2. In a rock shelter in Soldier Canyon, near the confluence with Freezeout Canyon in Baca County, Colorado, is found this inscription. J. O’Hare Co. I, 5 th Cav.
5. Old Fort Lyons On December 2, 1868, the 5 th Cavalry left Fort Lyons, Colorado, and rode south as the Northern prong of General Sheridan’ s winter campaign against the southern Plains tribes.
12. December 5, 1868 – a blizzard struck the 5 th Cavalry in Soldier and Freezeout Canyons, Baca County, Colo. Illustration from Buffalo Bill’s autobiography.
14. In a rock shelter in Soldier Canyon, near the confluence with Freezeout Canyon, is found this inscription - J. O’Hare Co. I, 5 th Cav. A member of the expedition, he apparently carved this while they were waiting out the blizzard, not knowing if they would live or die there.
15. In February, 2010, Pamela Rasfeld sent to me the image of the military enlistment register above, which shows that “John O'Hare appears about a dozen lines down. He enlisted in Detroit and if you scan across you'll see that he served in CO. I, 5th Cavalry.”
Carr’s column from above left at Fort Lyon. Major Evan’s column from Fort Union, New Mexico, on the left. The third comumn from Fort Dodge was commanded by General Alfred Sully and accompanied by General Phil Sheridan.
