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a 〃Norther；〃 or ； 〃blizzard；〃 as storms on the Plains are now termed
struck us in the night。 During the continuance of these blizzards；
which is usually about three days； the cold wind sweeps over the
Plains with great force； and； in the latitude of the Indian
Territory； is weighted with great quantities of sleet and snow；
through which it is often impossible to travel； indeed； these
〃Northers〃 have many times proved fatal to the unprotected
frontiersman。 With our numbers the chance of any one's being lost；
and perishing alone （one of the most common dangers in a blizzard）；
was avoided； but under any circumstances such a storm could but
occasion intense suffering to all exposed to it； hence it would have
been well to remain in camp till the gale was over； but the time
could not be spared。 We therefore resumed the march at an early hour
next morning； with the expectation of making the south bank of the
main Canathan and there passing the night； as Clark assured me that
timber was plentiful on that side of the river。 The storm greatly
impeded us； however； many of the mules growing discouraged； and some
giving out entirely； so we could not get to Clark's 〃good camp；〃 for
with ten hours of utmost effort only about half a day's distance
could be covered； when at last； finding the struggle useless； we were
forced to halt for the night in a bleak bottom on the north bank of
the river。 But no one could sleep； for the wind swept over us with
unobstructed fury； and the only fuel to be had was a few green
bushes。 As night fell a decided change of temperature added much to
our misery； the mercury； which had risen when the 〃Norther〃 began；
again falling to zero。 It can be easily imagined that under such
circumstances the condition of the men was one of extreme discomfort；
in truth； they had to tramp up and down the camp all night long to
keep from freezing。 Anything was a relief to this state of things；
so at the first streak of day we quit the dreadful place and took up
the march。
A seemingly good point for crossing the Canadian was found a couple
of miles down the stream； where we hoped to get our train over on the
ice； but an experiment proving that it was not strong enough； a ford
had to be made； which was done by marching some of the cavalry
through the river； which was about half a mile wide； to break up the
large floes when they had been cut loose with axes。 After much hard
work a passage…way was thus opened； and by noon the command was
crossed to the south bank； and after thawing out and drying our
clothes before big fires； we headed for a point on the Washita； where
Clark said there was plenty of wood； and good water too； to make us
comfortable till the blizzard had blown over。
We reached the valley of the Washita a little before dark； and camped
some five or six miles above the scene of Custer's fight； where I
concluded to remain at least a day； to rest the command and give it a
chance to refit。 In the mean time I visited the battle…field in
company with Custer and several other officers； to see if there was a
possibility of discovering any traces of Elliotts party。 On arriving
at the site of the village； and learning from Custer what
dispositions had been made in approaching for the attack； the
squadron of the escort was deployed and pushed across the river at
the point where Elliott had crossed。 Moving directly to the south；
we had not gone far before we struck his trail； and soon the whole
story was made plain by our finding； on an open level space about two
miles from the destroyed village； the dead and frozen bodies of the
entire party。 The poor fellows were all lying within a circle not
more than fifteen or twenty paces in diameter； and the little piles
of empty cartridge shells near each body showed plainly that every
man had made a brave fight。 None were scalped； but most of them were
otherwise horribly mutilated； which fiendish work is usually done by
the squaws。 All had been stripped of their clothing； but their
comrades in the escort were able to identify the bodies； which being
done； we gave them decent burial。 Their fate was one that has
overtaken many of our gallant army in their efforts to protect the
frontiersmen's homes and families from savages who give no quarter；
though they have often received it； and where the possibility of
defeat in action carries with it the certainty of death and often of
preceding torture。
》From the meadow where Elliott was found we rode to the Washita； and
then down the river through the sites of the abandoned villages； that
had been strung along almost continuously for about twelve miles in
the timber skirting the stream。 On every hand appeared ample
evidence that the Indians had intended to spend the winter here； for
the ground was littered with jerked meat； bales of buffalo robes；
cooking utensils； and all sorts of plunder usually accumulated in a
permanent Indian camp。 There were； also； lying dead near the
villages hundreds of ponies； that had been shot to keep them from
falling into our hands； the scant grazing and extreme cold having
made them too weak to be driven along in the flight。 The wholesale
slaughter of these ponies was a most cheering indication that our
campaign would be ultimately successful； and we all prayed for at
least a couple of months more of cold weather and plenty of snow。
At the Kiowa village we found the body of a white womana Mrs。
Blynnand also that of her child。 These captives had been taken by
the Kiowas near Fort Lyon the previous summer； and kept close
prisoners until the stampede began； the poor woman being reserved to
gratify the brutal lust of the chief； Satanta； then； however； Indian
vengeance demanded the murder of the poor creatures； and after
braining the little child against a tree； the mother was shot through
the forehead； the weapon； which no doubt brought her welcome release；
having been fired so close that the powder had horribly disfigured
her face。 The two bodies were wrapped in blankets and taken to camp；
and afterward carried along in our march； till finally they were
decently interred at Fort Arbuckle。。
At an early hour on December 12 the command pulled out from its cosy
camp and pushed down the valley of the Washita； following immediately
on the Indian trail which led in the direction of Fort Cobb； but
before going far it was found that the many deep ravines and canyons
on this trail would delay our train very much； so we moved out of the
valley and took the level prairie on the divide。 Here the traveling
was good； and a rapid gait was kept up till mid…day； when； another
storm of sleet and snow coming on； it became extremely difficult for
the guides to make out the proper course； and fearing that we might
get lost or caught on the open plain without wood or wateras we had
been on the CanadianI turned the command back to the valley；
resolved to try no more shortcuts involving the risk of a disaster to
the expedition。 But to get back was no slight task； for a dense fog
just now enveloped us； obscuring all landmarks。 However； we were
headed right when the fog set in； and we had the good luck to reach
the valley before night…fall； though there was a great deal of
floundering about； and also much disputing among the guides as to
where the river would be found Fortunately we struck the stream right
at a large grove of timber； and established ourselves； admirably。 By
dark the ground was covered with twelve or fifteen inches of fresh
snow； and as usual the temperature rose very sensibly while the storm
was on； but after night…fall the snow ceased and the skies cleared
up。 Daylight having brought zero weather again； our start on the
morning of the 17th was painful work； many of the men freezing their
fingers while handling the horse equipments； harness； and tents。
However； we got off in fairly good season； and kept to the trail
along the Washita notwithstanding the frequent digging and bridging
necessary to get the wagons over ravines。
Continuing on this line for three days； we at length came to a point
on the Washita where all signs indicated that we were nearing some of
the villages。 Wishing to strike them as soon as possible； we made a
very early start next morning； the 17th。 A march of four or five
miles brought us to a difficult ravine； and while we were making
preparations to get over； word was brought that several Indians had
appeared in our front bearing a white flag and making signs that they
had a communication to deliver。 We signaled back that they would be
received； when one of the party came forward alone and delivered a
letter； which proved to be from General Hazen； at Fort Cobb。 The
letter showed that Hazen was carrying on negotiations with the
Indians； and stated that all the tribes between Fort Cobb and my
column were friendly ； but the intimation was given that the
Cheyennes and Arapah