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| Field name | Value |
|---|---|
| Collection Reference Number | GLC05201.003 |
| From Archive Folder | Letters of Army doctor under McCook, McKenzie & Miles re: Indian Wars |
| Title | Arthur Hartstuff to Alice Hartstuff discussing fighting "Indians" |
| Date | 8 July 1876 |
| Author | Hartsuff, Arthur (fl. 1870-1893) |
| Recipient | Hartstuff, Alice |
| Document Type | Correspondence |
| Content Description | re: 7/8, Hartsuff reports that General Crooks forces have not moved much since his letter of 6/28, but with the expected arrival of a train on 8/11 or 8/12 they expect to be under arm and on the march again. He also reports that "fighting Indians . . . is quite unlike fighting white men, for no prisoners are taken, there is no base and no rear" no way to take the wounded off the field and no quarter requested or given from an enemy that expertly exploits every weakness in their defenses. In this letter, Hartsuff begins to refer to the Sioux as "Red Devils" and expresses confidence that the only way they can be brought under control is to take the war "into their strongholds prepared to stay, and there not leave them soon." He also reports that the 300 Crows that had been with Gen. Crook's army had deserted them and wishes that more Crows or Snakes would join them on the march. 7/9, Hartsuff reports the details of a nearly fatal reconnaissance mission led by Lt. Silbey. On 7/7 Silbey's force was surrounded by Sitting Bull's men and nearly destroyed before they retreated into the hills and managed to mount a defense. Losing all their provisions and horses, Silbey's men were forced to make their way back to camp on foot, travelling by night and hiding by day. Hartsuff also reports that he is certain that the campaign will be a long one, but he would only be happy to see it end only "on the condition that the Indians are thoroughly whipped and subjugated". 7/10, Hartsuff reports the details of a midnight raid on Camp Cloud Peak by Sioux warriors who fired into the camp and set the prairie around it on fire. Hartsuff also reports on news of Custer's defeat at Little Big Horn the anxious expedition to bring General Crook and his hunting party back to camp, the position of Sitting Bull and "all his force" at Little Big Horn and the prospects for beating his army of 4,000 with a force less than half the size. 7/11 200 Snake join Gen. Crook's forces. |
| Subjects | American West Military History Health and Medical Soldier's Letter Westward Expansion American Indian History Railroad Weaponry Prisoner of War Injury or Wound Desertion Battle |
| People | Hartstuff, Arthur (fl. 1870-1893) Hartstuff, Alice (fl. 1870-1890) |
| Place written | Camp Cloud Peak, Bighorn Mountains, Montana |
| Theme | Westward Expansion |
| Sub-collection | The Gilder Lehrman Collection, 1860-1945 |
| Copyright | The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History |
| Module | Civil War, Reconstruction and the Modern Era: 1860-1945 |
| Civil War: Recipient Relationship | Wife |