Bridges, Benjamin to George Bridges, July 11, 1833

Letter of Louisville United States Army officer Benjamin Bridges to his father George Bridges discussing his role in the forced removal of Native people to Oklahoma.

Mss. C B Bridges, Benjamin to George Bridges, The Filson Historical Society, Louisville, Kentucky

The Filson Historical Society, Louisville, Kentucky

Mss. C B Bridges, Benjamin

Cantonment Gibson July 11th 1833

Dear Father

Thankful to divine Providence for his privileges I hasten with pleasure to inform you that I am well though we had a tedious and a fatiguing march to the Pawnee country – a country consisting of immense prairies and many water courses. The waters were generally [unclear] there being generally a great deal of rain which we had to take unprotected by tents The Indians made prisoner of one of Capt Boone’s men (George B. Abbey) within three or four miles of our camp we immediately commenced a pursuit after them but failed to overtake them we then hunted for their towns determined to recover Abbey or annihilate them but not knowing precisely where they were and depending for support on buffaloe alone having neither flour nor meat we were forced to give over the pursuit and return to the garrison which place we reached [after] an absence of two months one month of which time we had nothing to eat only as we hunted it The buffaloe we jerked, It was our bread and our meat, And it was all we had for to eat; Yet we tho’t the living great, For sometimes we hadn’t even that

The Infantry gave our by one half; The Rangers a good many also the horses whilst I thanks be to fortune kept sound as a trout and scorned to complain under any circumstances thorough famine and fatigue, unchristian friends, were our constant companions. I think it highly probably that we will ^have nothing more to do until our term of service expire. – My time will be up in october after which I shall proceed to settle my business in [Newlondon] after which I’ll visit Louisville which will be a short time before Christmas maybe early in November.

I could write you more at length but Mr Pankburn can give you every thing of interest I have a great many wonders to speak of when I see you in person which [are] too trifling to put on paper.

Give my love to mother and all the children; tell them I hope to see them again in the course of four or five months: also tell Uncle James Hardin that I should be glad to hear from him. – Tell Warner maybe that I may speak to him when I see him he has not treated me as a brother He never wrote to me nor sent any word to me as though I had not been worthy of his notice but Ill quarrel with [him] when I see him. Lee & Sue [damage] think hard of me for not writing as I went away directly after I received their letters and have been so busy since I came back that I’ve not had time to write but will make it up with them when I see them

Benjamin Bridges

P.S. Remember me to all inquiring friends and tell John that I want [water damage]


Carlyle Ill

Augt 6th [1814]


Col George Bridges

Louisville Ky.


Politness of Mr Pangburn

letter