Get'Em Boys

The Seventh United States Cavalry Regiment was one of those units that were operating on the Kansas Plains in 1867.  Organized at Fort Riley in 1866, the Seventh was still green, a fledging regiment who had yet to win their "spurs" against hostile Indians.  On June 24, 1867, Captain Alvert Barnitz and his Company G., Seventh Cavalry, arrived at Fort Wallace as escort for a railroad surveying party.  There was only a handful of soldiers at the post, including a few infantrymen and troopers of the Seventh's Company.

On the bright morning of Wednesday, June 26, 1867, Barnitz was on his way to breakfast when a large party of some 300 or more Cheyenne Indians appeared at Pond Creed Stage Station, some three miles west of the Fort.  The captain mounted his horse and galloped ahead, accompanied by his bugler, Edward Botzer.  About a half a mile from the post Barnitz drew rein, and scanned the horizon that was swarming with feathered warriors.

This painting captures the moment when  Barnitz was joined by the rest of his command.  The battle lasted three hours, but the Cheyenne were driven off.  The Seventh lost six dead and six wounded, while the Indian causalities were estimated at twenty.  The fledgling regiment was fledgling no more, having fought and won an engagement that was the first significant Indian fight since the Fetterman Massacre of 1866.  Barnitz was seriously wounded at the battle of the Washita in 1868, and retired from the Army in 1870.  Hi died in 1912.

Bugler Edward Botzer eventually became a Sergeant with company G of the 7th Calvary.  He died in the Valley Fight on June 25, 1876 at the Battle of Little Big Horn leading his men on a retreat across the river towards higher ground known as Reno Hill.
Written by Eric Niderost
