We operated along the south fork of the Cheyenne and about the foot of the Black Hills for two weeks, and had several small engagements with roving bands of Indians during that time.
All these bands were ugly and belligerent, and it was plain from the spirit they showed that there had been a general understanding among all the redskins thereabout that the time had come to drive the white man from the country.
Brevet-General Wesley Merritt, who had lately received his promotion to the colonelcy of the Fifth Cavalry, now took command of the regiment.

I regretted that the command had been taken from General Carr.

I was fond of him personally, and it was under him that the regiment made its fine reputation as a fighting organization.

I soon became well acquainted with General Merritt, however, and found him to be a brave man and an excellent officer.
The regiment did continuous and hard scouting.

We soon believed we had driven all the hostile Indians out of that part of the country.