Robert Parks' 1st Cherokee Regiment Day Book

Jan 1st to Jan 31st, 1863 entries

Thursday Jan 1st 1863
Broke up Camp bright and early past Tom Starr and Joe Cribbs place, every cabin and home was [crowded] with men, begging bread from our Command. Meets with Capt Howland near Cribbs place and he reported our train Just behind him so we moved on to a prairie near by where we found very good country.
Friday Jan 2nd
Dispatch from Genl Cooper by Major J M Bryan. Place Genl Cooper on Cole Creek or Boggy Depot road and Col Watie to hold a position at some point in the Cherokee Nation and he will move on to _________ and have him plenty of supplies forwarded to Capt Johnson for the Creeks, Cherokees, Seminoles, ________ & c and placed them all under the command of Col Watie
Saturday 3rd I returnd from Starrs found Col on a Scout to Webbers Falls and Major Thompson on furlough to Texas and great many of our men Scouted in every direction Some for 60 days and others for 90. I did not stop the giving of any passes or furlough that was given in accordance with Col Waties guard rule Bought a truck very old and worn, only a shell, for the small amount of 10.00 Dol

Camp Near Joe Cribbs
Jan. 4th 1863 Canadian Senetry
1st Cherokee Regiment

Col
Your note of this date has just been received, And in reply I have only to say that I shall hold myself and command in readyness and should your Scouts make any further discovery of Federal forces occupying a position in that Quarter you will dispatch to us immediately giving us the full particulars as to who they may be, and the probable strength of each force Col Watie at this time is upon a Scout up towards Webbers Falls. We are looking for him in Camps this eavning
We have nothing late from below and from the best information we can git there is no forces of any strength now in the Cherokee Nation
Your Obt Servt
R C Parks Lt Col
Comdg Camp on Canadian River

Col McIntosh
Comdg 2nd Creek Regiment, C V

We received dispatch from Col Chilly - McIntosh stating that reliable information had reached him of a force of Federal has been seen near John Seills Place on Deep Fork marching down in the direction of Shealy Store. He could learn nothing as to the strength of the forces. He sends forward an advance and designs following directly with his main force and proposes dispatching us in case anything of a threatening nature is discovered. His express man return and carries back the above reply - Gits five bushel corn whitch has been divided among the men at one ear to each man
We had no further news - from no Quarter remained in Camps without flour, meat, or any forage of any description, not even dry goods - Our stock appears failing fast. Mules so weak that they can hardly draw the empty wagon

Camp Near Joe Cribbs Place
Jan 5th 1863 Monday
Received commission from the Principal and Assistant Principal Chives of the Creek Nation Addresst to Col Stand Watie respecting our movements and that of Maj Gen Hindmans and that of Brig Gen D H Cooper. Col Watie not being present, I rote an answer as I thought suitable to the occasion No farther New from below a Col Watie

Tuesday Jan 6th 1863
Remained encampt our boys returned from Ft Washitaw where they had been sent to draw off pay rolls. No news of any importance Col Watie gits in from Scout Webbers Falls led his men up there or in the neighborhood of Gibson

Wednesday Jan 7th 1863
Col Watie was this morning besieged from all quarter for furloughs and that to all parts of the country Not even the Federal line is excepted He concludes to go below and see his family leaves Camp about 10 O' clock, We harnessed our poor stock and began moving our encampment Leut Walker Carry had a Camp Guard [Chase] bove on the river, we found it very [brushy] and upon low land, but fair superior to our present locality. We found cane and some [sudan] grass plenty of wood & water I forwarded by Col Watie [Arsen Bey] report of the killing of Brooks the Notorious Kansas Jayhawker, I trouble myself to have it written down new for my own satisfaction and to Settle every different opinions that might hereafter arise as to who kill Brooks

Thursday Jan 8th
We sends down our weekly report - we did not know where he was, we only sent it down the road towards Boggy Depot. I wrote down to Genl Cooper the following note
Genl D H Cooper Dear Sir
I would be glad you could have something done for us in regard to defraying our express expenses I have used every dollar I had and all I could git for that purpose We have [never] yet received anything of the kind from the QM Department ours has made several application for such but as yet have received no notice Could you not have us furnished from the department I would be glad he could to me something upon my old service rendered and we will still continue to go it upon our own hook Very Truly Your
Obt Sevt
R C Parks Lt Col
Comdg Che Regt

Received dispatch for Capt J W Wells Genl Cooper No news - only his advance back toward Camp Johnson on Canadian and request us to fall back to same point on the Arkansas River

Col Chilly McIntosh
I have just come in possession of dispatches from Genl D H Cooper giving me to understand that a part of his forces are now on their way to Camp Johnson Depot where they will be posted probilly for the winter He has no official news from Genl Hindman
We have a man now in our Camps Just up from Ft Smith and Van Buren, leaving those points yesterday morning, he reports everything quite there Reports there are very current that the Federal forces left Cane Hill and remained in Fayetteville only 2 days and left there in the direction of Springfield, Mo. Another person Just up from Little Rock reports a later great victory gained by Genl Price over the Federal forces at Hollysprings near Vicksburg, where Price gained a desided victory killing and capturing a great number of men, arms, and clothing, together with some 18 pieces cannon. Reports he states are current in that Quarter of Genl Joe Johnson defeating the Federal force at [Murphersboro] Tennessee, and that the Federal army are now receeding north generally east of the Mississippi River whitch if true would readily ____ for the Federal forces falling back upon Springfield We learn through the same channel that the Pin Indians with a few Federal are yet around and in the vicinity of Evansville Ark Col Stand Watie is now gon down to Genl Cooper and will be absent some 7 or 8 days -
Yours & Truly
R C Parks Lt Col
Comdg Che Regt

Friday 9th 1863
Man came in from Kansas - being from Pikes Peak and while on his way down the Arkansas river, he was taken prisoner and carried to Ft Wise, robbed and disarmed left without everything to carry him further. him and his m____ were compelled to work for some time. New Years day the two left Council Grove and made our Settlement a very few days ago on Grand River, near the Grand Salina Report no Indians near our [hill] Some Keeche eyes were said to be encampt near our Settle ment on Verdigris River. But few forces are said to be in Kansas, there immediately in and around Ft Scott. He thinks from what information he could gain from the Kansas people that they would be pleased with a peace and would willingly accede to the demands of the South I give them a [pass] for Ft Smith. One being a Georgian and the other from Yell County Ark and wishing to git in that direction. 3 men came in from the Neutral land or near the line, Kincade and 2 others bringing but little news - saw no person from the Neosho River to Gibson Report that the Keeche eyes having murdered the family of Wm Ricker sometime ago on Cabbin Creek, his wife and four children, The report the Keeche eyes still in that vicinity running up and down those creeks

Hd Quarter 1st Che Regt
Camp near CribbsJan 11th 1863
Genl D H Cooper
Sir Three men of our Regt of Co O has just come in from Neutral land along the Kansas line. Some of them have been absent for some length of time and has been engaged for some time in the Bushwhack [business] - reports being near and saw Elk Mills burnt and knew of the Steam Mill in Buffalo as being burnt also - report the woods along South west Missouri as being deeply sprinkled with Bushwhackers who are doing remarkable good business for their opportunity The union families are moving from the border of the [Nation] and south Missouri 11th JanKinKades Report I had been attending on a wounded man, A Gibson, who had been wound by the river men in missouri when the Federal came down upon Ft Wayne I run him South to Dutch Mills From there Maj Livingston sends me to Ft Smith with dispatches the ferryman refused to set me on the river that night. I left the dispatch there and returned by same rout to Maysville and on to where my family were living at the mouth of Shoal Creek on Springriver where I remained undisturbed about one month. No Federal ever visited that country as near all the citizens remaining there was Union men The Kee-che eyes and Delaware came in and killed several persons and robbed and mistreated many. Old man Hewett on Shoal Creek was killed and Scalped, strong Union, Widow-Nickels daughter was caught ravished by members and otherwise [mistreated] Several times stabbed about the breast and left for dead for two days she lay before being found, A scalp had been cut from her head. When I left she was doing very well and considered out of danger. On my way down I saw Isaac Scrimpshers widdow who tells Me that a party of Delawares and Keeche eyes had come down upon Cabin Creek in their Settlement and killed Isaac Scrimpsher a man by the name Jackson. William Ricker our chief Buglers wife and two children, one 5 years and the other 18 months old Scalping and mangling their bodies and drove off all the property in that country.
I learned that the Pin Indian were now encampt near Neosho Mo - and were committing depredations of every [despicable] nature upon the citizens both Southern & Union
Capt Pearce attacked a party of Pins near that place and defeated them Was himself wounded by a shot in the shoulder and one of his men was shot in the back, both are doing well but have to keep themselves concealed in the bush. Many of our men are Bushwhaking them and doing considerable mischief to the savage force. The State Militia are supposed to be taking an active part in [settling] their hash in that way.
I learned also on my way down that a portion of Pins ventured by night into the neighborhood of Maysville, killing old man Ward and his son near that point.

10th Jan
Mr. Langes Report, I left Colorado,(Pikes Peak),in company with 3 others determined to make my way into the Southern States at all risk (being a Georgian) first attempt was through New Mexico failing in that we turned our course down the Arkansas River. Had no difficulty in getting down as far as Ft Wise below Bents old Fort where we were taken prisoner by the occupants of the Fort two of our party were kept being known as [main] friend to the Southern cause at Pikes Peak.
Myself and Mr Fultcher were robed of all we had in this world and released. We worked our way down the river and out to Council Grove where we were compelled to hire out and work for means to carry us further. While here we heard of James Vann and other Cherokees being in a small town some 60 miles distant Mr. Fulcher having some acquaintance with Vann we borrowed 2 horses and roade over to see him. found him drunk and still drinking, claiming to have went up there to save his property, but nevertheless was robed Karuth the Fed Indian Agent were there for whitch Karuth were Acting Agent. Saw a partie of Delaware drive in some 300 head of cattle whitch they said were taken from the Creek nation
Haruth received the cattle of the Delaware A Delaware Chief whom I know but disremember his name now, came up with a party of Delawares from the South [bringing] some seven or eight scalps and among the rest I saw one childs scalp I noticed it particularly from the fact of it being of white hair. I believe some to have been from women, they danced over there. I learned here that the Cherokee families were at [Sevier Town] further north. I saw mothers that we know, Fulcher knew Vann, and we made the acquaintance through him of Karuth and wanting business we [perceived an order] from Mr. Vann. Signed by Karuth for myself and Mr Fulcher to gather up Mr Vanns stock. January 1st We struck out upon that business Southeast Mr Fulcher having some idea of the country. We saw plenty of those wild Indians, we would show our paper and pass on. Struck the Verdigris a few miles above the Coody Settlement here three Keeche eyes came to us, we showed our paper and told them we were hunting stock. They told us they were Campt near by and that there was a great many bad people just below pointing toward Gibson and the Creek Nation. Rested one day at Mrs. McNairs grand river. Crost at Gibson, heard of Waties Regt on Canadian. Made for it. The borrowed horses we sold to [Dennis] Fuller 3 miles below Waties Camp. Next day left for Yell County Ark where Mr Fulcher has a brother living
Sunday Jan 12th 1863
Genl D H Cooper
Dear Sir
I have taken down the particulars of Mr. Kincades observations while out and in the vicinity of our border and returning to Camp yesterday he is a member of Capt Acridges Co.H also tells me of the burning of Elks Mills Senica Mills and Barlins Small steam mill on Buffalo and the Killing of James Richardson Leut in Maj Livingstons Comd also of the two [Maysvillers] near Granby or Neosho
I inclose you this hoping by so doing to disclose to yourself and others who may feel any interest in the [matter] and state of the warfare now being carried upon our border, and the helpless condition of those whom the misfortune of war leave to the merciless brutality of savage interference in Civil warfare. Such beastly brutes as are now employed by the Federal Government to over come our western borders are plainly show to be destitute or ignorant of all respect and human feeling that should exist, even for their own party whitch is plainly shown in the first case referred to in Mr Kincades report Since coming in possession of this report I have felt it my duty to call upon Mr Long and Fulcher for the details conserning the Delaware Chief and the childrens scalps so as to enable us come by some _____ at the bloody hounds who murdered and Scalped the unprotected family of Mr Recker. Wm Longs report the day before yesterday corresponds precisely with what Mr Kinkade reports yesterday
And could any demand be made upon any Government for redress and Justification for outrages committed it should be done in our case, for the acts mention in the reports upon our own people and that of the poor deluded (so called minor citizens) remaining along our border As Indians we feel ourselves deeply mortifyed and horror struck, and such acts as is recognized by the Old Federal Government and hope they may be lead to reform their present adopted course. And wage war only against the Soldier of the South
The letter inclosed and Signed Jesse Russel was taken from the effect of a Federal
Soldier, killed while attempting to arrest him a few days ago by a part of my advance while on Scout by the name of Starr Deer in the water Starr was well known as a _____ member of the Pin society and is said to have been appointed Jude of Canadian District by that Society. Jesse Russel was Orderly Sergt of Capt Allan Finnemans Co of Confederate Troops. And the ink could not have more than dried upon his letter before he was overtaken by a partie of Pin Indians and killed, stripped and left before his letter reached the Head men as aluded to. He [died a vial traitor] by the hands of his own party Your Obt Sevt
R C P
P.S - Instead of Leut Zane C Richardson as killed. Please ____ to Adjt & Z C Richardson as being taken in a house pushed out of doors and shot to pieces. ____ ______ wagon Master same _____ and Private B F Finney Co A both killed or report to have been.

I hereby certify to this as being the true statement made to me by the parties witnessing the same.
R C Parks Lt Col
Comdg 1st Che Regt

Adjt will place the above certificate to each report Officially
R C Parks

Special Order
Capt Alberty Co N will cause an election to be held in his company on the 14th for filling the vacancy occasioned by the promotion of David [Foster] from the 3rd Leutenancy to that of 2nd Leutenant from the promotion of Leut Jas M Bell from the 2nd Leutenancy to that of 1st caused by the death of 1st Leutenant James Benge who died on or about the 25 of December at the residence of Stonewads near Ft Smith Ark
By Order
R C Parks Lt Col
Comdg 1st Che Regt

Rev Chaplin Foreman preached to our regiment to day. Our Cherokees are becoming so good and religious as to have preaching and prayers every night Received dispatch from Col Chilly McIntosh He reports Federal indians advancing down Deep Fork has sent out Col Jumper with 3 company to oppose them And should they be ____ he himself will go out against them Reports no meal at the Tuck ____ Mill, but assures us of plenty to be had at Camp Johnson Depot.
It becomes necessary at times that we should stop our careless assend of unseen [pre-and] mishaps, in order to give ourselves time and oppurtunity, for duly considering and comparing our present relation with our former progress and prosperity. So, as to derive at some definite proposition calculated to bring our minds rightfully up on what might eventually be the results and final terminus of our established bases of opporations. Now we as Southern rights Cherokees and upholders of Southern institutions claimed from the first [shake] of Confederate independence to have been under the disadvantage of more than three fold weight _____ upon us. And that giving due allowance for Slim Chances and heavy prejudices balanced to our disadvantage, we have been by far more prosperous than the Confederate government itself
When the irresistible issue were known and felt by all parties and war desided upon us the only result betwixt the United States and the rebel state who first seceded and [arraided] themselves to oppose the farther Sway of the United States Government in these state, and up to the fall of Ft Sumter Our party in the Cherokee Nation would have been relatively speaking, no where, and in a militarily view we would not have been considered a Corporals guard. We had among us some very interesting individuals whose feeling were touched - by the numerous flaming editorial comments upon vast and grand [patreat] Southern Convention and War speeches by leading men of different Southern States calling upon one and all to come to arms, defy the Republican Devils, build up a new Confederacy elect King Cotton and live in Southern Splindor, Each District had more or less Strong and trusty citizens, who joined up. Some few had really discovered the contemptible design of the Black Republican Government, and went in opposition from good natives, and a desided will for the best and only safety for us - Others we had who came with us, hopeful of some change, and regardless of results provided their prospect for some office were good, and the inducement were sure greater for making a few [dimes]. With the high honor attached of Capt, So and So Leut so and so, Orderly, Sergt, Corpl, or something else equally great and strange to the peaceful citizens of the Cherokee Nation These are the first two classes as may well be imagined whose feelings first attracted them to join in the War
Of the first and most respectable class of our rebels we will first speak and give some ___ as will be found to exist in each District and in different parts of the nation Such now as we speak of were of the first class and prompted to action by feelings of worth to Southern right and for Southern rights at all hazards - and to the bitter end. In noting these individuals as far as our memory serves us will commence with Delaware District the most Northern portion of our country living off our Neutral Lands and among the many eager personages who were figuring upon this occasions was Stand Watie, he lived upon Savinaw Creek on a tributary where he owned and ran a steam saw mill and at the same time held a place or farm upon the Grand River near, [set] opposite the mouth of Honey Creek He was then in every circumstances having Several Slaves and maintained his family at his residence at his mill, worked his river farm partly by his own hands and partly by hiring, His saw mill was mostly ran by hands hired, and was fast supplying all the country around with all qualities of lumber at a very low rate, He done some trading otherwise though and around his neighborhood, but was seldom or never known to cause or expose himself to much fatigue for the purpose of making money, had always plenty to make him a good living and as for everything further than his own wellfare and that of his families, never disturbed his mind. Having allways been considered a leader and permanent personage in future political division of the Nation, was one cause probelly of his utter indifference to all passing events
He is even a man of remarkable strange actions and to one acquainted with him would consider him a remarkable Strange man.
His domestic habits and home customs were very plain. Substantial and of easy access. He prided in being only upon a level with all around him and one and all were at ease and home in his house, and his gentle plain and unassuming course through life had gained him many friends and the desided confidence of both white men, and fullblood Indians in as much that the fullbloods come Settle new, and visit him constantly.

Nov 11th 1863
My Friends in the Kee-too wah Society
I write to you. I greatly desire that you should you should come after me I am in a very bad condition I could tell you a great many - things whitch I have seen and observed, also the reasons whitch induced me to leave my home I was made an Officer in robbing expeditions, and if I failed in doing my duty I would have been killed - and if I attempted to go where you were. Scattered through the country as you were then, I would have been robed immediately, and if concluded to remain at home they would have served me like they did James Pritchett. I was not in the least afraid of you, though some one told my wife you would kill me at first sight, when I heard that I took alarm; at that time Pritchett was already killed. It was time I should do something one way or the other.
At that time even my wife did not know the relation existing between us. I only told her this, when I left home, that when ever any one man or woman visited her to treat them kindly. About my connection with the other side, you may think that I formed many close friendships, but it is not so Alexander Foreman is the only one that I made friends with, and that only on outside subjects but nothing compared to the close friendship between the Kee-too-wah society and myself. I noticed everything that [happened] around me, I remember it, they have not the remotest idea of what is kept secret in my heart. But I have great hopes that you will come or send for me If you conclude to come after me. I would like to see only one first, and after we all see one another, we will then have time to talk. Nothing more. This letter you must send to some one of the head men.
(Signed Jesse Russel)
{Hucalean Martin
Transaltion}

Jan 13th 1863
Capt JW Wells
I sent again to your office for our old Muster Rolls and would be very glad you could have them closely watched for. I am confident Capt Houston can tell us something of their where bouts. I hawled them into your Office after you had left Camp Davis and was at Gibson and it appears we can not live very long without them and are told that there is nothing else keeping us from our last years pay, only our last years Muster Roll. We went to the expense of the raising of a hundred men in defraying expenses to Washitaw and back to draw not even 22 coppers of our pay roll left there by Capt Brown Taylor. Still the cry is that that is not the papers we were after, that the Muster Rolls are the one, And if we had them we could git our money the next day.
For gods sake make somebody look for it and send us every paper needed, Roll or
Muster Rolls, with Stand Waties name to it and we will then be ready for our pay.
Your Obt Servt
RC Parks LtCol
Comdg Che Regt

Genl Order Jan 13th
It is earnestly recommended to all Officer and Soldier diligently to attend divine Service; and all Officers who shall behave indecently or irrevently at any place of divine worship shall if commissioned officers be brought before Genl CourtMartial - and any Non Commission officers or Soldiers, so offending shall forfeit a certain portion of his next pay, and every person be confined _____per hour.

Every Officer who shall be convicted before a genl CourtMartial of having signed a full certificate relating to the abuse either officer or soldier or _______ to his or their pay shall be cashiered

Every officer who shall knowingly make a false muster of men or horse and every officer or Commissary of Musters who shall willingly Sign direct or allow the signing of Muster Rolls - where in such false Muster is contained, Shall upon proof made by two witness before a [general] CourtMartial be cashiered and shall be thereby, entirely disabled to have or hold office or employment in the Service of the Confederate States
Jan 13th
Rev Stephen F_________ jr.
Sir by Military Regulations we are entitled to one Chaplin for the benefit of our Regt. Could you favor us by excepting that commission Please let us know immediately
RC Parks Lt Col
Comdg Che Regt

Jan 13th 1863
Order all Officers and Soldiers will be required to leave their Arms & accouterments in Camps only while on duty. And all soldiers who may be caught outside our line of encamp with fire arms without Special Permission will be arrested and punished for the same offence as if he was guilty of firing of his gun. R C Parks Lt Col

We had a lonesome day Warm, cloudy and some distant thunder in the eavning. Men moved about easily and ______. Rain a________d from a heavy mist about dark and from the ______ warmth of this winter we are unable to come to any conclusion as to what will be the result. Received short dispatch from Genl Cooper in ___________ for Camp Johnson Depot. Nothing further could become at regarding future movements Major Lipe up from Ft Smith or Skullyville. He confirms the former statements of very reliable reports and rumors from all parts and respectin gevery command and forces to east and west of the Mississippi River

Jan 14th
[I would] all the fire ____ of the day, with a heavy Sprinkle at night. Yesterday [very] late our wagons came in from Johnson Depot Reports Genl Coopers forces as coming in there, we could only git parts of loads from the fact of his coming in to that point.
Head Quarters 1st Che Regt
Canadian Jan 15th 1863
Genl
Sir, we are now encamped in the Canadian bottoms Our situation is very low, and in consequence of yesterdays heavy snow are placed in rather a bad predicament. Our mules have absolutely refused to draw any of our empty wagons. Some of them are well able yet to git around through the bottom and will live very well for some weeks yet. Others will hardly out live this cold spell. Yesterday and today the boys tell me they find nine of our poneys dead. This morning I withdrew our piquets from the thinness of our poneys. Col Watie ordered that oxen be used instid of our mules. We have succeeded in out fitting three of them whitch is not sufficient to draw our rations. We are looking for some 20 yoke in tomorrow - or next day, whitch will be enable us to move from this point
We sent out two teams to Johnson Depot, whitch brought us in some 2000 lbs flour and a hundred or two of Sugar they could just as easy have brought 1000 lbs sure. Today we have one half ration for the men whitch will be the last we have on hands.
Our sick and Doctors list is now by far the largest roll we have and from its continued increase it will soon become fearful. Have no medicine, no blankets and no diet suitable for our sick, roast beef does very well for coughs, but sick men cannot prosper upon it. Among the rest we have several cases of Small Pox, whitch by gods blessing alone are doing tolerablly well. We have no news respecting the Pins or Federal, cant learn where they are at present.
We have now a small scout out in the direction of Greenleaf, expect them to report to [return] or the next day, where we may be able to send out a longer Scout mounted upon fresh cattle. Your Obt Servt
R C Parks Lt Col

Jan 16th
Cold with piercing wind. The sun shown out brightly all day, the wind being sharp and piercing that its rays made no impression upon the Snow We were all very quiet in Camps. We had a detail to drive up some beavers and kill them in our camp yards
One hundred and thirty horses and mules reported as being dead.
Jan 17th
Genl
Since writing you yesterday I have reported to me one hundred and thirty horses and mules as having been discovered dead from our regiment up and down the bottoms near our incampment.
Since this cold spell I have been compelled to send off Several Soldier who were both sick and barefooted Our doctor in Camp has no medicines on hand and can do even sick men no good, And our Principal has been permitted to go South for medicines, whitch relives us of his assistance during the remainder of this Spring Our Col has not yet return to Camps. We are here awaiting his return before knowing what more is next to be made, And what will be done to save us.
Yours & c Truly
R C Parks Lt Col
Comdg Che Regt

Our Prisnor
Our prisnor in camps is a young Pin, caught up in [flinch] distrcit by Col Waties Scouts while up in that Quarter while Station there upon Maj Genl Hindmans left. Capt Moses Fry while upon Scout came upon him walking the main road in the same direction as himself, his men charged upon at full speade he saw they would over hold him after running out of his shoes and droping his gun, he fell upon his face, Several guns were discharged at him while running and a few after he fell Capt Fry himself fired up on him at a very close range Thinking he was killed went up, and wound him up and unhurt save a slight Scratch on one arm. He was known by a few as Tom Rattey. He pl_____ in all things was not a Pin and had never had been with the Federals. They could not learn anything from him. The boys put him up behind one of them and carried him to Camp barefooted & headed with any bedding and very thin clad and we have had him here ever since under guard, he has now a hat and nothing more through all this cold weather
now the snow is some 8 or 9 inches deep, wind cold and piercing So very cold that I with 2 blankets one quilt bed [tick] and and good sadle blanket can hardly stand to winter through one such night as last night was - and the [future prospect]
He stood around a cold sloppy guard fire, crowded and s___y barefooted. Dressed in thin pair pants, light hunting shirt and an old Pin hat. Snow 8 or 9 inches. Slop and mud round the fire cold and disagreeable, while the wind blows sharp and piercing from the North Many of our soldiers are found to be destitute of Bedding, Clothing and entirely barefooted and in Consequence of whitch we have considerable sickness. I have sent several to their homes, and advise them to remain until the weather breaks for the best.

Sunday 18th Jan 1863
Day sets in cold with rain. Mostly confined to our tents River reported full and still rising We have no word either from Col Watie or our Oxen that were being brought up from Webbers Falls- Mitchell our expressman to Genl Cooper returned having gotten no farther than near Gains Creek feeling somewhat indisposed, he forwards my dispatches by our teamster and returns himself, after getting quite half way We learn from Camp reports and rumor among our men that we are not to be paid off before May Should this supposition chance to be true it will unmistakable cause great dissatisfaction in Camps We still have 600 men in Camp all anxiously awaiting for Col return, when they are expecting he will cause Something to be done for us, Many are cursing and swearing they will only give him three day more to return in and better their condition
Beef, and beef alone has been our only living for 3 or 4 day and nothing better promised us for the future, We received information from Capt Willard Post J M Johnson Depot that Genl Cooper was looked for at that post and that no more flour could be issued us till further supplies could be received from Texas. We s_____ a wagon out day before yesterday, heard from it yesterday, had _____ one yoke oxen, and was very likely not to be able to make the trip as the oxen were growing very weak and the streams rising whitch [cook in our goose for the time]

Monday 19th 1863
We lay all day quietly in Camps. Men very much confused, and disheartened from the Col prospected absence and, delay, at this most particular time; He can not at present furnish one team sufficient to draw in our beef and all being strictly dead out upon beef and salt, Waters all rising and snow, and slop all over Camps Soldier gitting down - with disease, and no medicines.

Tuesday 20th
Genl D H Cooper
Sir necessaty now compells me to send to you, and in doing so is absolutely requisite that I should hear from you by tomorrow nigth
Our condition is such, as renders it [imatidably] nessary to act, promptly and immediately in avor of our men, Greate dissatisfaction now prevails throughout our Camp, And almost disobedience to law and order are being avowed, by both men and officers, f____ the fact of our having no supplies and no prospect for gitting any, and the long delay in being paid any money. Reports having come among us to the effect, that we are to receive no pay for services untill May Our p___y are reduced to such a state that horses cannot be had to drive up beef from the prairie, and our team from the whole train sufficient, to draw an empty wagon
Without any further assistance beyond my own views, I can only suggest two courses to pressure in relieving our immediate wants That is to furlough the men until Spring, Or allow each Commanding Officer to take his own company and go their own way, and provide for themselves, either will answer very well as a last resort; Col Watie is not here, and all patience has been exhausted in looking and waiting for him I shall await your Order and hop you will allow no delay in letting me hear from you, I am fearful, we have some officers who are taking advantage of our [present] condition, to create disturbance and disorganizing. The Regt for p_____ [purposes]
Your Obt Sevt
R C Parks Lt Col
Comg Che Posts

[Mark] Linsey Expressman to Genl Cooper - with the above letter
Skinnerhorn Bell, 2nd Sergt Co. V Capt B Alberty died at o________ Pox Camp on the Creek at our last encampment. Capt A was directed to superintend the burning. Sun shown out brightly and the Snow was greatly reduced. No news, waters high, all anxious for the Col return, every man hoping when he git back to received some advantages by his return. Our horses are looking bad, and reduced now to bone and sinew, knawing trees and picking twigs and brush from the trees - choped down for firewood, Small trees and tender bushes are peeled from the ground up, several feet up, now and then a pony die and some very good horses now and then die.
Capt Lynch, in the issue of beef you will exclude from your issues to soldiers The Shank bone and necks leaving them for any one wishing to use the same, aside from his soldiers rations

Wednesday Jan 21st 1863
Quietness and Sun shine [ruled] pleasantly our encampment to day, And as the gentle sun beamed down upon the disappearing snow. The boys hunkered down around their several fires, resting with apparent Contentment, and with a settled disposition until Col Watie comes in. The great hum and beefs of confusion have almost subsided, and its very seldom we hear even the mention of our pay - furlough, Bread or starvation made, Could Col Watie accomplish anything while gon, and return with some desided and effective plans for immediate action we will, very easily ware our time away Till Spring We came very near finding ourselves destitute of beef this evening. We sent out some of our best teams out for beef, and while drawing one of our empty wagons through a mud slough one of the best mules mired down and drowned upon the spot. One or two other teams were found dead in the bottom

Thursday Jan 22nd 1863
Clouds dark and threatening, hover low over our - Camps and rain was expected every hour, 8 O clock clear spot opens, and the sun shown beautifully, warm and pleasantly for about ten minutes when all was over, and a misty darkness prevailed I ordered a general move of our encampment to a point back upon our road of higher land and purer water than what we have here at present Each company was intrusted with the removal of their camp and garrison equipage, as our mules are reduced beyond our assistance.
Each mess of some companies, bundled their own tricks and march in single file for the ridge One, would have tents another pots - skillets and pans, each and every one having his saddle, Bridle and blanket swung over his back, in addition to his Camp Equipage, away they would go in fine Spirits, Closing up and [obliging] off in fine Stile, our wagon Master succeeded in starting some three or four team, whitch was mostly occupied in hauling out, Q M and Commissary effect, and such of the stock as could not ride. The roads being extremely bad muddy, boggy, through sloshing mud and water, Sloughs & cc.
I left the companies filing off with their Cavalry Equipage upon their shoulder and went in search of my [lame] poney. Tenting considerably Thinned Carcasses of devoured beeves and stock cattle generally were left strewn in [litter] confusion. Dead pony and mules were shucked here and there, among the large trunks of back logs left scattering through our encampment, where the camp fires were still burning and the low ditch in the mud shaped the precise [slope] of the tents Just left, smoking and showing upon the river line Somewhat dryed spots than that exposed to the weather
Here and there a pony would be lying helpless upon his side, rest his nose on the ground either in front or one side of his body unable further to support his own frame
In one case where I past a poor pony over against our Camp near the river, Standing with all four feet squarely set to brace his body, while his nose stood firmly placed against the ground in of his head. I have no idea how long he had been in this condition nor how long he would remain as I left him, without seeing a muscle moved in his frame, And I have no doubt he stood in that position until he fell dead. At another place a small sorrel _______ had been trailing his carcass along a plain beaten trail upon the slick ice, and upon some miss step he had slid down with my foot to the fur Quarter of the [Windy], where he had died without even making even a struggle with his teeth clenched, and placed fast against the ground where life left him powerless and useless. I wound round for miles through the bottom and as far as I went, Such poney could be seen standing upon their last feet, and dead ones - fell upon at all points
Returned by way of Camps - My Tent had been moved to dry land, Several other were left upon the ground, till Tomorrow followed on, over hawls old L___ at the mush, half bent, with 2 sticks crippling a long, I give him up my Horse and walked in his place to our New encampment only 2 miles, past the main Slough upon poles and chunks placed along through the water for that purpose. One wagon was fast, two mules by it fast. One that our Chief Bugler was riding was fast, just behind the wagon, I past on as if nothing was wrong. found Col Watie in Camp, or at our camping place, All hands surround him for some good news, either in furloughs, pay, or bread I could not get very near him and was unable to hear what he said, but from the way in whitch men turned off and left the circle with rather an ashy look and long face I could read no furloughs, no pay, no bread.

1863 Friday Jan 23
Report came in to Camp of Some of our men going to a Chacktaw House near our Camp and robed the place of Several Sacks of Coin, and some what abused the land lady
I had each Company lead out upon the prairie to hear the Old Col Speake while I had Co C and Several Officers to search each and every tent for corn. At some of the nearest Camps we found several parts of Sacks, After we brought up the men claiming the same, We soon found the persons who were suspected, and no sooner were they brought before they began Telling upon each other until the whole story was Told by the parties Conserned, Some two or three Sergt and a Corporal or so was discovered among the guilty. Several of Co A - Co D - K were brought up and placed under guard & Courtmartial appointed for their Cases on Tomorrow morning Col Watie went out and Spoke to his men and let them know what he had saw, and what they may expect, At one Oclock Officer were all called to gather in round Tent Sentinels placed all around it, to keep off Straglers, while Col Watie related his story of what he saw, and don while out on his tour to Hed Qr. And in the course of his narative made mention of the big men he went to see, and what the big men would say & c. He spoke at some length, of our distitute condition, and the helpless Situation of the Country Generally advising the Officers and men to adhere at all times to Order and discipline and never use language of insubordination, and keep down all tumults of disaffection, and stand Sted fast and firm to the cause for whitch we have Sworn to uphold. He suggested Sending off all our poneys to Texas and have them fed [To] Send Scouts in to the Nation, Flint, Tahlequah and other district [Move] out all the destitute Citizens hawl the grain to Webbers Falls. Have the Services of the refugee Cherokees taken and to send a [message] to Hindman & H____ts for the purpose of Seeing after our [present supports] and releaf for our own releaf. All and every thing was willing agreed to, and not one word was said in way of Objections And every proposition was expected with out one word in return

Saturday Jan 24th 1863
We were busy all day in round tent, Courtmartialing 12 men of our Regiment Charged with Stealing Corn and mistreating a Choctaw Evidence plain and positive. Sentence to one months pay and ten days hard labor, 50 dol to be paid to the Choctaw for damages Considerable Stir in Camps, Received our pay rolls - Muster, from Genl Coopers Hed Qtrs. River falling and almost now fordable, Reports came into Camp of some Pins being cross the Arkansas river wish to make peace. And are wanting to come in Reports from Gen Hindman, of no interest. Many are being furloughed and left Camp for different pretences, others are [refused] it. I received from Col Watie last evening the remainder of my services due 700 dol I am owing some 300 of That and the remainer 400 I have to spend. Soldiers pay does not come for some time yet probably not before Spring Horses ordered up to be carried off to Texas.

Sunday Jan 25
We had a very rainy day, rained stiddy day and night Could not posably git out of Camps yet I tried to git Cross river, but failed from high water. We started 2 wagon for Pennyville for flour where Col Watie says we have engaged some 3 thousand lbs Boys are getting off very fast all wanting furloughs and passes from Camp.
Monday 26 Jan 1863
Cloudy and Some rain We lay close in Camps - Worked some upon our Old Company papers. Received Dispatch from Genl D H Cooper, Giving us news from a great Victory gained by the Confederates over the Federal at Vicksburg Sinking 14 gunboats, killing eight thousand men - and repulsing them. Also Holms and Genl Hindman defeating ______ below the Rock particulars are not yet learned He says he has forwarded flour to us that would be here in a very few days.

Tuesday 27 Jan /63
Col Watie Absent all day. I lay in Camp mostly working on Old Company [Afe] placed them all upon Pay Rolls, We having now nothing like bread and are giting very Ordinary beef, our salt ______ is getting very scarce, Only an issue for 2 or 3 more days - Wagons not yet heard from I rote again to my wife So many of our men leaving for all parts, and giting off upon their own time
Wednesday 28th /63
Our rolls were mostly completed and, Wm P Adair carried them down to Head Quarters Col Watie also went down to see about our Money Affairs and will be absent some four or five days He gave Order to Several Capts before he left. He came in to my tent and asked if I had any letters I wished to send to HQ Having none he requested that I should move Camp as soon as the Ground dries off so that wagons can be moved
All anxious ______ to see the flour wagon. Men are yet doing without bread, Hay clean [warm] and fine, River yet full but falling.

Thursday 29th Jan
Camps were luled to complete quietness with the full hope of the early arrival of our flour wagons[We] were all the day anxiously looking for them Our boys beg hard for leave of Absence All are desirous of Leaving Camp, and all [murmer of protest]
Friday 30
Nothing unusiul, all day Cop wood, build fires and cook beef is all we have nows a day to do.

Saturday 31st We commenced moving our Camp to a point opposite our Camp across the Prairie on the Cooper road Had only three or four wagons to do all our moving with, and we could not all git over. One of the Wm Taylors came to me with a beautiful Story and all most crying for a hundred dollar bill he had lost among the Spike boys at the Grand Mothers Trick
I ordered Capt [Stuard] to have it ristored. Wagons were going most of the day - Rained a little in the after noon. I sends to my wife a bundle of my old letters and within one I enclosed a short note and two 100 dollar bills as my first birth day gift to my little boy Sterling Price No William Heale of Co D on Furlough to Collin Co Texas in Company of Wm Jackson Co O, I did [intend] sending out by old man Schrimpsher who is here and going down soon, but he has so many irons in the fire, that its no telling whether he will go before Spring I gave my consent today to [Moses] Buzzard and Hugh of Co B to go on Scout to Cowskin for the purpose of Seeing what has be come of old Capt Buzzard who was left sick at home when we skedadled from there last Spring. Capt Johnson Thompson, you will furnish Adjt Anderson money sufficient to pay his expenses to Head Qrs and back as expressman
Adgt Anderson carries down our money report and Rolls to Head Qrs -
Capt Foreman moved his Company down Canadian for the purpose of crossing the Arkansas River below its mouth and Scout upon the eastern side by Order of Col Watie.

Return to transcript contents