In 1864 a unit of Pawnee was organized for service with the United States forces under General S. R. Curtis on the Kansas frontier. Frank North served as a lieutenant on this expedition and in December of the same year was authorized to organize a Company of Pawnee Scouts and to serve as its captain. This company served in the Powder River Expedition in 1865 and was mustered out in 1868. In 1867 North was commissioned a major and given command of a Pawnee battalion of four companies recruited for the protection of the construction crews of the Union Pacific Railroad. Two companies served in 1868, four in 1869 two in 1870, and one company was recruited in the final service of the Pawnee Scouts in 1876 and 1877.
Pawnee warriors were anxious to serve in the scouts and they felt that Frank North and his brother Luther was their true friends. The exploits of the Norths an the Pawnee Scouts were being related among the tribe over the final years after the last campaign had ended.
Major North's diary was presented to the Nebraska State historical Society in 1952 by his daughter, Mrs. Stella North Chambers of Columbus, Nebraska. The diary covers the year 1869. Several skirmishes were fought, the chief action being the destruction of the Cheyenne village of Chief Tall Bull at Summit Springs on July 11th, 1869.
SPECIAL NOTE:
Although Major Norths entries are often short and terse, it does however, cover much of his day-to-day life. The description of the military skirmishes are also brief, but in those cases additional information about certain events are also included and were written primarily by the Generals Major North served under. Those entries are also included and appear in italics.
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The diary has been reproduced with the original spelling and punctuation
January, Saturday 9, 1869
Arrived home this morn at 5.10. found Mary awake for me at the American this afternoon we went over and saw of the folks Jim North and the boys came home at dark with wood. I went to town. Traded property with Geo Clothier today also leased Earnst my mules.
The American was a well known hotel at Columbus. It had been constructed by the Columbus Town Company in 1957.
Friday, 29
Lieut Bullock from Cannada came up from Omaha.
January, Sunday 31, 1869
Lieut & myself went to Doby town and had a good time.
February, Monday 1.
Today we spent most of the day in our quarters as the weather is too cold to go out. Talbot came over with his pickalow and gave us some music. went to bed at midnight.
John Talbot, enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1855 and was discharged at Ft. Kearny in 1859. He acquired land west of the military reservation and erected the first buildings in Kearney City or "Doby Town".
Friday 5.
Arrived at Kearney at 2 A.M. This afternoon we went over to the Fort.
February, Saturday 6. 1869
this morn we came over the River with five six mule teams will go back to the Fort in the morning
February, Tuesday 9. 1869.
Arrived in Columbus this morn for breakfast and after eating took the mules over to Jackson.
Jackson was a flag station on the U.P.P.R. between Columbus and Silver Creek. It is now called Duncan.
Wednesday 10.
this morn I went to the Depot at 5 o'clock A.M. to take the train to Omaha but found the train 10 hours late. I went back home and at one o'clock P.M. received orders to recruit one company immediately tonight I go to Kearney.
Thursday 11.
Arrived at Kearny this morn and crossed the River recruited 50 men clothed mounted and equipped them. all today. have got our horses all shipped for McPherson hope to arrive there early and then return home.
February 12. 1969
Arrived at McPherson today at noon, marched over to the fort drew pants guns amunition forage and Grub went into camp and it rained teribly. All got wet and nearly froze during the night.
Ft. McPherson was located on the south side of the Platte River near Cottonwood Springs in what is now Lincoln County.
February, Wednesday 24. 1869
I have not been out all day. had a dispatch from Lute. I telegraphed him to come home tomorrow. tonight I attended the bridge meeting we propsed to have a bridge.
March, Thursday 4.
Arrived home from Kearny at 5.10 A.M. had a very cold time coming down on the train. heard from Lute today. today Gen. Grant is inaugerated.
March, 24.
This morn got up wrong end first. have been nervous all day. Lute wrote some of the boys had run away. I started for McPherson.
March, 25.
3.15 this morn I came back to Silver Creek & got a horse & rode over to the village after my boys got them & came back at 5 P.M. I go to McPherson tonight.
March, 26.
Came up today arrived at McPherson at 12 M. walked down to the river and one of the boys went over the river & brought a boat over & we got over all right horse met me there. Came to camp. Played Billiards with Lute. Lute got beatten.
April. Saturday 3.
This morn started for Omaha with four Pawnee Cheifs expecting to go to Fort Harker. got a dispatch from Gen. Auger stating that he was bringing the Prisoners.
Fort Harker was located in Kansas on the Smokey Hill River near the crossing of the Old Santa Fe Stage Road. Brev. Maj. Gen. Christopher Augur was commander of the Department of the Platte in 1869. His military career included action in the Civil War and the Indian Wars.
Saturday 17.
Last night at 11.30 Mary was taken sick and gave birth to a fine Girl baby.
Stella North, the child of Frank & Mary North, married Edwin Chambers of Columbus in 1888.
Tuesday 20.
This morn went to Omaha with Joe Baker Yost & Negro Henry, the Negro under arrest for selling Whiskey to Indians had the trial and put the Negro to Jail. I got orders today to recruit another Company. Came home tonight & will go to the Reserve in the morn.
Friday 23.
this morn drove over to the village and got the men & started for home. this eve got two cars & have now got the men loaded for Kearny. I go up on the Express.
Saturday 24.
Arrived in Kearny. This morn at 2 A.m. and after breakfast I came over the River with Col Litchfield and our party and at noon our men came and we drew our tents and teams & the men were mustered into service.
April, Sunday 25. 1869
This morn I drew & issued arms & horse Equipments and then we pulled out for the Kearny station, arrived at 5 P.M. got tents put up and oh how it rained. found Cushing here Lieut Cushing went down tonight
Major North requested that the Scouts be armed with the "improved Spencer Carbine".
Monday 26.
After issuing clothes I drove over to the fort to exchange guns and get Bayonets for Picket pins. tonight I go home.
Thursday 29.
Arrived at K at 2 A.M. went over to the tent and went to bed. after breakfast took both teams & drove to the fort drew 31 days rations came back got in the River and about 4 P.M. started the Company out they are encamped in sight.
Click HERE to read excerpts of May thru July
The excerpts you are reading was taken from the book Journal Of An Indian Fighter, The 1869 Diary Of Frank North. It was edited by Donald Danker.
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