Excerpts from "A Tale of Home and War", Pages 169-177.

"Kanawiski" is the missionary Rev. Worcester Willey who was stationed at Dwight Mission where he attempted to remain during the war. When the mission school closed and all financial support was cut off, he left his children at the mission (the oldest being Adele who was 17 in 1864), and found work at Ft Gibson during the summers.

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[169]
… By the national council [of the ‘Northern” faction of the Cherokee Nation], Kanawiski [Willey], with one other man, had been appointed to canvass the district to [170] ascertain what families were destitute of food, and to supply their need by purchasing corn of those who had surplus. Though there was now comparative quiet, this expedition was attended with some
danger, and Kanawiski’s companion in appointment refused to serve.

Kanawiski ventured forth [from Ft. Gibson] on the mission which was to relieve the destitute from suffering. He also determined at this time to remove his family to Fort Gibson, and for this purpose he took an ox team, and his son [Charles, age 14] accompanied him. On his way up the creek he came to the home of Mrs. Buffalo, then went on, purchased and distributed what corn he found, and returned to the family on Saturday evening. [November 5, 1864]

It now being the Sabbath [Sunday, Nov. 6], and a sermon from the “National Preacher” being at hand, he called the family together for a reading of the same. He had not proceeded far when the dogs began to bark. He hastened to the door only to find himself at the point of twenty guns, which were leveled at him by the band of rebel soldiers just arrived…

[171]
… From his head was taken the hat he wore, and an old straw one was given him to take its place… The pockets of the missionary were made to give forth their contents, and now was discovered and taken the gold watch of the missionary mother [his late wife], which Kanawiski had succeeded in keeping until this hour. Then, a guard having been appointed, he was led away to be conducted to the main body of the forces, six thousand in number, then passing about two miles distant.

The army was that of General Price on its retreat from a raid into Missouri. Soon they would cross the Arkansas, where they would be reinforced and be practically out of reach of the pursuing northern troops.

Upon arrival and examination of the missionary, it was decided that he remain a prisoner until the army made good their escape by crossing the river…

[172]
… The army moved on. They came to a point of the woods which stretched to the left and east of their course, while on the south lay a long swell of land,[173] concealing by its height, the woods beyond. They turned and followed the woods half a mile to the east to avoid wet ground and then made a curve to the swell of land that brought them directly in a line
moving west, till they were opposite the rear forces, with whom was Kanawiski, and then disappeared over the hill. That curve was a grand military display, for as regularly they moved the swell of land they were, to those in the rear, moving along the southern horizon, each man, horse and military wagon being clearly seen in relief against the sky.

Having arrived at their place of encampment, they spent the remaining hours in cutting a road down the river to a ford where they could cross. The next morning, by early light, they began again the work of cutting, and by nine o’clock the army entered the road, keeping up with the cutting. By three o’clock in the afternoon, they were at the ford three miles below, where they had first reached the river. At the sight of the ford, there arose from the army a rending shout. They would now be safe from their pursuers.

Kanawiski was now free. He sat down upon the sand, and saw them ford the river. The water was from three to four feet deep, the horses and men so worn that it was with great difficulty they made their way through the current. When most of the men were over, Kanawiski turned to retrace his way. He wandered on through the woods, until he reached the deserted camps of the morning. There he found beef [174] already cooked, which furnished him a strengthening repast. He also found two old blouses and some old coverlids and saddle blankets which the rebels had through away, that he took home and cleaned, and which furnished him with needed clothing and the little family with bedding in the cold weather then near at hand.

He reached home late in the evening. Again he escaped captivity alive…

[175] …At daybreak one morning a bugle was heard. Thinking it might be union forces on the way to Fort Gibson, Kanawiski investigated until he found the encampment to be that of union soldiers pursuing the army of Gen. Price. He reported the crossing of the river, and the troops turned back.

As the missionary left, the commander advised him to go to the Mission, telling him union troops were there, and that they would doubtless take whatever they found. This Kanawiski hastened to do. He arrived at the Mission just in time to see the remnant of his [176] possessions moved off. He complained to the commander, who told him in reply, if he saw anything of his to take it out of the wagons. This he proceeded to do, but whatever he took was replaced, and his efforts were of no avail.

As he had approached the Mission premises, the first sight which had met his eye was the driving of the Mission cows in a corner, and the shooting them for beef. Now, as the last of the troops moved off, to the wagon in the rear was attached the yoke of oxen with which he was t take his family to Fort Gibson.

Here he was, exposed to an attack of the enemy, and his family equally exposed, and the last means of removal taken away. That was more than he could endure.

The commander was far in advance, and the column, a mile long, was moving; but he determined to have the oxen, if he pursued them to Kansas. A mounted officer volunteered to hasten to the head of the column and obtain an order to the effect that they should be given up; and after a walk of six miles, Kanawiski received the order, and obtained the oxen. He went back to the Mission. What a scene was before him! The place once sacred with all that makes the “dearest spot on earth” was now literally a slaughter yard. Remains of cattle and swine strewed the ground, many animals lying untouched where they fell. …

[177]
… Everything had now been taken…