Diary of R. E. Ruby, Angelina County, Texas R100 Submitted by: Lillie Ruby switw@aol.com 24 Oct 2001 ==================================================================== USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, data may be used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or for presentation by other persons or organizations. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for purposes other than stated above must obtain the written consent of the file contributor. ==================================================================== Note there are some discrepancies with this Diary, but I believe there are the result of transcribing older handwriting and typos. The first being the only R. E. in the known family was Rosena Elizabeth who certainly wasn't a soldier. However, Elijah Lambert Ruby did served in New Mexico and was a hospital attendent. The date of March 1856 couldn't be possible as the war hadn't started and the Battle of Glorieta Pass was about 6 years away. However, a typo would make this 1865, still not the date of the battle, but perhaps that was when he wrote his memories. Note by Archivist: Using the fact that the 26 April was identified below as a Sunday, it would mean the year had to be 1863. Dairy of R. E. Ruby (probably Elijah Lambert Ruby) March 30th-July 6th 1856 March 30th-the first of a small portion of the 2nd and 3rd Regiments of Sibley's Bridgae Co. Major Pynon' Command marched into Santa Fe after achieving a glorious victory on the Battle field of Glorieta on the 28th of the same month. We marched into Santa Fe at the burst of dawn of the day all worn out with fatigue and hunger and cold, sleeping four nights without blankets. I slept on. While we were engaged on the battle field the Federals sent ten hunderd around through the mountains where our wagons were and mess them up. Last again our blankets and clothes leaving today. Found clothes at Cantante. Now we were in a comfortable situation in good quarters, plenty to eat. I was then detailed to go to hospital and wait on our sick and wounded men our Brigade moved down to Albuquerque to meet Camby coming from Craig. I was at the hospital about two week then the Federals came around through the country and took us all prisoners and made us take the Colts ordered us to march to Union immediately for the purpose of being tranported to our respective homes. For 25 days this march was. Pridgens Ranch 25 miles, from there in Sin-Iose-30 miles, camped Los Peist and at Frucatlotu. Started at sunrise and camped CvVegoo stayed there 2 hours and came to Sappen and camped making entrance into Santa Fe on the 23rd of April. 26-Sunday morning we left camp about sunrise and landed in Ft. Union about 12 o'clock making a march of 15 miles resting our weary limbs and then was conducted to our quarters with order not to go near the new Fort for if we did we would be put under guard and kept in close confinement. 27-Nothing strange ocurred today worth penciling and more then it looks very much like raining or snowing one cannot tell this is such a strange country. Colonel Roberts arrived at the Post today and I suppose we will know what will be done with us in the morning. 29-No news today more than we have received orders to march in the morning. 30-To Ft. Wise under an escort and from thence to Ft. Smith in Arkansas and from thence home. 30th-We left Union this morning at 10 o'clock and traveled 28 miles camped on Riya Creek May 1st-Left camp this morning under considerable excitment as last night about midnight Cottn and a Mexican made their escape they were not parolled, we marched 31 miles and camped at a town called Reiya on Louse River. The country we passed through yesterday and today has been very pretty country generally speaking for a mountionus region like this. 2nd-Marched from Reiya to Maxwell Ranch 15 miles, this ranch is situated in a beautiful vally with a pleasant runnign stream in 20 paces of a beautiful mansion. Also, there is a very good mill situated on this creek. After taking some refreshments, I walked down to the store saw some very fine stock. The greast coursity here is a Mexican cur that was caught by the Indians and sold to the Miller. It is about four months old much larger than a dog, also a camel and a buffalo and various other sights to be seen in a wilderness country like this. 3rd-Left Maxwell Ranch at 9 o'clock under great excitment. Two prisoners made their escape from the guard last night. The Lieut. in command started in search for them and appointed Capt. Jorden to take charge of us and the boys cursed and abused him and told him that they would not be commanded by him nor no such a Whiskey Key as he was. Weal we left camp every man his own way, we marched 15 miels and camped in a creek. The name I do not know. 4th--Left camp about sunrise this morning, marched to one prong of the head waters of Red River and camped making a distance of 27 miles 5th--Left Red River at sunup and marched 18 miles and camped on a spring branch the name I do not know. Passed through the Raltoon Mounts. 6th--Left camp at sunup and marched 25 miles to Picett Wier one of the main prongs of the Arkansas River. The bands on the Picet are rich, some Jew settlements on there, too. 7th--Left at sunrise and marched 30 iles and camped at the Hole in the Rock. This hole is in a large rock and it is about 25 feet deep in water and that of the best. 8th--Left camp by sunup and marched 8 miles cooked breakfast graised the mules and marched on. A small party took the lead and went about 25 miles to where the wagons should have come and restes thinking they would come up to us but they stopped 10 miles back wondered wheither to stay there without our blankets and nothing to eat of go back to camp. So we concluded some 5 or 6 of us go back. We started at sundown the wind almost at its highest pitch. On we went traking againest the wind it drove us almost to the ground at times but at last we came in sight of their fires new courage arose in us and on we went until we got up pretty close then suspirsion arose whether they were Indian fires or ours. One light was before us and two more to our left. We came to the conclusion to risk that two on our left let them be Indians or not as there was a veavy rain before us. So on we went to the nearest fire and when we reached it we found some of our boys laying around the fire some asleep and others awake, we were very much rejoinced to find them there so we coiled down by the fire and rested very well until day. Went to the wagons and cooked breakfast and went on the wagons left us and we are moving on. 9th-Left camp before sunrise marched__ miles and got breakfast and moved on 18 miles got dinner and camped on the Arkansas River about two hours in the night making a distance of 40 miles. One of the escorts killed a beef and the Lieut. found out and had him and one other arrested and tied to the wagon and guard over them. 10th-Left camp early and came to the river and crossed it at the old fort called Rents Old Fort. We had to strip off and wade came about 2 miles down the river and camped. Making a distance of 12 miles. Went to the Fort and drawed rations as we were out of provisions. 11th-Left camp and marched 10 miles and camped on the river just after we struck camp a wagon came in from Wise with provisions 12th--Left camp early and came to Fort Wise and rested awhile then marched 2 miles below the Fort and struck camp. The distance we traveled was ___. This Fort is situated on the Arkansas River in a beautiful valley of the richest land I have seen since traveling the Territory. 13th-Laid up today in order wash and rest our sore feet for traveling tomorrow. 14th--Left Wise about 10 o'clock made a march of 14 miles 15th-Did not leave camp today the Lieut. sent an Express back to the Fort that we were about to revolt or would do so as soon as we got farther down the country. The Express was for them to send reinforcements. They have just got into camp. 16th--Left camp at 10 o'clock and marched 18 miles 17th-Left camp at sunup marched 18 miles topped to each dinner and then marched 5 miles farther and camped making a march of 23 miles. 18th--Left camp early marched 18 miles got dinner and marched on 5 miles and camped making 23 miles 19th--traveled 18 miles got dinner went 8 miles farther and camped making 26 miles, rained all night. 20th--marched 15 miles got dinner and marched 7 miles and camped making 22 miles 21th--marched 14 miles and got dinner drove on 6 miles and camped making 20 miles 22nd-marched 19 miles today passed soem emigrants going to New Mexico from Missouri had some very fine cattle along. 23rd--made a march of 20 miles 24th--made a march of 25 miles today 2 or the escorts killed a buffalo brought some of it in camp 25th-made 28 miles and camped by some Indians they came to our camp and spoke with us, had some very fine horses sold one of them to one of th escorts 26th--marched 15 miles today to Fort Larnud and camped 3 miles down on the Pawee Fork River this is beautiful with Elm and Cottonwood timber and Ash growing onit. Beautiful valleys of rich land lay on both sides of the river. 27th-laid up and rested for 10 days and orders to march to Fort Leavenworth. 28th--Laid in camp until 12 o'clock and marched 10 miles and camped at the two lane cottonwoods had one team of our oxen taken by the Indians so we have to pack our blankets. 29th-marched to Walnut Creek 20 miles and camped with 200 Kansas Volunteer going to Union, found our oxen at 12 o'clock more Indians camped on this creek. 30th-marched to Turtle Creek 12 miels camped, found wood and water plenty and a beautiful camp. Killed 2 buffalos one this day and one this evening (that is the escort did) marched to Smoky Hill marched 8 miles and camped had to wade. Two escorts killed 3 buffalos. June 1st-marched 25 miles today Dr. Manney killed a buffalow 2d-marched 18 miles passed through the town of Salina in Smoky Hill Valley and camped on Salina Creek after crossing at the Ferry. 3rd-marched 10 miles crossed the Salina in a ferry boat and camped 10 miles from the ferry making a march of 20 miles. 4th--marched 15 miles and camped on the Salina the settlements on the river are very thick and the richest land and best stock country in the world. Timber is scarce. 5th--marched 15 miles passing through Junction City and crossing Republican River and here we found Ft Reiley a beautiful place there is 1000 Calavary here but will leave soon for Fort Leavenworth. 6th--Still at this post and will be until they get orders from the Col. commanding this division 7th-no word of importance concerning us yet. Drawed rations from the Federal Comassary this morning for ten days. 8th-no news and plenty to eat. Boys are getting fat and saucy quarrel with the Yankees. 9th-nothering new as yet about our marching orders 10th--4 companies of the Kansas 2nd will leave here on the 11th for Ft. Scott 11th--Capt. Commanding at this post formed us in a line in front of his quarters called the roll and took our kitchen knives from us and said he would return them when we left here. 12th-orders to move into quarters this evening 13th--the calculation is we will remain here sometime, called the roll and took our names and regiment and company and where taken at. 14th & 15th-nothering worth writing only the 15th which was on Sunday I went to Preaching. The Preacher read a chapter in a little primmer and then a hymn and called on the Rebels to lead in singing. Someone raised the tune and then the balance that could sing pitched in on Bass and Trebble, after the hymn a long prayers ensued in which he called upon the Lord to have mercy upon his (the Lords) son the President fo the United States, and his Superior officers. While he was preaching the soldiers in the room below broke out of Lenox and were on a high string. Some shouting while others were singing. July 1--Left Keeley today at 12 o'clock after resting 25 days. Marched to Wild Cat Springs 12 miles and camped. 2nd--from Wild Cat Spring marched to Manhatton and camped making 20 miles 3rd-from camp to Silver Lake 24 miles. Passed a great many Indians settlements of the Pottawatomies. All civilized. From silver Lake on the 4th made 25 miles, 5th marched 25 miles 6th marched from camp to the Fort 15 miles.