From the Wide Missouri to the Pacific Shore: Rufus Ingall’s Report of the Steptoe Expedition

July 19, 2010

In 1854-55, an expedition of dragoon and artillery recruits, under the command of Major Steptoe, left Fort Leavenworth for the Pacific Coast. Steptoe carried with him orders to spend the winter in Salt Lake City and, while there, investigate the murder of Captain John Gunnison and his party. Capt. and Assistant Quartermaster Rufus Ingalls, a [...]

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Rare Stevenson Journal Paints An Enchanting City of Saints

July 19, 2010

James Stevenson, a recruit in Company A of the 1st Dragoons, served as a member of an army expedition that traveled to Salt Lake City in 1854. Twenty-five years later, he wrote of his observations. We descended the western slopes of the Rocky Mountains into the valley of the Green River, while the snowy peaks [...]

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What Flogging Was Like In 1854

July 9, 2010

From a 1854 entry in the previously unpublished journal of soldier James Stevenson, 1st Dragoons: That winter a court martial was convened at the barracks to try a number of deserters, who were under guard, with ball and chains attached to their ankles.  They are found guilty and sentenced to receive fifty lashes each upon [...]

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REPORT: Dragoon Expedition 1839

June 27, 2010

ARMY AND NAVY CHRONICLE, Vol. IX, No. 18, October 31, 1839 (Whole Number 263) DRAGOON EXPEDITION. Fort Leavenworth, Oct. 3, 1839. Mr. Editor: During that portion of the year in which the prairie grass will sustain horses, it has been customary at this post to detach squadrons or troops, monthly, on a march of reconnaissance [...]

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Sticking Up For the Force’s “Mormon Boys”

May 19, 2010

A letter, written by Dragoon Lieutenant Clarendon L. Wilson to Dr. Armistead Mott, of Leesburg, Virginia, was folded and sealed without an envelope, as was the custom of that period. Dr. Mott was the father of our present experienced and efficient military attache in Paris, Colonel T. Bentley Mott. Lieutenant Wilson graduated at West Point [...]

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Soldier’s Story of Those Who Deserted Ft. Tejon For Gold

April 29, 2010

From the journal of soldier William Antes: Arrived at Fort Tejon California on the 25th of June, 1855-we reached our destination-For Tejon, California. Here we encamped near company”A” first US Dragoons which we had come to join. In a few days we were joined to that company making it members 126 men. Our horses were [...]

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Santa Fe Captured

March 30, 2010

The steamer Little Missouri arrived last night from the Missouri.  An express had arrived at Fort Leavenworth, bringing the gratifying news of the entrance of General Kearney into Santa Fe, without the firing of a gun, or any opposition from the Mexicans whatever. It appears from our correspondent’s letter, that after leaving Fort Bent, most [...]

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Report of Company G at Taos and Embudo

March 29, 2010

Don Fernando De Taos, N. Mex., February 16, 1847. Colonel: I have the honor herewith to transmit the monthly return of the late Capt. J. H. K. Burgwin’s company (G, First Dragoons) for the month of January, 1847. I have signed the return myself, and in order to explain it beg leave to submit the [...]

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Army Drunk: “Long May You Live To Ride a Horse.”

March 10, 2010

Lt. Berry, 4th Infy, USMA 1841 to Lt. Love. It appears possible that while writing these letters Berry may have been drunk, stringing together his words, which have been separated here for ease of reading: Jefferson Barracks Mo Jan 18th 1843 My Dear John What with parties and every other thing of that kind I have [...]

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Carleton at Bitter Spring

February 28, 2010

Originally from Wild West (with John Gorenfeld) James Henry Carleton is generally remembered as the fanatically loyal Union officer who saved New Mexico Territory from the Confederates. Hell-bent on keeping the territory safe against an invasion from Confederate Texas, Carleton called on the men in his California Column to crack down on suspected Southern sympathizers. [...]

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