Indian Wars: The 19th Kansas Volunteer Cavalry Regiment

In the spring of 1868 Indian depredations were renewed, and in June the Cheyennes made a raid into the State as far as Council Grove. In August a raid was made on the settlers of the Solomon and Saline valleys; men, women and children were murdered, and other fearful atrocities committed. In September Governor Crawford called into the State’s service five companies of cavalry, to be organized from the militia, for service on the frontier. These companies furnished their own horses, but were supplied with ordnance equipment and subsisted by te general government. These companies were immediately organized and at the post of duty. Their presence along the border of the western settlements was salutary, and but few depredations were committed while the sturdy frontiersmen remained in the field. In October General Sheridan, whose energetic presentation of the matter seems to have awakened the officials at the War Department, received instruction from the Secretary of War to raise a regiment of Kansas volunteer troops for six months’ service. On October 9 he made his request to Governor Crawford; on October 10 the governor issued his proclamation, and ten days later the Nineteenth Kansas Volunteer Cavalry was mustered into the service of the United States. Governor Crawford resigned, and took the command of the regiment in person. The regiment served under General Sheridan while he conducted the energetic campaign of the winter of 1868 and 1869. No severe fighting resulted, but the Indians were given no rest. The winter was very severe; violent storms were frequent and the snow deep, and the hardships endured by the troops were terrible. The Nineteenth Kansas was mustered out at Fort Hays on the 18th day of April, 1869.

(Source: Thirteenth Biennial Report of the Adjutant General of the State of Kansas, 1901-’02, Topeka: W.Y. Morgan, State Printer (1902) p. 226. Transcribed by Staff Sergeant Bryce Benedict, 102d Military History Detachment, Kansas Army National Guard)