I was well posted in regard to the Carrington Powder River Expedition of 1866 and the history of Fort Phil Kearney from the date of establishment to Nov., 1867, and acquainted with all of the officers and many of the soldiers and citizens. I probably would not have written this little statement of actual history were it not for the fact that in your article you stated that you got some of the record from the only living member of the celebrated wagon-box fight. I am still in the flesh and will pull down the scale at two hundred pounds. In all probability there are others alive, as we all were young men at that time. The history of the three forts established in 1865 and 1866, well written, would make interesting history, as almost every day was full of stirring events. Quite a number of the citizens in that country at this time were discharged volunteer soldiers and some rebel soldiers also. As a rule, they were hard nuts for the Indians to crack. It was noticeable that they would not take chances fighting citizens that they would take with the soldiers. After leaving Fort Phil Kearney I went to Cheyenne and followed the Union Pacific R. R. to the finish. Was at Promontory Point in Utah when the Union Pacific and Central Pacific R. Rs. connected; this was one of the mile-stones in the history of the West, and practically solved the Indian problem. The Indians fought hard for this territory. It was the best hunting ground that they had left. There were many half-breeds among them, and they were daring and shifty fighters. Respectfully yours, R. J. SMYTH” ----- Footnote 24: The serial publication of these articles brought me many letters filled with corrections, suggestions, and other material, written by participants in the events described. Among them all none is more graphic and more interesting than this from Mr. Smyth, formerly Teamster with Carrington, which I count it a privilege to insert in this book in his own words.—C. T. B. Footnote 25: I have observed similar visitations in other parts of the West years ago.—C. T. B. Footnote 26: General Carrington’s map on page 27 shows the island. Mr. Smyth’s recollection is in error here.—C. T. B. Footnote 27: Surgeon Horton writes me that the “soldiers brought back to the fort the head of an Indian for a scientific study of Indian skulls!” He afterwards sent it to Washington. He also states that there were a number of dead bodies too near the corral for the Indians to get them during the action. When he and other officers visited the place the next day, after the withdrawal of the Indians, there were no dead bodies to be found, not even the headless one.—C. T. B. CHAPTER FIVE Forsyth and the Rough Riders of ’68 I. The Original “Rough Riders.”