Five Years a Dragoon ('49 to '54;)

Whilst the greatest effort has been made to ensure the quality of this text, due to the historical nature of this content, in some rare cases there may be minor issues with legibility. At the close of a busy life, interspersed with exciting adventures, I find myself living in the past enjoying the recollections of old comrades and business associates, the scenes in which we mingled in early manhood, the bivouac under the blue sky, the faithful vigil of the weary sentinel for the safety of all.<br><br>The living who know of the truthfulness of statements herein made are few, but the records live.<br><br>Always blessed with a good memory, it seemed to be renewed - to come to my assistance, as, step by step, I travel the old roads and recount the incidents of long ago.<br><br>Fortunately I kept an accurate daily journal of some of the campaigns of which I write, and have only to copy extracts, brief, but comprehensive enough without being too voluminous.<br><br>My recollection of Fort Riley were first embodied in an address delivered before the Kansas State Historical Society. Referring to this address I received many letters of congratulation and approval.