think not serious) with an arrow. The wounded an fired on the Indians several times and felled one. The men fell ack out of the thicket, Indians being concealed and believed to be umerous, though no one saw more than five at one time. A mesenger of those on the other side of the creek came to me. I advanced haste, but all was over. My lieutenant, a good soldier and worthy man, dead by a gunshot; the ground strewn with arrows; a miserable edskin carried off dead or wounded. I explored the thicket; got some noccasins, Indian purses, lariats, and a gun cover in dens they had in he thicket, but the Indians evaded and escaped me. I have not men nough to hold two stations, guard the stage line, and go thirty or orty miles to seek a fight. I now propose to have fifteen mounted men nove down each side of this creek of Indian murderers, and twenty or hirty infantry scour the bed of the creek at the same time, and where necessary burn out the thicket. Will be up to the fort soon. Your obedient servant, THOS. B. STEVENSON, Captain Company A, First Regiment Nebraska Militia. Col. R. R. LIVINGSTON, No. 6. Report of Capt. Lee P. Gillette, First Nebraska Caralry. HEADQUARTERS POST, Fort Kearny, Nebr. Ter., December 16, 1861. LIEUTENANT: I have the honor to report, in obedience to Cirenis No. 9, headquarters Eastern Sub-District of Nebraska, the followin military [operations] at this post: On November 26, 1864, Lieut. John P. Murphy, with eighteen enlisted men of Company F, First Nebraska Cavalry Veteran Volunteer marched to Pawnee Ranch, on the Little Blue River. On morning the 28th of November he marched from that post in a westerly direc tion, scouting the country adjacent to the headwaters of the Litt Blue, and returned to this post on the 30th of November. Report that he saw no Indians nor any signs indicating that they had been of that stream recently. The country passed over from Pawnee Raml to Fort Kearny is considerably broken, and is interspersed with Eu merous small streams. Grass and timber (along the streams) is in sul ficient quantities to supply troops marching through the country. On the same date, November 26, one commissioned officer and forty-five enlisted men of the garrison left post, under command of Capt. L. P. Gillette, on scout to Republican River, with six days' rations for me? and six days' rations for animals. Marched 11.30 p. m. of that day, Moved up Platte River to Seventeen-Mile Point and went into camp Marched at daylight the following morning in a southerly directiott across Platte River Bottom and over the Sand Hills; thence soute west twenty-five miles to the cañons on the head of the creek next east of Spring Creek, and went into camp. The country traveled over after leaving the Sand Hills that skirt the Platte River Bottom is high rolling prairie, and produces no timber and but very little grass. Next morning, November 28, marched west nine miles and struck Spring Creek ten miles from its mouth; thence down that stream to Republican River and up the Republican River seven miles and camped for the night. Next morning, 29th, marched five miles west, forming junction with troops under command of Captain Majors. Returned direct to the mouth of Spring Creek; marched up that stream eleven miles, and camped. Country passed over on last two days' march very much broken. Streams difficult to cross on account of steep banks and muddy bottom. Grass plentiful and on the streams wood in sufficient quantity to supply troops marching through the country. On the morning of 30th marched north ten miles to the source of Spring Creek; thence northeast twenty miles to Seventeen-Mile Point. on Platte River. The troops at post during the month of November have been doing ordinary patrol, escort, fatigue, and guard duty. A part of the colle mand have been building fortifications, and during the month have put up 800 square yards of sod and earth embankment. The extrem cold weather and the number of men required for wood-cutting has interfered with the work on the fort. I most respectfully request that work on the fort be suspended until spring, and that the engineer in charge be discharged. The wood detail (consisting of one commis fioned, officer and twenty-five enlisted men consisting of or Island, eighteen miles east of Fort Kearny, and have put up 200 conds of wood, of which seventy-five cords have been delivered at post. The Platte River is at this season of the year difficult to cross. Wagon sters have found it impossible to take more than half loads over. . Wheatley, wood contractor, has delivered from fifty to seventye cords of wood only on his contract to supply the post with 200 'ds. I respectfully ask that he be proceeded against for non-fulfillnt of contract. [have the honor to be, lieutenant, very respectfully, your obedient vant, LEE P. GILLETTE, Captain, First Cav., Nebr. Vet. Vols., Commanding Post. Lieut. F. A. MCDONALD, Actg. Asst. Adjt. Gen., Eastern Sub-District of Nebraska. No. 7. port of Lieut. Charles Thompson, First Nebraska Cavalry, Acting Assistant Quartermaster. EASTERN SUB-DISTRICT OF NEBRASKA TERRITORY, Fort Kearny, December 2, 1864. LIEUTENANT: In obedience to Special Orders, No. 22, dated headquarrs Eastern Sub-District of Nebraska, November 13, 1864, I have the onor to submit the following report: On receiving the order I proceeded immediately to the post at Plum reek and examined at that place the quartermaster and commissary epartments. Supplies for this post are forwarded from Fort Kearny, stimates for six months' supplies having been made and forwarded. he quarters for the troops are completed, but are not occupied on ccount of not being able to procure any stoves for heating and cookng purposes. The quarters are built without fireplaces. Requisitions Lave been made on Capt. S. H. Moer, district quartermaster, and on by arrival at Plum Creek I wrote him, urging him to procure them at nce, as the troops were in a suffering condition for want of them. This post has a sufficient supply of hay secured for winter use. Fuel or the wants of this post can be procured five miles from the post, and s cut by the troops detailed for that purpose. There are three six-mule eams at this post, which are used for hauling wood, stores, and for post Juty. Fresh beef is supplied by contractors, and is of fair quality. Post of Mullahla's I found in a destitute condition in regard to supolies of fuel and hay. Fuel can be procured twelve miles from the post on Plum Creek, no stream to cross. Lieut. M. A. Hance, First Nebraska Javalry, and acting assistant quartermaster, informed me that if he could get a supply of axes he could get a detail of men to cut the wood, and as there is no team at this post, proposed to press a train to aul it in when he should have a sufficient amount put up. The axes have been forwarded to him. There is on hand at this post about wenty-two tons of hay, but will require seventy-five tons more. I hired a Mr. Smith with his mowing machine to put up the amount required, but after having been at work a short time, the ground being rozen so hard, the machine broke and rendered it almost useless, and Mr. Smith was compelled to abandon the idea of cutting any more hay this season. There is no hay near this post that can be purchased. I would respectfully call the attention of the commanding officer to this fact for his guidance in stationing mounted troops at this post. Supplies for this post are procured from Fort Kearny, and estimates of stores have been made. Post at Dan Smith's Station: The quarters for the troops at this p are completed and are in a comfortable condition. Stores are proct from Fort Cottonwood; estimates for six months' supplies have be made and forwarded. There are twenty-eight tons of hay put up at the post, and it will be sufficient for the command now stationed there, pr vided it is issued in accordance with orders from sub-district he quarters. A sufficient amount of fuel is secured at this post for w ter's use, and more can be procured six miles from the station. M team at this post. Hauling has been done by teams pressed for t purpose. Post at Gillman's Station: Stores are procured from Fort Cotto wood; estimates have been made for six months' supplies and forwarded Quarters for the troops have been erected and are completed and comfortable condition. Stabling for the horses are receiving repai and will soon be completed. A full supply of hay is secured for the post for the present command during the winter. Fuel can be p cured by the troops for the use of this post, having two six-mule tear for hauling purposes and can be obtained seven miles from the station Fresh beef is supplied by contract under the direction of the comm sary of subsistence at Fort Cottonwood, and is of good quality. Fort Cottonwood: This post is the depot of supplies for the followin named posts: Dan Smith's Station, Gillman's Station, Fort Morro O'Fallon's Bluffs, Alkali Station, Beauvais Station, and Julesburg, att has ample store room for supplies for twelve months. The quartermas ter buildings are excellent and in good condition. At present they ar greatly in need of quartermaster stores and clothing. Captain Kin commissary of subsistence and acting assistant quartermaster, havi made his estimates and forwarded them some time ago, has bee informed that they are being filled and stores are now on the way. Th supply of grain at this post is sufficient for this and the posts mention for two months and contract made for a further supply, not completed The supply of hay already secured is sufficient for winter's use and is good quality, Captain King having complied with instruction from di trict quartermaster's office instructing him to purchase all the hay in the vicinity of Fort Cottonwood. Arrangements are made to keep up the supply of fuel for the winter, having it cut by the troops and hauled by public and private transportation (of the latter four teams are hired: Sufficient fuel can be collected from three to seven miles from this post There are five Government teams at this post for hauling wood and other post purposes. The stabling is only sufficient for the cavalry horses now stationed here, leaving the quartermaster's animals exposed to the weather. A sufficient number of logs, however, have been purchased to build a quartermaster stable-is in course of erection and will soo be completed. Fresh beef is furnished this post by contract, is su plied when required, and is of good quality. Twenty-six wagon loads of subsistence stores are on the way from and left Omaha on the 15th ultimo. Fort Cottonwood is destitute of blacksmith's, wagon-maker's and saddler's shops, not having been furnished with the necessary tools. Estimates have been made for them and as soon as receivel shops will be commenced, which are indispensable to this and depend ent posts. Fort Morrow: Troops at this station receive their supplies from Fort Cottonwood, the same as troops stationed at that place. Fuel can be procured at a short distance. Fort O'Fallon's Bluffs is supplied from Fort Cottonwood. Quarter for troops and stabling are well arranged and in good condition. Ful supply of hay secured; 300 tons put up by contract awarded by dis trict quartermaster. Supply of fuel arranged is cut by troops detailed and hauled by transportation hired; distance, thirty miles. One sixmule team for post service, &c., at this post. Tools for blacksmith and saddler shop complete and in good working order. Fresh beef supplied by contractor, Mr. John Morrow. Post at Alkali receives supplies from Fort Cottonwood. Quarters for troops completed and in comfortable condition. Officers' quarters and quartermaster building will soon be completed. One thousand feet of lumber are required at this post to complete stables, quarters, &c., none being on hand at Fort Kearny. I gave the necessary order for it to be purchased and forwarded. Supply of hay for winter's use secured, having been purchased by contract. This post is destitute of fuel, having to haul it sixty miles. The commanding officer informed me that fuel could not be procured at present less than $47 a cord. I directed his quartermaster to procure a quantity at as low figures as possible and to watch for trains returning from the west empty, and by that means procure a supply for winter at reasonable rates. Four Government teams on hand for hauling supplies, &c.; fresh beef supplied by Mr. Fales during the month of November. William Morrow having been awarded the contract to furnish all posts west of Fort Cottonwood, he will in future furnish fresh beef to this post. Beauvais Station supplied from Fort Cottonwood. Sufficient supply of hay put up by Mr. Beauvais and gave necessary instructions for its purchase at $45 per ton. Fuel cannot be procured nearer than sixty miles. Mr. Beauvais having some five cords on hand, I gave instruc'tions for it to be purchased at $45 per cord. Troops are stationed at the ranch of Mr. Beauvais and no Government buildings have been put up. Julesburg: This post receives supplies from Fort Cottonwood, but an estimate was made direct on department quartermaster, which is now being filled and stores are on the way. The men's quarters at this post are not completed, one of the buildings not being covered; the poles have to be hauled a distance of seventy-five and eighty miles. Captain O'Brien, Seventh Iowa Cavalry, is using every exertion to complete his quarters and stables and make them comfortable as soon as possible. Corn is supplied by contract and is promptly forwarded. A sufficient supply of hay is secured. Fuel cut by enlisted men and hauled by hired teams. Commanding officer can keep up a supply in this way. One post team on hand at the post. Fresh beef supplied by contractor, Mr. Morrow. Post at Pawnee Ranch is supplied from Fort Kearny; quarters and stables are comfortable and in good condition. Supply of hay secured. A sufficient supply of fuel is secured for this post, the commanding officer having promised the men that they should be paid for cutting the wood. They are anxious to know the price they will be allowed per cord, as their time of service expires on the 13th instant. Fuelis procured three miles from the station. No Government transportation at this post. Three private teams hired and paid by Capt. S. H. Moer, assistant quartermaster, Omaha, Nebr. Ter. Fresh beef furnished by Contractor Beckwith and is of fair quality. Little Blue Station receives supplies from Fort Kearny. Twenty-five tons of hay at this station and fifty-eight horses to be supplied. The amount is not sufficient to feed through the winter and I would suggest that when the troops at Pawnee Ranch leave, a portion of the troops at Little Blue Station be ordered to that station. Supply of fuel can be procured within one mile of the post. Two private teams hired for post purposes. Quarters and stables completed and in good condition. |