He told me I need not report back to General Hazen, as he had more important work for me to do.

The Fifth Cavalry, one of the finest regiments of the army, was on its way to the Department of the Missouri, and he was going to send an expedition against the Dog Soldier Indians who were infesting the Republican River region.
"Cody," he said, "I am going to appoint you guide and chief of scouts of the command.

How does that suit you ?" I told him it suited me first rate and thanked him for the honor.
The Dog Soldier Indians were a band of Cheyennes and of unruly, turbulent members of other tribes who would not enter into any treaty, and would have kept no treaty if they had made one.

They had always refused to go on a reservation.

They got their name from the word "Cheyenne," which is derived from chien, the French word for "dog." On the third of October the Fifth Cavalry arrived at Fort Hays, and I at once began making the acquaintance of the members of the regiment.
General Sheridan introduced me to Colonel Royal, the commander, whom I found a gallant officer and an agreeable gentleman.