They are more bold, fierce, and desperate in their assaults than ever before.

It is impossible to drive them out and protect the families at the same time, for they are better armed, mounted, disciplined, and better officered than our men.
Each hour brings intelligence of fresh barbarities, and more extensive robberies." This same month Governor Crawford, of Kansas, telegraphed, "Have just received a despatch from Hays, stating that Indians attacked, captured, and burned a train at Pawnee Fork; killed, scalped, and burned sixteen men; also attacked another train at Cimarron Crossing, which was defended until ammunition was exhausted, when the men abandoned the train, saving what stock they could.

Similar attacks are of almost daily occurrence." South of the Cimarron all was desolation, and war raged unchecked from the Platte to the Pecos.

Sheridan determined upon a winter campaign, although he understood well the sufferings entailed upon the troops by exposure on the open plains at that season.

Yet he knew the habits of Indians; that they would expect immunity from attack and would gather in villages, subject to surprise.