Apr 16, 2019 - Sale 2505

Sale 2505 - Lot 225

Price Realized: $ 3,000
?Final Price Realized includes Buyer’s Premium added to Hammer Price
Estimate: $ 1,500 - $ 2,500
(WEST.) McCaskey, William S. Letters written from the Dakota frontier during the Indian Wars. 3 Autograph Letters Signed (22 total pages) to friend Jack; minor wear. Dakota Territory, 1866-67
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These letters were written by Lieutenant William Spencer McCaskey (1843-1914) of the 13th United States Infantry: two from Fort Randall in 1866 discussing politics and one written in 1867 from his new post at Fort Rice. McCaskey was a career soldier who had joined the army at the outbreak of the Civil War. After mustering out in July 1865, he reenlisted the following year and subsequently served on the frontier in Dakota, Montana, Texas, and in Cuba during the Spanish-American War.
Writing on 14 July 1867 shortly after his arrival at Fort Rice, McCaskey relates the dilapidated state of the fort, its massive infestation by rats, and difficulties with the local Indians. He writes: "When we came here, everything was in a deplorable condition, occasioned mostly by the late fire, which destroyed most of the records and caused everything to be turned upside down. . . . Although I had a pretty good idea of what was usually found at a post, I was surprised at the amount of stuff piled away promiscuously here. Everything in the farming line--blacksmiths, carpenters, bakers, etc etc--but in nearly worthless condition. The quarters are still as when we came here, nigh unfit for occupation. The buildings are propped up all around and made secure by chains. . . . I had the pleasure (?) the other day of enlisting a few Indians to serve as scouts. Some fifty were desired, but ten as yet have presented themselves. . . . We don't know much of the Indian war up here as yet, but all seem to think we will after a while. Several hundred hostile Indians have been here from the Platte, but have as mysteriously disappeared as they came. . . . We can protect ourselves very well here, and would have no fears of the result of an attack. The first has been threatened for some time, but last winter all sensation stories were centered on Fort Buford. At that post you will remember all were massacred and all kind of inhumanities indulged in--but it was all on paper."
McCaskey also writes with some sympathy about the Indians, noting their poor treatment by the U.S. Government, a notable sentiment from an army officer posted on the Western frontier: "There is no doubt of it, the government has deceived them most outrageously. Why, there were three thousand Indians encamped about this post when we came, who had been starving here for two months, awaiting their annuities. Disgusted and unbelieving they have all gone, and what may come of it I don't know. There are too many mouths to be fed of the 'prop' from the Interior Department vaults to allow the Indians much, and of what little does get here, but a small share goes where Congress intends it should."