Jenness_History 19th Cavalry
Paragraph 1.
Oct. 8th 1868
See subsequent
letter from Genl Sheridan, dated Oct 9th 1868. to Gov. Crawford, calling for 1 full Regt. of Cavalry, on file in Governor’s office [XXXX]
the real basis of organization.
[Page 2]
No. 2.
Oct 26/68.
See Gen’l. Order No. 1.
[Page 3]
No. 3
Oct. 29, 68.
See General Order
No. 2.
[Page 4]
No. 4
Nov. 2d, 68.
Note:
See Genl. Order
No. 3.
No. 5
Nov. 3/68.
[Page 5]
[Page 6]
See.
Circular letter marked “A”
[Page 7]
No. 6.
Nov. 4/68.
[Page 8]
[Page 9]
No. 7
Nov. 4, 68.
[Page 10]
See Gen’l order No. 5 of Nov. 5th 1868. Col. Crawford assumes command.
[Page 11]
This roster can be filled up from the records in the Adjt. Genls office, my memoranda of the names of the officers has been mislaid.
No. 8.
Nov. 5/68
[Page 12]
[Page 13]
No. 9
Nov. 6/68
No. 10
Nov. 7/68 –
See Gen’l order No. 6
[Page 14]
See Genl. Order No. 7.
No. 11.
Nov. 8/68.
[Page 15]
No. 12
Nov. 12/68.
[Page 16]
Note:
Special See Order No. 11. Nov. 18th
[No. 13
Nov. 13/68.
[Page 17]
No. 14
Nov. 14th
No. 15.
[Page 18]
Nov. 15th
[Page 19]
Nov. 16th
[Page 20]
Nov. 18th
Note
The first stock stampede.
[Page 21]
[Page 22]
[Page 23]
See Gen’l order No. 8.
[Page 24]
Nov. 19th to 21st
Nov. 21st
History of the 19th Kans. Cavalry –
Indian War of 1868-69-
Extracts from private diary of Capt. Geo. B. Jenness.
Consulting my diary of the operations of the 1st Batt. K. M. I find the first allusion made to the organization of a new Regiment under this date. And among the papers relating to that organization, a dispatch from Gen’l. P. H. Sheridan to Gov. Crawford, regarding as follows:
“In the field” Ft Hays. Oct. 8/68.
His Excellency S.J. Crawford.
Governor State of Kansas:
General Hazen has informed me that the friendly overtures which were made to the Kiowas & Comanches at Larned on the 19th & 20th Sept. 1868 have failed to secure peace with them, or their removal to their reservations and I am authorized to muster in one Regiment of Cavalry from your State for a period of six months. I will communicate further with you on the subject on the receipt of additional instructions from General Sherman
P.H Sheridan –“
A few days subsequently, full instructions were communicated to Governor Crawford, and recruiting actively began in various [portions of the State, for the 19th Kansas. Authority was given to recruiting officers, in the counties as follows:
Douglas County, raised Company “D”
Shawnee County “ “ “A”
Franklin County, “ “ “F”
Leavenworth County “ “
Riley County “ “
Lyon County “ “
Anderson County “ “
Doniphan County “ “
Bourbon County “ “
Allen County “ “
“ “
“ “
and as fast as Companies filled, they were immediately ordered to Topeka, where the general rendezvous and camp of instruction was Established.
By the 26th of Oct. or in about twelve or fifteen days from the beginning of active recruiting, the greater portion of the Companies were upon the ground, had been uniformed and partially Equipped.
Upon this date Major W.C. Jones, of Iola, Allen County, who had been commissioned 1st Major, assumed command of the camp, by “General Order No. 1. and announced the following named officers, as Regimental Staff: “who were to be obeyed and respected accordingly:”
Major Mahler Bailey – Regimental Surgeon
1st Lieut. Luther A. Thrasher – Quartermaster
1st Lieut. James M. Steel – Adjutant
1st Lieut. John Johnston – Commissary
1st Lieut. E. K. Russell – Asst. Surgeon.
Under the energetic and efficient administration of Major Jones, the command rapidly advanced in organization, drill and general diciplin.
At this date the companies were all present, and went actively engaged in fitting for active service. The horses, as fine a lot of stock as ever carried a Regiment, had been issued to the several Troops and the following daily bugle calls, announced this date, will indicate the manner in which every moment of time, was devoted to perfecting the Efficiency of the Regiment. General Order No. 2: (See this order in accompanying [XXXXX] pa.)
x x x x x x x x x
Revielle – 6 o’clock Drill call 1 ½ o’clock
Stable call – 6 ½ “ Recall 2 ½ “
Breackfast 7 ½ “ Orderly call 3 “
Guard Mount 8 “ Watering “ 3 ½ “
Water call 9 “ Stable “ 4 ½ “
Drill call 10 “ Retreat Sundown
Recall 11 “ Tattoo 8 ¾ o’clock
Dinner call 12 “ Taps 9 “
In the same order, the name of the camp
was announced as “Camp Crawford,” complimentary to the Governor.
On the 1st of November Captain Horace L. Moore, who had recruited Co. “D”, at Lawrence, arrived and was commissioned Lieut Col. of the Regt. Col. Moore, had commanded the Battalion of the 18th Kans. Cav. during the campaign of 1867, with the rank of Maj. and his experience in Indian warfare, justly entitled him to this position. At this time, Capt. David Payne, also a Capt. in the 18th (Co. D) was the only other officer who had experience upon the plains. Subsequently Capt. Geo. B. Jenness, formerly Capt. Co. “C” 18th Kans. joined the Regiment as Capt. of “F” Troop. On the following day, Nov. 2d Col. Moore issued General Order No. 3 – formally assuming command of the Regiment and retaining in force all orders previously issued.
On the 1st of Nov. a leave of absence had been granted to Capt. G.B. Enderton [XXXXX] “F” of two days to visit his home at Ottawa, Ks. He returned the evening of the second.
Some little dereliction of duty occurring upon the part of Capt. Enderton, during the forenoon of the 3d, he was summoned
to Regimental Headquarters, and quite severely reprimanded by Col. Moore. This officer had previously called attention to the carelessness of some of the officers, and perhaps seeking to make this occasion an example for the future, perhaps overstepped the bounds of official courtesy.
At any rate, the dignity of Capt. Enderton suffered to such an extent, that he felt called upon to resign a service, which promised more such reencounters in the future. Per consequence he handed in his resignation to the Governor, who very promptly accepted it. This was the occasion of sending for Major G.B. Jenness, then in command of the State Battalion at Salina, as he was from Franklin Co. where Co. F. was recruited and offering him the position, made vacant by Enderton’s resignation. He was immediately telegraphed, and arrived from Salina during the night, and by 2 o’clock, he had been commissioned, and mustered into service by General Forsythe of the regular army, who had previously mustered in, all the officers and men of this Regiment.
In the organization of the respective Companies. Commanders had been governed by the rules established during the late war,
in the appointment of their non-commissioned officers and each company contained a Commissary Sergeant. Circular Order No. 1 dated Nov. 3/68. was therefore issued by Col. Moore, calling attention to the Act of Congress of July 28th 1866 and announced in Gen’l. Order No. 56. War Dept. Aug. 1st 1866. which abolished the office of Commissary Sergeant, and requiring Co. Commanders to comply with these requirements. This order resulted in some confusion in the companies, as in most cases, good men had been appointed to this position, and Co. officers, feeling disposed to retain them as non-commissioned officers, were forced to reduce duty Sergeants, to give their Ex.-Commissary Sergeants positions. In one Company, the dissatisfaction extended to the Commissioned officers, and for the remainder of the service, broke up that good feeling and unity of action between its officers, which always ought to exist, in order to insure proper disciplin.
The Regiment was now, in remarkable good condition, considering the time allowed for drill, and the fact that at least Nine tenths of the men had never seen
service, and were consequently, wholly unfamiliar with the duty of soldiers, when they enlisted. However, the little “leaven in the loaf,” in the few old soldiers, judiciously distributed in the several Troops, made itself very apparent, in the readiness with which the recruits acquired the drill, and learned camp duties from the example of the old soldiers. The officers were principally experienced men, zealous in the discharge of their duties, and taking a commendable pride in bringing their commands up to the highest possible condition of excellency. As Dr. Baily truthfully says, in an article contributed to the report of the “Kansas State Medical Society” in 1869, speaking of the whole command: “A large number were young men between the ages of eighteen and twenty-one- very few over forty – and altogether were a fine lot of men physically, the best volunteer regiment I ever saw.”
General Sheridan had repeatedly urged upon Gov. Crawford, the pressing necessity for rapid preparation, and had been himself extraordinarially promp in furnishing the equipments and arms for the Regiment. While the 19th was organizing, the General had occupied all the regular force
available in establishing a supply post on the Cemerone River, South of the Arkansas river and in the very center of the country, of the hostile Indians. He had named this depot “Camp Supply,” and had accumulated a large amount of supplies. To this point the 19th Kansas was directed to repair at the earliest possible moment. Two companies of the 19th “, “A” Capt. A. J. Pliley and “D” Capt. J. Q.A. Norton, were now under marching orders, and were to go by rail to Ft Hayes, and thence as an escort for a large supply train of army wagons, almost due South to the new depot on the Cemerone. On the evening of the 4th their horses were loaded in box cars and the men in passenger coaches, and these two Companies started for their destination, the first of the command on duty. On the same train which bore them westward, Capt. G. B. Jenness, returned to his old Headquarters at Salina, to turn over that command and stores to Lieut. M.R. Harris, his successor. His instructions were to join the Regiment, at the forks of the Arkansas, (a port called Wichita)
within six days, while the Regt. was on its overland march for Camp Supply.
On the morning of the 4th of Nov. the following order was issued from Regimental Headquarters:
Camp Crawford, Nov. 4/68.
Gen’l Order No. 4.
“The Companies of this Regiment not now under marching orders, will be ready to march at 10 o’clock A.M. Nov. 5/68. Company Commanders will be allowed to retain two common tents, and all others will be left standing as they are and receipts taken for them from the Reg’t. J.M.
By Command of.
Maj. W.C. Jones, Comd’g R’gt.
J.M. Steel-Adjutant
Col. Moore having gone home on a short leave of absence, Maj. Jones was temporarially in command again.
Active preparations for the march at once began. All surplus Equippage was turned in, the men selected their packs and life and bustle, indicated the general approbation of the order.
In the mean time, and almost at the last moment, Governor Crawford decided to take command of the Regiment in person. His gubernatorial term had nearly
Expired, Lieut. Gov. Green was already present, and the service was one preeminently suited to Gov. Crawfords temprement.
That night his formal resignation took place. Gov. Green signed his commission as Colonel, and General Forsyth, who was still present, mustered him into the U.S. Service.
The Regiment was now full, and completely officered, the field and Staff constituted as follows.
Colonel. S.J. Crawford – Comd’g Regt.
Lieut. Col. H. L. Moore –
1st Major - W. C. Jones - 1st Battalion
2d“ C. H. Dianvon 2d Battalion
3d“ R.W. Jenkins 3d Battalion
Major Klahler Bailey - Reg’tl. Surgeon
1st Lieut. E. K. Russell Asst. Surgeon
1st Lieut. Robt. Aikman Asst. Surgeon
1st Lieut. J. M. Steel Adjutant
1st Lieut Luther A. Thrasher Quartermaster
1st Lieut. John Johnson Commissary.
Non Commissioned Staff.
Sergeant -- Q.M. Sergeant
“ ---- Sergt. Major
“ ---- Com. Sergt.
“ ---- Chief Bugler
and Officers of the line as follows:
Co. “A.” Co. “B”
Capt. – A.J. Pliley Capt.
1st Lieut. 1st Lieut.
2d “ 2d “
Co. “C” Co. “D”
Capt Capt. Jno Q.A. Norton
1st Lieut. 1st Lieut. Jno. G. Edie
2d Lieut. Bra 2d Lieut. Chas. Hoyt
Co. “E” Co. F
Capt. Capt. Geo. B. Jenness.
1st Lieut. 1st Lieut. D.W.C. Jenness
2d Lieut. Brady 2d Lieut. Jno.W. Fellows.
Co. “G” Co. “H”
Capt. Twiss Capt – Dave H. Payne
1st Lieut. 1st Lieut.
2d Lieut. 2d Lieut.
Co. “I” Co. “K”
Capt Ellsworth Capt. Milton Stewart
1st Lieut 1st Lieut.
2d Lieut 2d Lieut.
Co. “L” Co. “M”
Capt. Capt.
1st Lieut. 1st Lieut.
2d Lieut. 2d Lieut.
On the morning of the 5th Col. Crawford assumed command of the Regiment by the following formal order: dated at Regimental Headquarters “Camp Crawford.”
General Order No. 5.
I. By virtue of commission from His Excellency Green,
Gov. of Kansas. and mustered into service Nov. 4th 1868. I hereby assume command of the 19th Kans. Cav. Vol’s.
All existing orders will remain in force until further orders.
Official. S. J. Crawford.
J. M. Steele – Adjutant. Col. 19th Kan. Cav. Vol’s.
During the day the Regiment broke camp and marched out with flying colors and in very fine order. Only one man was left behind, - a case of remittant fever, and the health, spirits and fine condition of men and horses, naturally inspired hopes that the 19th would accomplish much, during its term of service, and at the same time, reflect credit upon the young state from which it had been so quickly gathered. Certainly, no similar organization had ever begun a campaign under more favorable circumstances, nor in better conditions, and yet we anticipate somewhat, when we say, that no hopes in any regiment, were ever more bitterly disappointed.
And that to, through no fault of its own,
The courteous treatment of the citizens of Topeka, while the Regiment was camped within its Northeastern boundaries, is still gratefully remembered, and caused a pang of regret, in many hearts, when the Regiment marched out, notwithstanding the general desire for active service.
The first camp after leaving Topeka, was named Camp Moore, in honor of the Lieut. Col. Here the Regiment remained over the 6th and 7th, in order to complete its arrangements for service. The men were well provided with clothing, including rubber ponchos, but had no tents or shelter of any kind, and as the weather was beginning to be cold, some suffering was Experienced during the nights. The arms, Spencer Carbines, and Colts revolvers, were new, as were the accoutrements, and an abundant supply of ammunition was provided.
The calls arranged for camp and drill, in General Order No. 2 were of course impracticable on the march, or in the field, and Gen’l Order No. 6 announced the following calls for the future guidance of the command:
Revielle, 4 o’clock. Breakfast -----5 o.c. a.m
Stable call, 4:15 “ General ------ 5:20 “
Boots & Saddles 5:30 o’clock Advance 6 o’clock
To horse 5:45 “
By General Order No. 7 same date, the Regiment was subdivided into three Battalions as follows.
1st Batt – Major Jones. 2d Batt – Maj. Dianvon.
Co’s. “A” “D” “H” and “L.” Co’s. “B” “E” “I” and “M”
3d Batt. Maj. Jenkins.
Co’s. “C” “F” “K” and “G”
and as Major Jenkins had not reported for duty, but was expected to join at Wichita, Lt. Col. Moore was temporarily assigned to the command of the 3d Battalion.
The command went into camp near Emporia Lyon Co. Ks. on the night of the 8th, after a hard days march. The weather tuned much colder and a cold disagreeable rain, fell during the greater part of the day. In the evening a light fall of snow occurred, and it became so cold, that it required considerable exertion, on the part of the men, to keep comfortably warm. One man, belonging to the Regiment, had a severe attack of pneumonia, and the Surgeon was forced to leave him at Emporia, under the care of Dr. Jacobs, of that city. No event occurred
during, the remainder of the march to the Arkansas, worth noting.
On the 12th the command arrived at Wichita. The conflux of the Little, with the Greater Arkansas rivers, and went into camp in a narrow bend of the river, some distance west of the Post. This little station consisted on one rudely constructed log building, used for army supplies, another similar, though smaller log structure inhabited by the post sutler, of Capt. Jennings Company of the Militia Battalion, and one or two adobes. Some little distance to the Northwest, stood four or five, bark and grass wove wickies, of the C[XXXXX] Indians, looking like dirty gibley tents, from a distance, but uninhabited. The Indians who formerly frequented this place, having all gone west. The Bucks, doubtless to join the Cheyennes, and Comanches, in their predatory expeditions upon the more northerly Kansas frontier.
Capt. Barr. Bat. Maj. U.S.A. was found in command of this station, with a part of one company of regulars. This officer did not impress our command with a very exaulted opinion of the courtesy of Regular army officers, and it was only by threatening summary measures, that Col. Crawford
finally succeeded in procuring necessary supplies, in compliance with general Sheridan’s orders. As it was, but five days scant rations, could be secured for the men, and an indefinate amount of damaged forage for the animals. Some of the latter being so badly spoiled, and of such apparent short weight, that Lieut. Thrasher, Regt’l. A.Q.M. asked for a Board of Survey, before he would attempt to bear it on his accounts. By Special Order No. 1 – Maj. Dianvon, 1st Lieut. D.C. Jenness and 2d Lieut. Brady, were detailed for this duty. It is sufficient to note, that the investigations and report of this Board, more than sustained Lieut. Thrasher’s judgement of the indifferent condition of this lot of corn.
Capt. Jenness joined the command on the morning of the 13th after a horseback ride of over 75 miles from Salina, through an uninhabited country, frequented by roving bands of Indians. He was escorted by four men of Capt Park’s Co. of the State Battalion. He at once assumed command of “F” Troop, which, during the march from Topeka, had been well commanded by Lieut. D.C. Jenness.
The camp at Wichita, was named “Camp Buchers,” doubtless in honor of the noted pastor of Brooklin, or his military son. The command only remained one day in this delightful and picturesque encampment, drawing rations and otherwise preparing to abandon the last established outpost of civilization and to enter the sand hills, the cactus lands, and sage brush of the west and South side of the Arkansas river.
On the morning of the 14th the Regiment broke camp, the officers and men in high spirits over the cheering prospects of an active and immediate campaign against the Indians. The horses were in fine condition, the teams of the transportation train fresh and strong and every indication propitious of a brilliant and successful ending of a campaign begun under such auspicious circumstances. By direction of Genl. Sheridan, two scouts, reputed to be thoroughly familiar with the plains of Southern Kansas and the Northern portion of the Indian Territory, were assigned to duty with our Regiment.
Of these two “Apacha Bill,” was the leader and supposed to be the keenest and most experienced and to his guidance, Col. Crawford trusted himself and command with the utmost confidence. The point of juncture,
and rendevous, where the 19th was to join the regular forces, congregated for this hopeful campaign, was Camp Supply, a new post established by Gen’l. Sheridan, near the Northwest corner of the Indian Territory, and on the North Fork of the Canadian River. The distance from Camp Bucher, a point quite near the present site of Wichita, was supposed not to greatly exceed one hundred and fifty miles. The country intervening, however, was a wild and unbroken region, save by a single trail running westward, and bearing into the Indian Territory, and known as “Dutch Henry’s Trail.” Apacha Bill declared himself familiar with this prairie highway, and the command followed his guidance from Camp Bucher with the most implicit confidence. The expectation of Col. Crawford was to join Gen’l Sheridan and Gen’l Custar with the 7th U.S. Cavalry, at Camp Supply, within the five days for which rations had been drawn, at the very comfortable and sober rate of about thirty miles per day, and without exhausting men or beasts. During the forenoon of the 15th the weather changed from fair to cloudy, and an extremely cold and disagreeable rain
storm set in, preventing our usual day’s march, and putting upon the face of that naturally monotinous and dreary country a doubly gloomy aspect. At night, the wet and shivering command, went into camp at the foot of a spongy, and sandy range of hills, barren of vegitation except sage brush, and with no fuel except the few stunted cottonwoods which grew on the margin of the little brook which ran through the valley below. That night will probably be forever remembered by the men of the 19th, for the exquisit misery of the occasion. About midnight the rain, turned to a heavy sleet and with the imperfect shelter afforded by our tents, the biting cold and scarcity of fuel, there was nothing left but manuel exercise to keep even half way comfortable, and but little sleep, was secured that night by officers or men. The stream being a branch of the Nenescah, the foot hills were called the “Nenescah hills.”
On the morning of the 16th after breakfasting under difficulties, the command resumed its march, the weather being still cold and cloudy. This day and the 17th furnish no points of interest, both having been passed in slow and tedious
marching among the bleak hills, and over the table lands, ordinarially barren and sandy and now covered with a coating of sleet and ice. The limited amount of forage on hand, forced the Company Commanders to avail themselves of everything which would give the hungry horses a mouthful of subsistance, and every night the men were directed to lead their horses out to graze on the sparse supply of buffalo grass, which grew here and there in very limited patches.
On the night of the 18th we camped on Medicine Lodge Creek, and as rations were beginning to run low, the supply issued to the command was considerably diminished. In this camp occurred one of those unfortunate and unavoidable experiences, which frequently come to plainsmen with stock, and which defies human agency to quell or modify.
As usual, the command selected, and went into camp, in advance of the wagon train. The troops by battalion, forming a hollow square, inside of which the train was driven when it arrived. The several companies, in line on the
faces of the square, had just finished unsaddling, and some of them were starting out with their horses to have them graze on the short, dry buffalo grass, immediately in their company fronts. At this moment some of the advance company wagons had arrived and were swinging into their places, in the rear of their respective companies, to unload their rations and camp equipage. One six mule team, left for a moment by its driver, somewhere near the Northeast corner of the square, became frightened, and dashed away at full speed, diagonally across the square.
A bomb shell could not have caused greater consternation; the men yelled at the top of their voices, those in the line of the runaway team, hustled in every direction, an ungovernable and panic stricken mob. On came the flying mules and as they whirled up near the nearest company, the horses, of that command became unmanageable and snorting with fear, broke from the soldiers in charge of them and dashed wildly up the line, only to communicate the demoralization to the successive troops as they ran, helter
skelter, through the now disorganized and maniac camp, until in less time than it takes me to write these lines, the horses of the whole South and a part of the East side of the square were in a complete stampede, and dragging their lariats and picket pins, were galloping madly over the plains, the majority of them heading back over the trail we had followed into camp. Pandemonium itself could not present a picture of greater consternation, or excitement. Horses in hand kicking and jumping, those at liberty running and snorting, men yelling and scattering over the prairie, in vain endeavor to head off or catch the thoroughly frightened animals, while, the officers were trying with herculean effort and forean lungs to reduce the panic to some sort of order, and bring a rational act out of the chaotic mess. Finally something like, tranquility was restored and detachments from the companies which had lost no horses, were sent out in pursuit of the fugitive animals, but dispite the best endeavors, and several days hunt
but few of the stampeded horses were recovered by the command. The Indians, parties of buffalo hunters, and Capt. Jenning’s company of militia, stationed at Wichita secured the rest, and we have frequently heard of many a good farm horse belonging to the pioneer farmer of that section, with a suspicious bare spot on the left foreshoulder, where the U.S. brand had been “buried.” Three hundred horses were stampeded, and not to exceed a third of them were recovered. This was the first event, in the train of unfortunate circumstances that rendered abortive the high expectations formed of the Nineteenth Kansas Cavalry. The weather continued cold and disagreeable.
As Major Jenkins, had not joined the Reg’t up to this time Lt. Col. Moore, had been temporarilly in command of the 3d Battalion. Maj. Jenkins, however overtook the command in this camp and on the 19th Gen’l Order No. 8 was issued assigning him to the command of the 3d Bat. which he at once assumed.
The stampede, which had injured several men, delayed the Regiment in this camp one day and as we were still over
one hundred miles from our designated point of meeting with the regulars, and rations getting low, it formed an important turning point in our affairs.
Yet the time was not entirely wasted as several hunting parties were sent out after buffalo and several of them obtained a fair supply of fresh meat.
From the 19th to the 21st the command kept up its march over the high prairie, and through broken hills, slowly gaining ground. The weather was excessively cold, rations now all gone and officers and men alike depending on buffalo meat for subsistence and this scant supply, even we were forced to eat without salt and sometimes without cooking, but worse experience was to follow.
The night of the 21st began that noted snow storm of 1867, which continuing for several days and ending in a regular western blizzard, caused the experience of the 19th Kansas, for suffering and hunger, to be unparalleled, by that of any command, during the war of the rebellion.
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