Butler Center for Arkansas Studies, Central Arkansas Library System, 100 Rock Street, Little Rock, Arkansas 72201
Paul Dolle Civil War Collection
http://www.digital.butlercenter.org/cgi-bin/showfile.exe?CISOROOT=/findingaids&CISOPTR=183&filename=184.xml
The below is transcribed as written, best I can tell, with my comments in brackets [ ]. This appears to be written in retrospect from his wording at times. The Oklahoma weather in July 1863 seems to be about the same as July 2011.
Ken
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June 28, 1862 [Baxter Springs] Two Regts Indian arrived on June 25 and camped with us. Col Weir [sic] assumed command of the whole force then called Indian Expedition. Paymaster came the 20th. grand review the 27th. all Indian etc turned out in and in the evening came marching orders. March to Hudson's Crossing. [across the Neosho on Ft Scott-Ft Gibson Road just above the mouth of Spring River].
June 29, March to Cowskin Prairie (camp Round Grove) [north side of present Grove OK from whence the town gets it's name]. Weather very hot and dry. had to march 24 miles without water but at Round Grove.
June 30 saw the enemy running.
July 1st rest
July 2nd marched about 8-10 miles
July 3rd marched about 20 miles (west of Maysville) [Arkansas]
July 4th Rest
July 5th Foraging parties sent out
July 6th marching
July 7th marching
July 8th marching. Col. Weir brought the command up to a sandy hill (no water within 3 miles from camp) and had the idea of digging wells and there fortifying said sand hill -- beautiful prospect for the summer season. Boys called the camp = Camp Despiration. Men, horses and mules suffered greatly, road being dry and dusty and no water fit to drink. Thermometer 100 degrees (Fahrenheit)
July 9th Were compelled to move camp to a place where water could be had. Went some miles to Flat Stone Creek [apparently Flat Rock Creek north of present Wagoner OK]. no rain. camp very dusty. weather hot. Thermometer on one day 118 degrees in the shade (in Dr John's [?] tent).
July 18th Col Weir arrested. Col. F. Salomon in command. A very interesting night.
July 19th at 2 o.c. a.m. ready to march and marching in a northerly direction about 20 miles. all in good spirts again, except Col Weir and the 10 Kansas.
July 20 Marching to Wolf Creek
July 21 Marching
July 22 Marching
July 23 Marching arrived at Hudson's Crossing
July 24 & 25th Rest
July 26th Regt with the exception of some companies marched to Quaw Paw [Quapaw] Nation. fine water (we knew to appreciate it)
Aug 4 The companies at post Hudson's Crossing joined the command at Quaw Paw.