August 11, 1864.
REPORTS.
No. 1.-Major Edward W. Wynkoop, First Colorado Cavalry.
Report of Major Edward W. Wynkoop, First Colorado Cavalry.
FORT LYON, COLO. TER., August 13, 1864.
having arrived from Camp Wynkoop, I left them to garrison the post and followed in person with a section of the battery, Lieutenant Hardin, and a small detachment of cavalry, Captain Soule. I was accompanied by Captain Robbins, chief of cavalry. It was very dark when I left the post, and I had gone but a few miles when a thunder-shower arose, making it impossible to know with any certainty what direction I was proceeding. I still kept on, and after a march of over six hours succeeded in finding Sand Creek; there halting the command I sent out scouts and remained until daybreak. On account of having been thrown considerably out of my course by the storm, I was unable to find either Lieutenant Cramer or the whereabouts of the Indians. The Indians are supposed to be Kiowas. There is a probability that they are Arapahos. At all events, it is my intention to kill all Indians I may come across until I receive orders to the contrary from headquarters. Just as I was about leaving the post with the above-mentioned command two men were driven in by the Indians who were proceeding up the river. I have received official intelligence to the effect that thirty men of Company A, First Cavalry of Colorado, have had a fight with a large body of Indians, near the crossing of the Arkansas, and lost all their horses. A few days before that two men of Company A were murdered while out alone; two men of Company E while at Camp Wynkoop are supposed also to have been murdered. I desire also to report the fact that the carbines with which our regiment is armed are absolutely worthless, it being impossible to discharge over two-thirds of them. I am obliged to depend almost altogether on the pistol and saber, and you are aware that a large number of the men are without pistols. I have no doubt that the post was surrounded by Indians for the purpose of endeavoring to run off my herds, but so far I have entirely baffled, not having lost a single head. I will continue to remain as vigilant as possible.
Report of Lieutenant Joseph A. Cramer, First Colorado Cavalry.
FORT LYON, COLO. TER., August 12, 1864.
men had joined us we advanced, driving them and following them four miles, in which it was a running fight, resulting in wounding four Indians and capturing one pony, with no loss on our side. I here sent back a messenger to report the facts to you, and ask for instructions. We were then twenty-five miles from the post; all of our horses given out. After a rest of a few moments we went over on Sand Creek for water, which we found in abundance; then followed on for twenty miles farther, but were unable to get nearer than three quarters of a mile of them. Our horses all gave out but three. Went into camp on Sand Creek at an Indian crossing, where from 100 to 150 had crossed but an hour or two before we arrived, their trail leading southeast. At 10 at night there came up a very heavy rain-storm spoiling all our ammunition, thereby obliging us to start for the post, where we arrived a little after sunrise on the 12th, traveling a distance of ninety miles.
Report of Lieutenant Horace W. Baldwin, Independent Battery Colorado Light Artillery, commanding detachment First Colorado Cavalry.
FORT LYON, COLO. TER., August 12, 1864.
report again for orders. My men were in the saddle about eighteen hours and rode within that time sixty-five miles. I arrived at this post about one hour before daylight August 12, 1864.
Report of Lieutenant Ira Quinby, First Colorado Cavalry. FORT LYON, COLO. TER., August 12, 1864.
SIR: Agreeable to Special Orders, Numbers 169, dated Fort Lyon, Colo. Ter., August 11, ordering me with twenty men of Company K, First Cavalry of Colorado, to re-enforce Lieutenant Cramer, I left this post at 7.30 p. m. the 11th and proceeded as I supposed in the direction he had taken, but owing to the darkness of the night I lost my way, and after wandering about until nearly midnight I camped until morning, then started in the direction I supposed he had gone. After traveling about fifteen miles I struck his trail returning to this post, upon which I immediately returned. I did not see any Indians on the trip.
Source: United States. War Dept., United States. Record and Pension Office., United States. War Records Office., et al., "Price's Missouri Expedition," The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies. Published Under the Direction of The Hon. Daniel S. Lamont, Secretary of War, By Major George B. Davis, U. S. A., Mr. Leslie J. Perry, Mr. Joseph W. Kirkley, Board of Publication. Series I - Volume XLI - In Four Parts. Part I-Reports. Washington: Government Printing Office. 1893. pp. 237-240.
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