Indian Wars:  Diary of 1LT Frank Taylor - Starvation March

14th Infantry Frontier Posts & Assignments

The Diary of 1Lt. Frank Taylor, Commanding
Company I, Fourteenth Infantry
June 23 - September 12, 1876

The Great Sioux War of 1876-77, Bighorn and Yellowstone Expedition
Brigadier General George Crook, Commanding

"Starvation March"

[Preface: The diary as presented has been edited for the sake of brevity from source material credited at end of diary.  The parentheses at the end of each day denote the miles covered by the column on that day.  For a more thorough interpretation and reading of the diary, please refer to the conclusion at the end of the diary.  Many thanks to Mr. Jerome A. Greene of the US National Park Service for his contribution to the 14th Infantry’s historical record.   Lt. Taylor served with the Fourteenth Infantry for 31 years, from 1869 until 1900, rising to the rank of Captain in 1892.   He died in Seattle, Washington in 1920.  Thanks to Robert H. Wilson for collecting and preparing this material.]

June 23.  I was officer of the guard at Salt Lake City.  At about 5 pm rec’d orders to start for the field in command of my Co. I, 14th Infy & am in company of Cos. B C & F of our reg’t.

June 24.  Marched from Camp Douglas 5:45 am to depot in Salt Lake City & embarked on trains for Medicine Bow, Wyoming Territory (3 mi)

June 25.  Arrived at Medicine Bow 8 am where we joined Co. D 4th Infy under same orders as we.  Crossed the ‘Big Medicine’ by raft & went into camp. (1 mi)

June 26.  After crossing stores for Fetterman, wagons & c., marched to 1st crossing of ‘Little Medicine’, crossed stream and camped. (8 mi)

June 27.  Tuesday.  Left camp about 5 am  Marched to 3d crossing of Little Medicine.  This took us over the Laramie Plains which is nearly level road all the way and very good for wagons and marching.  After going into camp my tent was almost darkened by the grasshoppers on it. (22 mi)

June 28.  Left camp 4:30 am & marched to a point a little below the head of Box Elder Creek. (19 mi)

June 29.  Left camp at 4:40 am.  Marched to a point about 4 miles beyond the crossing of Box Elder creek on the "cut off".  I was officer of the day and in rear with wagons.  One wagon upset and had to be reloaded.  A team ran away off the road, two hind wheels of wagon coming off, bolster breaking and linch pins lost.  Teamster fell from his wagon his foot severely injured by wheel running over it.  Was delayed about 2 hours by these mishaps. (16 mi)

June 30.  Left camp 4:20 am in a drizzling rain which soon increased to a heavy shower and continued for about 4 hours.  Our overcoats being in the wagons which kept a long distance in rear on account of bad condition of roads, everybody got wet through.  Arrived at Ft. Fetterman at 12:15 PM.  Still raining.  Marched the distance with only 3 halts of short duration.  Mustered on right bank of Platte River by ferry boat and camped. (24 mi)

July 1.  Same camp.  Went over to Fort Fetterman to provide for future march.

July 2.  Same camp.  I was officer of the day & engaged all day superintending men unloading stores from ferry-boat for expedition.

July 3.  Same camp.  Last of stores ferried over.

July 4.  Marched to Sage Creek – very dusty. (10 mi)

July 5.  Left camp about 5:30 am.  Marched to Brown’s Springs. (17 mi)

July 6.  Left Camp 5 am.  Was rear guard with Comp’y & delayed fully three hours by bad places for wagons.  Crossed Cheyenne River (dry) about 3 pm after leaving last camp.  A very hot, dusty & disagreeable march.  Camped on fork of Cheyenne about 5 pm.  Water not plentiful and tolerably good.  Glimpses of Big Horn Mountains. (22 mi)

July 7.  Left camp 4 am.  Crossed dry bottom Wind River 1 ½ miles out.  It was a pleasant cloudy morning when we started but fearfully hot in mid day & afternoon.  In sight of Pumpkin Buttes nearly all day.  Camped at Antelope Springs.  Pool of water not very good. (22 mi)

July 8.  Left camp 4:45 am & marched to old Fort Reno on Powder River.  Pleasant day and easy march.  During the march were overtaken by scouts bearing dispatches to Gen’l Crook & bringing news of the massacre of Gen’l Custer & his command on the Little Bighorn. (17 mi)

July 9.  Left camp 4 am & marched to Crazy Woman’s Fork.  Heat moderate and no dust. (26 mi)

July 10.  Left camp 4:30 am.  Marched to Clear Fork Powder River. (22 mi)

July 11.  Left camp 5 am.  Marched to Little Piney Creek & camped near Old Fort Phil. Kearney.  Visited the Post graveyard which was in dilapidated condition.  Skull of Indian dead about three months found in vicinity. (15 mi)

July 12.  Left Camp 5 am.  Crossed Big Piney about ½ miles from last camp.  A large clear stream.  A series of bad crossings during this march greatly delaying train.  We had expected to get to Crook’s headquarters but on account of delays above mentioned went into camp at 7 pm on a small stream.  Grass burned off the bluffs which made us suspect the presence of Indians and rather to expect being fired at during the night. (12 mi)

July 13.  Left camp 6 am.  Bad places again for wagons and much delay in progress.  We reached Gen’l Crook’s camp on the fork of Goose Creek foot of Bighorn Mountains about 10:45 am.  Met many acquaintances among the officers. (6 mi)

July 14.  Same camp.  During the day Indian allies paraded in their savage splendor.

July 15.  Same camp.

July 16.  Gen’l Crook & staff, cavalry pack train and wagons left for new camp – for grass.

July 17.  Left camp about 7:30 am & marched to new camp on fork of Goose Creek. (4 mi)

July 18.  Same camp.

July 19.  Moved again for grass in n.w. direction.  4 Crow Indians came in near dusk with dispatches from Gen’l Terry. (3 mi)

July 20.  Same camp.

July 21.  Moved to camp on Middle Goose for grass. (4 mi)

July 22.  Same camp.

July 23.  Same camp.  False alarm at night, by firing of several shots, which turned out to be a disturbance between teamsters gambling.

July 24.  Same place.  Trial of Capt. Sutorius 3d Cav’y for drunkenness on duty began.

July 25.  Same place.  About 3 pm 4 Snake [Shoshone] Indians came in reporting some hostiles in vicinity of camp.  All the animals brought in promptly.  In the evening infantry pickets increased by two officers & 20 men.  Officers to stay with pickets all night.  Pelting rain all night.  All co. officers to be out at Reveille.

July 26.  Same place.  Was up at 4 am for Reveille.  Rain again in the evening.  Extra officers for picket discontinued.

July 27.  Moved camp in afternoon to fork of Tongue River. (5 mi)

July 28.  Same.

July 29.  Same.

July 30.  Moved about 1 ½ miles down same stream.  Prairie fire started by embers left at last camp & threatened to reach us.  About half command turned out to extinguish flames. (1 mi)

July 31.  Same place.

Aug 1.  Moved to another fork of Tongue River (Northerly direction).  Creek here flows into a larger one at this point.  Larger one said to be Tongue River. (5 mi)

Aug 2.  Same place.

Aug 3.  At last intelligence of the arrival of the 5th Cav’y on Goose Creek, for which we have been waiting for the beginning active operations has reached us and we march back to meet it.  After a march of about 17 mi to the confluence of the Little & Big Goose creeks went into camp.  The 5th Cav’y soon after got to same place.  Sick today and rode most of distance in ambulance. (17 mi)

Aug 4.  Same place.  Orders to be in readiness to move tomorrow.  Nobody allowed to carry more than one blanket and an overcoat.  8 recruits joined co.  Sent to us with 5th Cav’y.

Aug 5.  Marched across to Tongue River to near scene of attack on Crook after Rosebud fight in June last.  Today begins the real hard work and hardships of the campaign as we have left our wagon train and our transportation consists of some 300 or 400 pack mules carrying 15 days rations of bacon, sugar, coffee & hardtack.  We have not a stitch of canvas and are entirely at the mercy of the weather.  This is my first night in a ‘wicky up’, a sort of cover of twigs and leaves.  Slept very comfortably though rather cold towards morning. (17 mi)

Aug 6.  Marched down Tongue River, crossing stream 12 times.  A hard march, the men compelled to wade with shoes & stockings on.  Stream rapid and deep – to the hip mostly.  Direction northerly.  No time nor energy for a wicky up tonight. (17 mi)

Aug 7.  Marched to Rosebud.  Started 4:30 am.  Bivouacked 3:45 pm.  A hard march.  Very hot day. (22 mi)

Aug 8.  Broke camp at 5:45 am & marched down Rosebud about 4 miles when we were ordered to stack arms & bivouac.  Nearly all this distance was through the remains of an old Indian village.  Broke camp again at 6 pm & continued the march on the Indian trail till about midnight, then camped.  Slept soundly on the rocks. (19 mi)

Aug 9.  Broke camp 7 am.  Continued down Rosebud on Indian trail & camped 1:30 pm.  Rain and very cold.  Overcoats & fires in great requisition. (14 mi)

Aug 10.  Broke camp 5 am & followed same trail down Rosebud.  After about 12 miles of march Gen’l Terry’s command was reported in sight & we went into Camp.  Trail there turned to the right towards Tongue River. (12 mi)

Aug 11.  Marched to Tongue River, crossed it & marched about ½ mile down stream following trail.  Began to rain at night and continued all through it.  Very wet clothes in consequence. (12 mi)

Aug 12.  Late start on account of looking up trail.  Began march down stream about 11:45 am.  Rain through the whole march and all through the night.  Clubbed in with Capt. Tobey, Lts Yeatman & Calhoun & fastened some blankets to a tree for shelter.  I slept in my overcoat with my feet to the camp fire till about 1 o’clock in the morning when I could not bear it any longer and got up and dried myself as well as possible before the camp fire. (10 mi)

Aug 13.  Marched down Tongue River fully 25 miles.  Weather clear at starting (about 5 am) and clear when we halted for the night but heavy rain for short time during night.  On this day I stumbled while crossing a creek on a wet log and fell in. (25 mi)

Aug 14.  Marched down Tongue River about 9 miles, then struck off to the left & camped on a small fork of the stream.  Rain at night. (15 mi)

Aug 15.  Marched about 20 miles to Powder River.  Camped at 3 pm.  Heavy rain for ½ hour after camping, but cleared up towards sundown.  Cavalry horses playing out today.  Heard that 17 horses were lost yesterday and eight today. (20 mi)

Aug 16.  Marched down Powder River about 19 miles.  Camp about 1:30 pm.  Tremendous shower shortly after entering camping ground. (19 mi)

Aug 17.  Marched across divide to mouth of Powder River.  Infantry much incensed at Comd’g Offr (commanding officer) marching us 3 or 4 miles further than necessary in endeavors to make short cuts. (24 mi)

Aug 18.  Same place.  Went across the river to Gen’l Terry’s coms’y [commissary] to try to get some change of food, but succeeded only in obtaining a small piece of cheese and a few beans.  Left my pocket book in coms’y tent with all my money in it.  Was gone about ½ an hour before missing it but fortunately found it where I had laid it.

Aug 19.  Same place.  Heard that last night Gen’l Crook proposed to move but that Gen’l Terry had assumed command and determined otherwise.

Aug 20.  Same.

Aug 21.  Same.

Aug 22.  Same.  Rain for ½ hour in the evening.

Aug 23.  Same.  Rained in afternoon, ceased for a while but began to pour down in torrents at sunset & continued all night with thunder and lightning.  Men without rations at breakfast.

Aug 24.  No rations had come up so most of the men without breakfast.  Marched through mud & mire up left bank of Powder River about 9 miles.  Cleared up towards noon.  No rain, but heavy dew at night. (9 mi)

Aug 25.  Crossed Powder River which was very rapid & deep, some of the infantry unable to cross on foot and had to be ferried over on horseback, others hanging to stirrups & horses’ tails.  Marched over divide & camped on right bank.  Fine night and good night’s rest. (13 mi)

Aug 26.  Started about 6 am & marched in easterly direction 20 miles to branch of O’Fallon’s Creek.  Very poor camp.  No wood.  Water in pools & only tolerable.  Capt. Burke of our reg’t taken with rheumatism & had to be mounted.  Fine weather. (20 mi)

Aug 27.  Marched easterly.  Crossed north branch of O’Fallon’s Creek about 10 miles, then creek 3 miles further & camped at some water pools.  Fine weather.

Aug 28.  Marched easterly about 19 miles to small stream supposed to lead into Cabin Creek.  Clouds threatening all afternoon, finally broke loose with a deluge of rain & large hailstones with thunder & lightning continuing nearly all night.  Rain kept out from top of wicky up but soon found it was underneath & I was lying in a pool of water.  Blanket & everything soaked through.  Green coffee issued to men about time of rain & could not light fires to roast it, so no coffee. (19 mi)

Aug 29.  Left at 6 am in an easterly direction.  Crossed small stream about 4 miles & marched 3 miles further, when suddenly & unexpectedly ordered to camp near some high grassy bluffs.  It is supposed that some new developments in regard to trail is cause.  Scouts out all night.  Fine night & good sleep. (7 mi)

Aug 30.  Same place.  Today officers ordered to have their rations issued to them same as the men.

Aug 31.  Marched at 5 am about 10 miles to Beaver Creek.  Frost at night. (10 mi)

Sep 1.  Marched in a northerly direction about 9 am & re-crossed same creek.  Mounted horse as usual in crossing.  Horse got mired climbing up bank & fell on his back in the stream giving me a complete ducking.  Cut horse’s girth & got him out without difficulty – all my rations spoiled.  Had to cover myself with a blanket & dry all my clothes by the camp fire. (9 mi)

Sep 2.  Marched northerly about 18 miles on same creek.  Crossed again to right bank & camped.  Crossed Stanley’s old trail during march. (18 mi)

Sep 3.  Marched south-easterly 18 miles & camped at some water holes.  Crossed Sully’s Trail.  Rations beginning to run short.  Tried for a little extra sugar and was allowed one pound. (18 mi)

Sep 4.  Marched across divide on an old wagon trail most of the way & camped on the east side of Little Missouri River.  Rain during march and all night. (15 mi)

Sep 5.  Marched in north easterly direction over a good wagon road about 26 miles & camped at 4:30 pm.  Here is to be determined which route will be taken – Fort Lincoln or the Black Hills.  We are at the head of Heart River with a supply of rations on hand said to be sufficient for the command for four days.  We are 250 m. from Blk. Hills.  I don’t know exactly how far from Fort Lincoln, but it is generally understood to be but half that distance.  Orders tonight for officers and men to be put on half rations. (26 mi)

Sep 6.  Bound for Black Hills.  Start about 5 am due south and march 27 miles to some water holes.  During the day permission for a certain number of men from each Co. given to leave the column to hunt game.  One of my men killed an antelope.  Mouth watering for a good supper when we camp, but find absolutely nothing to make fire except grass.  Try to make cup of coffee with that but fail.  No bacon issued tonight but having saved a little take it raw with a cup of water & a biscuit & turn in under a slight rain.  No material for wicky up tonight and too tired to make one if we had. (27 mi)

Sep 7.  Up at 4:30 am.  Heavy mist – everything wet.  Had succeeded night before by great patience in finding a small bunch of dry weeds which I saved under my head till this morning and with which I succeeded in getting a cup of coffee (had my bacon raw with hard tack).  Marched 30 m.  Slept badly, cold with rain.  No shelter, no wood.  In the morning ¾ of cracker box was issued me for the use of my Com’y to cook with!  I succeeded in getting half a cup of coffee in the evening & a full one in the morning, with a piece of antelope each time.  Capt. Mills 3d Cav’y & 2 officers & 150 picked cavalry start for Deadwood with pack train to get supplies.  Several horses partly carved & eaten by troops lying on the road-side.  Piece of bacon size of hen’s egg issued to each officer & soldier.  No sugar. (30 mi)

Sep 8.  Started off in same direction (due south) as near as we could judge without sun.  Rain fell nearly all the morning, wetting everybody through and through.  Marched 25 m.  No bacon.  No sugar issued.  Horse meat issued.  Rode about 1 ½ miles during heaviest rain.  Camped on a small stream where there was wood and I made a shelter for the night – a rainy and uncomfortable one. (25 mi)

Sep 9.  Left at 5:10 am.  Crossed wide stream about 4 miles out.  About 2 hrs after starting we met a small party returning from Capt. Mills & reporting capture by Mills party of 25 Indian lodges.  Marched in all about 16 miles in Mills’ trail & arrived at Slim Buttes, scene of fight.  We found the Indian village from which the Indians had been driven.  Mills’ command on one side of it, the Indians on the another, both in position to prevent either from taken possession.  Indians withdrew upon the arrival of the main column upon the scene and the soldiers swarm into the village found a large quantity of dried meat and some wild fruit which had just been prepared for drying.  The Com’y of Subsistence takes charge of the meat, not however till a lot of it had been appropriated for immediate use.  Found that during the charge in the morning Lt. Von Ludwitz and 5 men had been wounded.  110 Indian ponies captured.  Some Indians who had not been able to get away with the rest were in a ravine hidden from view.  We finally discovered this by one of the soldiers having been shot dead by them.  Soon after that one of the scouts sauntering about carelessly was shot through the heart.  After a great deal of trouble, these Indians were induced to come out of their hole when it was found that one Indian man, 2 women and one child had been killed during the attempt to dislodge them.  Another Indian, ‘American Horse’, fatally wounded in the bowels died the same night.  2 men and 2 women came out of the hole alive and were taken along with the command.  We found one little Indian boy who had been left behind in the confusion.  He was rolled up in some buffalo robes asleep – was badly frightened when we disturbed him.  The Indians made show of attack from the neighboring hills just before sundown.  The infantry soon deployed as skirmishers & Indians kept at respectful distance.  My Co. & some others were deployed again before daybreak in hopes of meeting the foe, but we only saw them out of range.  Rations ¼ lb. Indian beef, 2 crackers & small portion of coffee. Lt. Ludwitz’ [Luettwitz’s] leg amputated above the knee. (16 mi)

Sep 10.  Skirmish line at 3:45 am.  Breakfasted on dried beef & coffee, saving only two crackers for supper in the evening.  Had buffalo robes from Indian camp & slept very warm.  Camped on small creek. (13 mi)

Sep 11.  Marched to Owl Creek 25 m. Rode 3 m. Same breakfast as yesterday.  Chanced to buy a small piece of antelope from one of the scouts and having saved 6 crackers during time when 7 were issued daily treated myself to two of them and had a feast.  Stewed antelope with wild onions.  Issued to us for tomorrow – horse meat & 2 tablespoons beans. (25 mi)

Sep 12.  To Willow Creek 36 m.  This was the hardest day of the campaign.  Rained most of the day, the infantry following the muddy trail of the cavalry ahead of us.  Cleared up for a short time about noon but rained again before sunset.  We plod along in darkness and mud till near 12 o’clock at night, almost in despair, discipline at an end, men cursing & growling thus till we at length see the camp fires of the cavalry troops who have been in ahead of us some hours.  Confusion reigns in camp.  The poor Inf’y are taken a mile away from this meager store.  Blankets – some find them, others do not.  The wounded howling with pain & in constant dread of being trodden on in the darkness.  Rain and no shelter.  Managed to get a little piece of antelope and a cracker for supper and turned in under the black canopy of Heaven.  When we reached camp this night it was without more than ten percent of the infantry present, the rest fallen out of ranks and lain down on the side of the trail. (36 mi)


Diary Pvt. William W. Jordan


This concludes Lt. Taylor’s diary as edited by Jerome A. Greene, a renowned Historian with the United States National Park Service, and published by the Nebraska State Historical Society at http://nebraskahistory.org/ through its magazine, "Nebraska History".

Reference is made to "Nebraska History, Winter 1997 Vol. 78, No. 4 edition".

The Alumni of the 14th Infantry would like to express their grateful appreciation to Mr. James E. Potter, Editor of "Nebraska History", for making Lt. Taylor’s diary available to them. RHW



Acknowledgements:
Indian Wars:  The Diary of 1Lt Frank Taylor
Copyright © 2012  14th Infantry Regiment Association
Last modified: July 25, 2024