[From the collection of Glenn Sweem, provided by Scott Burgan.]
Fort Philip Kearney, D. T.
Nov. 10, 1867
Geo. M. Templeton
1st Lieut. & Post Adjt.
Fort C. F. Smith, M. T.
Sir:
I have the honor respectfully to report for the information of the General commanding the Post that in accordance with his orders, I came with Wm Carslile train with my escort consisting of (5) five non commissioned officers and (35) thirty five privates to within about five miles of Fort Philip Kearney, when I met a train in corral destined for Fort C. F. Smith - the escort to such train was commanded by Lieut. F. L. McCarthy, 27th U. S. Infty. - in obedience to orders I changed with him, this was on November 2nd, 1867.
Soon after starting with this train, a violent snow storm set in - the oxen would not face it and we were compelled to camp, having made but a mile and a half.
The next morning the weather cleared up and we made as rapid progress as the slippery condition of the roads would admit. Indians had been seen on the bluffs and apparently following the train, but in small numbers. We was on the old road to C. F. Smith and following the bottom of Peno Creek.
The train arrived at a bad place in the road. To the left was a Ravine, to the right a succession of Bluffs - a steep, long hill before us so narrow there is scarcely width for a wagon, and so much of an incline towards the ravine that we had to fasten ropes to the wagons to secure them from slipping into the ravine. By this time the snow had thawed sufficiently to render the road quite slippery, and we found the utmost difficulty in passing the wagons down — I placed pickets in the best position I could, not having any mounted men I could not send them on the Bluffs farther off; we had passed down all but three wagons when the pickets gave the alarm, "Indians!"---
This was about eleven o’clock A. M. the 4th inst. At that time the position of the train was as follows: Three wagons (Rear) on the brow of the hill, two at the foot, then came another small hill, ravine on the left, the balance of the train at the foot of the hill - the wagons "Bunched" as close as the nature of the ground would permit.
The Howitzer I received when I changed trains; I had with me on the brow of the hill with the three wagons before spoken of, in the rear of the train — the distance from these to the other part of the train was about eight hundred yards.
As soon as the attack was made I sent a man to the wagon master with orders to corral the wagons. We were attacked front and rear with much energy and vigor, but the main attack was at the rear. We loaded the Howitzer with cannister and fired. The Indians now closed in so rapidly and in such force that I feared for the safety of the gun, and was compelled to limber the piece and send it to the corral as rapidly as possible. The Indians dismounted and charged my rear guard, the firing on both sides was effective. Most of the men with me were disabled. I had received an arrow through my left foot and seeing no aid from the corral, I retired towards it, those not so severely wounded aiding those that were.
The place we were corralled in was so narrow that we were in rifle shot of the thicket on the bank of the creek and the Bluffs ---
The Indians now showed themselves in numbers at the rear, and both sides of the creek and commenced plundering the wagons on the hill, a few discharges from the Howitzer scattering them. I formed a line of skirmishers (ten soldiers and two citizens) and drove them from the thicket and timber, and under fire of the Howitzer succeeded in bringing in the two wagons in the hollow.
I now ascertained that through the carelessness of a driver employed by the Q. M. at Fort C. F. Smith, named Joseph Bowers, that a Government wagon and six mules was gone, the driver not being with his team when the firing commenced, the mules stampeded and had gone out of sight, chased by Indians. This was a serious loss as the wagon contained one thousand rounds of ammunition, the baggage of the Detachment, and a small package of mail matter which I had placed in my valise for safety.
I thought it prudent, in place of the large force that surrounded me, to secure the small quantity of ammunition that I had, especially as the citizen employees of the train had none for the arms they had.
The Indians came on to the Bluffs to the number of three or four hundred. We used sacks of corn for protection from their fire.
I had become so weak from loss of blood by this time that I could not stand, and deputed Wm Harwood, a citizen, to take charge of matters under me. He proved himself a competent and brave man, called for volunteers, and succeeded in bringing in under cover of the Howitzer the remaining wagons.
We sustained the following loss in the engagement-- Killed: Corporal Peter Donaly Co. H 27th Infty. Private James Partenhammer [sc. Harold Partenheimer] Co. G 27th Infty. Wounded: Corporal Gordon Fitzgerald Co. I 27th Infty. Private Edward McKeever Co. E 27th Infty. (Since dead) Citizen Wm Freeland Driver Howitzer
Corporal Peter Donely, Co. H, Corporal Gordon Fitzgerald, of Co. I, and William Freeland acted with much bravery. The men generally acted well when it is considered they were detachments from different companies.
I think the Indians sustained considerable loss, it is the opinion of some that at least ten were killed but as they move their disabled with such celerity the numbers cannot be told.
The Indians remained around us till near dark, at sundown their pickets could be seen--
After dark I sent two messengers to Fort Phil Kearney, a distance of eighteen miles, with a dispatch to General Smith commanding Mountain District. He promptly sent Colonel Green with three companies of cavalry, Maj. Gordon with his company as additional escort, a Surgeon and ambulances for the wounded, and a Bale of Blankets for the use of the men.
The surgeon deeming it impracticable for me to proceed with the train, I returned to this Post, the 5th inst.
Wm Leighton, Post Trader at Fort C. F. Smith, sustained some loss in goods during the time the Indians had possession of the rear wagons.
I have the honor to beRespectfully your Obt Lieut
E R P Shurly
2nd Lieut 27th U S Infty
Comdg Escort
[Note by Glenn Sweem: The Regimental Returns give the list of men killed and wounded in this engagement as Pvt. Harold Partinheimer, killed; Corporal Peter Donnally, Pvt. James McGeever, mortally wounded, Lt. Shurley severely wounded and Cp. Gordon Fitzgerald slightly.]