I hurried back to the camp and told the general that I knew where to pick up the trail.

Company I, commanded by a little red-headed chap--Lieutenant Earl D.Thomas--was the first to report, mounted, at the adjutant's office.

Thomas had but lately graduated from West Point.
His sole instructions were: "Follow Cody and be off quick." As he rode away General Emory called after him: "I will support you with more troops as fast as they are saddled." The lieutenant followed me on the run to the spot where I saw the Indians disappear.

Though the redskins had an hour and a half start on us, we followed them, on a gallop, till we could see that they had begun to drive their horses in a circle, and then in one direction after another, making the trail uncertain.

It was getting dark, but I succeeded in keeping on some of the tracks.
All that night the Indians endeavored, by scattering their horses, to throw us off the trail.