Benjamin Franklin Ferris - Civil War


     Rumors of war drew attention from the lesser excitement. We quit our claim
for a time and worked for wages, John in brothers hotell, and I in charge of a
gang of blasters in a mine at night shift at $3.50 per day. Spring brot many
new men to the mines and wages were reduced. Our wages were cut to $3.00 and I
with three others "struck". In August '61, S. H. Cook posted bills that he
wanted 100 men to join him to go to Kansas to help Jim Lane fight the "Kansas
Ruffins" Scentiment for North and South was about equally divided, the North
the most numerous, the South the most noisy.

     The stone building, where the Colorado Volunteers signed up, still
stands in Central City. Part of it houses a roast beef restaurant where I had
lunch in the summer of 1991. (EHM 3)

     When John and I joined Cook, he had only a few, 5 or 6 men with him. About
20 came that day and the next day we started for Denver afoot and that night we
made our first soldier camp, in the mountains by a clear Mountain stream with
no bedding and, but little grub. Got to Denver the next day in PM, verry tired,
verry hungry, and verry verry foot sore. I stopped on the banks of the Platte,
one mile from Denver and put my feet in the clear cold water and held them
there a long time. I walked on blisters from there to Denver and carried my
shoes in my hand and at that time was a hot kid.

     Treason was talked openly and Governor Gilpin called for volenteers. John
P. Slow was raising an infantry regament and asked us to join it. Cap. Cook had
been in Kansas with Lane in the early troubles there and wanted to join him,
but the question of getting there with no money was a hard one. We enlisted as
cavalry, but Gilpin promised us horses so we to join his first Col. Reg. Were
furnished quarters, rashions and some clothing and bedding and our Co was
recruted to about 110 men in a short time. We organized by electing Cook Capt,
Nelson 1st Lieut., Marshall 2ed Lieut., Wilson 1st Sarg't., and so on and were
examined and, I think, all mustered in. Most of us were 20 years old or older
and a company of big men. We occupied an old hotell, the Buffalo House, and had
a corrall acrost the street (F) for our horses and were called Company F.
Twelve companies were raised, all infantry except for F Co. They expected to
have artillery and when told they could not many refused to join. We drew
colts, revolvers, sabers and Remington carbines "7 shooters".

     While we were organizing, a party of about 20 left Denver to go South and
Join the Rebs. They were captured on the Arkansas River near Ft. Lyon by some
regular soldiers and sent to Denver.

     We now about Dec 1st had some horses and a detail was made to go and get
these prisoners. I think about 80 of us went on this our first army expedition.
We left Denver in the PM and camped in a pretty valley about 20 miles south of
Denver. and wrapt ourselves in blankets and laid down without supper, had no
breakfast untill noon the next day when our provision wagon, which for some
cause had been delayed, arrived.

     During the night, six inches of snow fell and helped our light bedding to
keep us warm. The wagon arrived with food about noon and we mixed flour and
water in our tin cups and soon had dough on sticks over our big cedar wood
fires preparing our 1st army meal in camp. We met the prisoners below Pueblo on
the Arkansas River about 150 miles south of Denver. The were guarded by
soldiers from Ft. Lyon which is about 240 miles south of Denver. We took the
prisoners to Denver under clost guard and put them in jale there, but they soon
escaped and went into the Southern Army.

     Back in Denver we drilled and raised merry kane. The police made us some
trouble, but not more than we did them. Our principal rations was beef, bread,
and coffee. Christmass was near and we wanted something extra. What money John
and I had when we enlisted had been spent and most of the boys were broke. No
prospect of a Christmas dinner unless we stole it and we did. Many pigs fed on
the scraps from our table, but before Christmas some of them ceased to feed on
anything.

     Barrels were laid down on their sides, pigs enticed in, the barrel raised
on end and carried into the celler, and when he came out he was pork. We
"forayed" a barrel of vinigar left on the sidewalk overnight by a grocery man
several blocks away was in our cellar in the morning.

     A man bought 25 eggs for $2.50 and put them in his hat to carry them home.
One of the boys, a good runner M. P., stood by and while the man was paying for
the eggs, he took hat and all and skipped. Man followed bareheaded, but no
citizen was allowed to pass the guard. We had 50 gallons of good vinegar with
$1.00 per gallon and we traded. Everything not too closely guarded was
appropreated and if not just what we wanted, it was exchanged for something we
wanted. Supplies were so plenty, we enlisted Co. M to eat Christmas dinner with
us. There were good cooks in the Co. and such a dinner for 200 men, all harty,
all in the prime of life, from all parts of the North, some from the middle
South, 2 from Norway, some from Ireland and Germany, 1 from France, had never
been served in Colorado or any other territory.

     Camp Weld was build 2 1/2 miles on above Denver and the regiment was sent
there in the spring of '62 as I remember it, except Co F. We were sent to Ft.
Lyon to protect overland transportation mail coaches, etc., and supposedly to
get us away from Denver. At this place we first associated with regular
soldiers. The regulars under took to set an example for us to follow, but we
set them an example they could not or at least did not follow.

     New Mexico was thinly settled along the stream and some of the vallies and
they were not well protected there being, but a few soldiers at Ft. Union about
120 miles north from Santa Fe and less at Ft. Craig on the Rio Grande, perhaps
150 miles below Pueblo.

     I think that in March '63 we got word that the rebels were coming up the
Rio Grande from Texas in forse and that we must make all possible speed to meet
them. We did make time on that march. All the regiments and two companies of
the Colorado 2nd was started for Ft. Union from different points and we slept,
but little, rested, but little and ate, but little untill there. It was march 4
hours and rest one or two. Army messingers frequently met us. As we crossed the
Ratone Mt. from Trinedad, Colorado into New Mexico, we were met by a snow
storm. Camped for a short hour, made some coffee and ate some bread and raw fat
bacon.

     Many horses and mules and some wagons had been pressed into service, some
of the provisions had been unloaded and most of the men rode at least part of
the time. No more rests, no more coffee after we left the Ratone Mountains.

     All in all, about 950 men walked over 400 miles in 13 days and covered
the last 92 miles in 36 hours. (EHM 3)

     When within about 15 miles of Ft. Union, we met mule teams sent out from
the Ft. to meet us and nearly all rode into Ft. Union about 3 pm, tired, hungry
and sleepy.

     Did they tell us to go to bed? NO! Did they tell us to rest? NO! Had they
prepaired food for us? NO!

     Col. J. P. Slough, in command of the regular troops there, met us or sent
an escort to meet us and we paraded around the Ft. untill after sundown and
then were told to look out for ourselves. We did. About a mile north of the
fort there were a few dwelling houses, a blacksmith shop and a sutler store.
Here, Co F, being mounted, were told to camp. As I remember it, we had for
provisions a little flour or bacon. Of course, there was plenty of provisions
at the fort, but "somebody had blundered" and altho we had lived on bread and
bacon for days, nothing else was in sight at the end of this, probably
unprecedented, march. The "rush" had disaranged everything. Some of us mixed
our flour water and salt in tin cup, made a stiff dough and stuck a piece of
bacon on a long stick, wrapped dough around it and held it over our ample
campfires and much complaint was heard. There was talk of going to the
commander of the fort and "demanding" attention, but it was too far and we were
tired and sleepy as well as hungry.



Colonel Slough
     We had not drawn a cent of pay yet. We had enlisted in August and this was
I think March. Some of the boys had a little money and they bought cheese and
other extras at the sutler store. Finally about 10 pm, one of the boys found a
penny in his pocket and declared he wanted to spend it before he slept. Perhaps
10, possibly more accompanied him. There was one candle still burning in the
store and two clerks preparing to close up and leave. The penny was spent for a
clay pipe, the pipe was filled from an open box of tobacco on the counter and
lighted at the candle. Axcidentally or otherwise, the candle, the only light in
the store, was extinguished... We got to bed before morning neither hungry nor
thirsty. Crackers, cheese, canned goods, dried fruits, wines, ketchups, etc,
had been enjoyed. A box of shoe blacking and a box of sope were carried to the
fort and left near the tents where some regulars were innocently sleeping.

     An inquiry into this affair developed the facts, first, that the soldiers
in Co F were improperly supplied with provisions, second that the proprietor
was at least not lawyal, a fight was pending, and therefore no one was
punished.

     We rested at Ft. Union about 4 days, and were ordered to be prepared to
march the next morning. I was on guard that night and about midnight, boys
brought me bottles of wine, nuts, candies, etc. I enquired about the source and
was told to ask no questions. Corruthers said, "Think what you please, but make
no remarks." Who planned and executed this second raid I cannot say, but I know
an outside cellar door was pried open and quite a little goods was carried out.

     While we were packing up next morning, our camp and our wagons, all but
the officers, were searched, but nothing was found that did not belong there.
Some of the boys left camp before daylight and the captain's cook and his
teammaster were reliable. I always regreted the 2ed raid on the poor sutler.

     We had plenty of "rashions" now and had, I think, drawn a months pay in
Colorado gold dust. Kegs of brandy and cases of wine were carried off and for
two days, some of the boys were in bad plight. All of the 1st Colorado Cavalry
traveled about 15 miles the 1st day and the next day to Las Vegas. The next
night at Santa Rosa we got supper and rested a little. Co F then saddled up and
started out.

     Verry few knew what to expect, but all expected a fight soon. As yet we
were just Colorado troops, not having been acknowledged as US soldiers, had
drawn no money or clothing from US and no provisions untill we arrived at Ft.
Union. We took the Santa Fe road and marched about 20 miles to Kasloskies
Ranch, arriving about one o'clock AM.

     The night was verry dark and still, the road led through a mountainous
sparcely settled country and it was a tedious ride. Pidgeons Ranch five miles
nearer Santa Fe is, I think, about 25 miles from that place so it would appear
that our camp was 30 mile east of Santa Fe.

     We got blankets as soon as possible after reaching camp. Having no
provisions with us, no cooking was done. Some of the men were left at Santa
Rosa as unfit to make the night ride, some were left as an escort, etc and
perhaps 60 of us camped at Kasloskies. About 2 o'clock AM, Lieut. Nelson picked
out 6 men to go with him on a raid of some kind. I expected to be called, but
was not. We got the word that the Texans had possession of Santa Fe and were
camped about 10 miles from us, and the probability was that there were pickets
not far from us. The order on the night ride was not to talk or make any noyes
and that order held good in camp. Nelson and his men went direct to Pidgeons
Ranch and demanded to know it any of the Texans were there. He was told that 6
of them had been there, but had gone off down the road somewhere to camp.

     A guide was procured and as the day began to break, they started out to
find the Texans. About a mile out, the two parties met on an old road in the
mountains a little before sun up. Nelson was west of the others and therefore
between them and their command. The Texans claimed that they thought it was
their own party coming to relieve them. At any rate they were so suprised and
confused when ordered to surrender, they made no hostile resistance and Nelson
brought them in. it is impossible to imagine a more crestfallen lot of men.

     They were fronter men, men of note. Some of them had belonged to the party
that had left Denver the sumer before and that had been captured and taken to
and from Ft. Lyon and had broke jale. Each thought himself abundantly able to
take care of himself, they were splendidly mounted and well armed, but had
surrendered to the enemy of equal number without a struggle. At roll call that
morning we discovered the absence of John Penn, Jo Wells, Jo Walling, Charley
Tedain and possible another of our men. They had deserted in the face of a
battle. They were then and I think now, despised by every living member of our
regiment.

     The prisoners were sent to Ft. Union and perhaps about 11 am, we started
again to find the enemy, but found none untill we arrived at the head of Apache
Canion, 18 miles from Santa Fe at one or two o'clock PM. This canion is perhaps
5 miles long, quite steep with high mountainous bluffs on each side. A wagon
road runs down the center and some of the way there was no surplus room on
either side of this road. Where we first saw the enemy, a side canion comes in
and the main canion makes a turn to the north. The waters of this side canion
had cut a ditch acrost the wagon road about 5 feet deep and 10 or 15 feet wide.
Wagons heavily loaded could go through, but it was a difficult place. By this
time we had ben reenforsed by a small Co of Regular cavalry and I think two
Co's of the Colorado 1st, about 250 men.

     I was near the head of the column and remembered distinctly the 1st rebel
flag I ever saw. It looked very sausy and wicked at the head of their column of
men, about 1/2 mile down the canion. After contemplating the situation for a
few minutes, we marched into a draw on our right and dismounted, every 4th man
holding the horses. We deployed and made ready to receive the heretofore
invincible Texas Rangers. About this time, they turned loos a battery on us,
shots all going wild.



One of Sibley's Texas Rangers
     We marched on foot acrost the canion and there met Lieut. Col. J. M
Shivington, then in command of the advance. Col. asked so as to be heard by our
company and a company of Regular Cavalry "Who will charge that battery?" "I
will!" said Capt. Cook before the Regulars had time to answer. We double
quicked to our horses, mounted and were immediately ordered FORWARD, draw
pistols, trot, gallop, charge. About the time the order came to charge was
given, the report of a rifle shot sounded through the hills and Mort Patterson
threw up his hands, high above his head, and fell backwards from his horse. He
cried "Oh boys, don't leave me!" The shot that unhorsed Mort seemed to be a
signal for just then a puff of smoke seemed to spring from behind every rock
and there were many such. Capt. Cook soon fell some ten feet ahead of me, about
the time we crossed the ditch, with a bullet and three buck shot through his
thigh and a bullet through his foot. Many were unhorsed by being shot and some
by their horses falling, so there were quite a band of loos horses. We were
busy emptying our pistols at men we could (not) see well for dust, smoke and
rock shelter.



Major Chivington
     Major John Chivington was a mountainous, bull-roaring Methodist
preacher in Denver. He turned down an appointment as chaplain so that he could
fight the rebels.

     Chivington is also known as a ruthless Indian killer. On November 29,
1864, just 2 years after the battle described below, he lead two regiments of
Colorado militia in a dawn attack on a Southern Cheyenne camp at Sand Creek.
Their leader, Black Kettle had been gien an American flag at at treaty council
in 1861 and had been told that as long as that flag flew over his village, his
people would be safe.

     Even after Black Kettle came out of his lodge waving this American flag,
Chivington's troupers shot men, women, and children. Nearly every Indian in the
camp was killed. Afterwards, the troupers went through the camp and mutilated
virtually every body. Scalps and breasts were taken back as war trophys. These
events are according to the troupers own accounts.

     Chivington's own words were, "I have come to kill Indians, and believe
that it is right and honorable to use any means under God's heaven to kill
Indians!" "Scalps are what we are after... I long to be wading in gore!"

     Events like these led to Custer's massacre in 1876. (EHM 3)

     I soon found that my horse was unmanagable, the bridle having been cut on
the side of the head letting the bit out of his mouth. As most of the fighting
was now on our left, the loos horses and those that were unmanagable left the
road and went into some scattering timber on our right, mine with some others.
I realized by his actions that my faithfull little gray was serioussly hurt, so
dismounted as soon as I could get him stopped. I found that his color had
apparently been his undoing for I found four bullet holes in him. I left horse,
saddle, and bridle there, and with the help of a comrad, John Webber, captured
a fine horse completely and well equipped, and we hastely joined our Co. They
had failed to get the battery, it having fled down the canion and our Co was
too cut up and confused to follow. I found the Co reorganizing and taking care
of 50 or 60 prisoners. The ground was strewed with all kinds of soldiers
fixtures, including many guns of all patterns. The enemy had made quite a
fight, but as we rode on just the same, they finally collapsed and gave it up
and surrendered in a bunch.

     My fine horse was soon claimed by a scout and I was obliged to give him
up. I got a big mule, loaded him with supplies from the ground, and got on top
of it all and, at about dark, we started on our return to Pidgeons Ranch. It
had been a busy day, Lieut. Nelson was of course in command, ably assisted by
Lieut. Marshall. The latter ordered the boys to destroy all arms they could not
carry away with them, but told them to be careful about breaking guns as some
of them might be loaded. Soon after, he picked up a gun by the mussel and hit
it against a stump, and it exploded and he got the contents through his
stomach. All wounded were carried back to Pidgeons where we, with them, and the
dead arrived about 10 o'clock PM.

     I spent the night with the wounded, it being the most miserable night I
had ever spent. My old friend Mort Dutro, shot through the stomach and the head
died, as did Lieut. Marshal, before morning. Capt Cook suffered all night. I
russelled for food and water for all wounded, and what time I could spare, I
followed up the doctors, trying to get my friends attended to. Mort was
consious untill near morning, and I finally got a doctor to examine him, but he
said it was no use, as either wound was fatal. He said if I had the material to
japan the scull, I might do it successfully, but I have not and the other wound
would no doubt prove fatal anyway.

     I staid with Capt Cook untill daylight, and then got a little sleep. That
day we burried Lieut. Marshall, Dutro, Johnson, and Thompson. Flags of truce
were exchanged and no fighting was done and we fell back to Kasloskies leaving
our wounded at Pidgeons. I slept that night, the 1st all nights sleep since
leaving Ft. Union.

     The next morning, I think it was the 27 of March, 1862, we advanced again
to Pidgeons, about 9 or 10 o'clock. A picked guard that was supposed to be west
of there rode west as we rode up. They had been there all night and not being
relieved at daylight as they should have been, had come back to Pidgeons for
breakfast. We made a verry short stop at Pidgeons and continued west and soon
met this picket who reported the enemy verry clost in forse.

     All our regiment was now ready to give battle, but we only numbered about
1300 men and as we had learned that the Rangers had from 5 to 7 hundred more,
strategy was used. We expected to meet them 4 or 5 miles west of pidgeons, and
so Lieut. Schivington took 500 of our men and with an efficient Mexican guide,
went into the mountains to get in their rear. This left us about 800 men, 500
Colorado troops and 300 Regulars, to meet their whole force. We deployed to the
right and left of road, our men dismounting. Went FORWARD untill we heard the
fight begin. We were on the left of road in a depression when we heard volly
after volley at our left and in front. I think it was Cos K and G that were
engaged. Artillery on both sides opened briskly, all the shots passing over Co
F, cutting through the treetops and making a terrible noise. It afterwards
developed that Co K and G had been ambushed, a brush fence shielding the
Rangers, and had met a force that used them so rough they retreated, some of
the wounded being taken to the rear passed in plain sight of our company.

     Our whole force was ordered to fall back which we did slowly untill we got
to Pidgeons where we took possession of a large adobe corrall just west of the
house and between the two forces. and the most advanced of our forces. We had
not, I think, fired a shot yet that day, altho the ballance of our party had
done considerable fighting. Nelson was in command and told us to be prepared
for a charge from the Rangers, but they didn't charge then.

     The corrall, made of mud dried, afforded ample protection and now we had
opportunity to empty our carbines at the enemies advance, but our gunners got
careless and occassoinally dropped grapeshot verry clost to us, and we were
ordered to take possession of a point of rocks north of the house. As we began
to move, we became exposed to the enemy and their bullets came thick and fast,
but I believe that no one was struck.

     The rocky point gave us a better view and we could see the enemy trying to
flank us, advancing along a natural ditch. We could not see too much of them
except their heads, but we kept up a scattering fire for hours from this point
and the report said the dead in this ditch was evidence that we did good
exacution. About 4 o'clock, the enemy moved most or all of their forces to the
south side of the wagon road, still cautiously advancing.

     We could see they were preparing for a charge and made arrangements to
receive them. We were ordered back east of the house where our horses were
being held in some underbrush out of sight and several hundred of our men were
consealed by brush, and by lying on the ground, something like 100 yards west
of our battery, that kept up a steady fire over them and us. It was perhaps 4
pm when they gave the rebble yell and came FORWARD through the trees, double
quick.

     The woods were full of them and the situation looked serious to us for a
short time. Our men could not be seen, and there were so many of them, and they
made such a noise as they rushed., and it looked as though they would get our
artillery sure. But as they drew near, our battery was charged with grape and
canester and depressed, and when they reached the concealed troops, the latter
rose and delivered volly after voley at clost range, it was too much for them
and they broke and fled. Co F was then ordered FORWARD on foot and we followed
them through the trees on their retreat. Dodging from tree to tree, we kept
them going, until ZIP! Something hit my leg. It did not hurt much, but numbed
my leg somewhat. I did not feel like advancing, but was not disabled then, but
no knowing how soon the company might be ordered back, I thought best to get
back while I could, so, without saying anything to anybody, I walked back to
our horses. I asked for my horse, and one of the boys brought me Johns instead.
I rode alone to the rear where the Dr. had a wagon for a hospital by the side
of the road. The ounce ball had entered half way between the knee and foot and
passed nearly through. Doc cut a hole in back of leg and put in a hook and
pulled out the flattened ounce ball. Horse was sent back to Company and I got
into ambulance.

     We had retreated all day and those that did not know the arrangements
thought we were getting the worst of it, but our object was to keep Rangers
busy untill Shivington could get in their rear, distroy their supplies, and
attack them in their rear. We heard nothing from him untill after dark when
they all came in. Shivington had been successful in distroying their supplies,
had burned their wagons and everything combustable, had spiked one canon and
dumped it in a ditch, killed their mules, etc, but he didn't feel strong enough
to follow up the Rangers and attack them. He had, with his 500 men, started
about daylight, marched over the mountains 12 miles without even a trail, had
defeated their rear guard after a sharp skirmish, and returned without loosing
a man.

     I visited the site where the mules were killed and the wagons were
burned at the West end of the canyon. The yellow flowered bushes grow
especially lush there. I think that the bones of the mules provide fertilizer
for this growth. (EHM 3)

     We retreated to Pidgeons. J.C. and George Frost got a tent for me and
raised it, but as soon as it was up, and while they were staking it, other
wounded men got in and filled it, leaving me still on the grass outside. They
got another and guarded so well that I was the 1st man in. The camp was on the
south side of road acrost from Pidgeons.

     The Union forces were ordered back to Ft. Union. It then appeared that our
Col. J. P. Slough had advanced to meet the Rangers without orders, and he was
ordered to turn over the command to Shivington and report at Washington, DC,
which he did. I was left with other wounded at Pidgeons and lay in a tent with
two other men. Both of them died and I suffered immencely, but I lived. Three
or four days after the forces left for Ft., we were put into freight wagons and
started for the same place.

     About 22 miles SW of Union is Las Vegas (The Meadows). Near there are some
hot springs and a one story house had been erected there for the accomodation
of health and pleasure seekers. Some bath houses had been built over the
springs and by means of troughs made by cutting trenches in small pine logs,
both hot and cold water was conducted to the bath tubs inside. We took
possession of this building, about 20 by 50 feet as I remember it, and it made
an ideal place for us. The mountain stream rolled rapidly over its rocky bed,
through a beautifull valley with mountains 1/2 mile apart, grand and fine,
partly covered by evergreen trees. Here we were as content as men could be
under the circumstances.

     I don't know how many of us were there, but enough for what room there
was. As they were carying me into the big room past a bedroom occupied by Capt.
Cook, he called out "Is that you Ben?" "Yes Cap." "Well bring him in here
boys." So I had the privaledge of messing with our verry pleasant Captain
during my convalesance, while the others filed a large dining room
uncomfortably full.

     I think I was in bed here about 10 days. After that I got out on crutches,
took baths in the natural hot water, and loafed and visited those still
confined to their beds. About this time our Dr. asked Bill Patt (another
convalesant) and me if we wanted to go with him and see him cut a Mexicans leg
off. About 1/2 mile down the canion, we found the patient, living in a log
cabin with a woman, perhaps his wife, for a nurse. One of his knees was a big
as his body and he could not stand. After putting him to sleep, and banding his
leg near his body, the Dr. severed the leg, all except the bone, at one stroke.
He smiled and said "Pretty well done." He then crowded the flesh up from the
cut, leaving about an inch of bone exposed and sawed it off as high up as he
could, took up the arteries, and left him. What was left of him was able to be
out on crutches soon and he got well.

     I remained at these springs 30 days, and about that same time at Union
with the Regulars, and then went, with the others, to my regiment and my
company. I found them perhaps 250 miles down the "Rio Grande" from Santa Fe,
camped on the bank of the river, at the foot of some sand hills, in the brush.

     While making the trip I passed over both our battle fields and was quite
surprised to find how little of the country I could remember. It looked quite
different from what it did in battle. Shivington was in command of the
regiment, and Wilson now 1st Lieut., in command of Co. Nelson having, for some
cause, resigned. Wilson had been our orderly Sargent and not popular, but with
Nelson resigned, and Marshal dead, he became 1st Lieut., and a fine fellow.
Solan N. Ackley was made 2nd Lieut.

     I already stated that we met the regiment between Pidgeons and Union on
their way south to follow up and drive the Rangers out of the country. John
gave me some money as they passed our hospital train and said "If we ever find
them Texans, I intend to make them suffer for shooting you." They did find them
and John made his words good as I soon learned after reaching their camp. Co F
had met the enemy at Val Verde, and John had led a charge and captured a wagon
train, some artillery, horses, supplies, etc and was wearing Sargeant stripes.
I was at Craig, but a short time when I was one of a detail to escort our
paymaster back to Union. I had a good horse, roads and weather were fine, as
they most always are in Colorado and New Mexico. We had a pleasant crowd and
rode 40 to 50 miles a day and had a splendid time.


PREV <==    NEXT ==>

Ben Franklin Ferris - Introduction
Ben Franklin Ferris - 1838-1846
Ben Franklin Ferris - 1846-1857
Ben Franklin Ferris - The Early Years
Ben Franklin Ferris - Civil War
Ben Franklin Ferris - After the War
Ben Franklin Ferris - Mexican Civil War
Ben Franklin Ferris - On to Montana
Ben Franklin Ferris - Last Words
Ben Franklin Ferris - Epilogue
Battle of Apache Canyon and Pigeon's Ranch
Fort Union National Monument
Bibliography


Preface to These Documents. (Brief)
Family History
Ben Franklin Ferris - Memoir
Edna Clair Ferris - Diary.
Mallory Home Page