Journal of expedition against hostile Indians in southern Nebraska : commanded by Lieut. Col. R. H. Brown. 12th Mo. Cav. Vols. January and February 1866 : manuscript.

Nebraska ; Kansas, 1866.

1 item (41 leaves)

English

Purchased from Robert H. Rubin Books on the Frederick W. and Carrie S. Beinecke Fund for Western Americana, 2013.

This material is open for research.

Thomas Jefferson Potter (1840-1888) enlisted in the 7th Iowa Cavalry Regiment of the Union Army in 1863. In 1866, the regiment was assigned to Fort Kearney in Nebraska to guard the construction of the Union Pacific Railroad, as well as the stage line carrying mail to the Pacific Coast. Potter was later the first vice-president and general manager of the Union Pacific Railway.

Manuscript journal, unsigned, possibly written by Thomas Jefferson Potter documenting the 7th Iowa Cavalry Regiment of the Union Army’s expedition against Sioux (also known as Oceti Sakowin) and Pawnee peoples, 1866 January 6-February 18. The expedition begins and concludes at Fort McPherson (referred to as “Post Cottonwood”) in Nebraska. Locations referenced include Medicine Creek, Republican River, Camp Wheaton, Blackwater River, Big Beaver Creek, and Solomon River.

June 29, 2022

Thomas Jefferson Potter, Journal of Expedition Against Hostile Indians in Southern Nebraska. Yale Collection of Western Americana, Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library.

Thomas Jefferson Potter, Journal of Expedition Against Hostile Indians in Southern Nebraska. Yale Collection of Western Americana, Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library.

Soldiers Nebraska 19th century.