We had avoided discovery by the Sioux scouts, and we were confident of giving them a complete surprise.

I had many enemies among the Sioux; I would be running considerable risk in meeting them.

The cholera had broken out at the post, and five or six men were dying daily.

I thought I was benefiting the Indians as well as the government, by taking them all over the United States, and giving them a correct idea of the customs, life, etc., of the pale faces, so that when they returned to their people they could make known all they had seen.

The Indians were well mounted and felt proud and elated because they had been made United States soldiers.

My mother's sympathies were strongly with the Union. She knew that war was bound to come, but so confident was she in the strength of the Federal Government that she devoutly believed that the struggle could not last longer than six months at the utmost.