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Thomas, W. N. (fl. 1873) [1873 Army Letters and Telegrams]

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC05731.02 Author/Creator: Thomas, W. N. (fl. 1873) Place Written: Sparta, Wisconsin Type: Manuscript document Date: 19 December 1873 - 28 December 1873 Pagination: 24 p. ; 24.7 x 19.4 cm. Order a Copy

The retained copy book record of army officers' letters and telegraphs concerning the affairs of the Twentieth Infantry. Discusses the removal of the Winnebago tribe of Indians, which is being hampered by white men who trade with the tribe, specifically a lawyer named Lee. To ease the removal the army has captured Indians in a series of raids, including a chief named Big Hawk and seventy three of his men. One letter asserts that the best time to launch a raid is during a feast. Also deals with rations for the troops. Most of the letters were composed by W. N. Thomas, with a signature at the bottom. It is possible that he wrote and signed these copies himself, since those letters from other men are written in different hands, making it possible that these men were putting his own entries into the book and signing them. Also contains letters from E. T. Hunt, Alfred H. Terry, H.G. Thomas, W. H. H. Cash, and J. S. Stafford.

Thomas, W. N., fl. 1873

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