Before we left North Platte all the men were given guns and taught how to use them but instructed never to shoot unless some dire situation arose.

We saw many Indians who were always about to see what harm they could do. They delighted in scattering the cattle, stealing our provisions, and poisoning our drinking water.

All men had to take turns at guard duty. My hours were from twelve noon until seven the next morning, but sometimes our turns came daily, according to the rampage of the Indians. One time one of our company shot one of our young men, thinking he was an Indian in hiding. The young man was buried by night and we went on.

The summer was very rainy and we walked in mud up to our ankles most of the time. The stench was almost unbearable because of so many dead cattle.