"Crazy Dog also called Pope Ledger" and Bourke drawings

[rodthomas]

Howdy and hope all is well with everyone. Mari Sandoz's Cheyenne Autumn, contains her description of the 1875 Sappa Creek "battle" between mostly Southern and some Northern Cheyennes fleeing the Oklahoma reservation. I've been researching Sandoz and her writings especially her histories. LT Henley, the officer in charge of the army element, "recovered" a ledger book after the engagement. I believe it is in the USMA Library Archives in the "Pope" collection named for the general in charge of the area. There is also in that Archive the Bourke Diaries which contain scores of drawings he collected on both the northern and southern plains.

Does anyone have images of either or both of these sets of drawings? I ask as the USMA Archive has my request but since there are about 4,000+ cadets who have priority over requests such as mine, thought I'd check if anyone may have them.

Thanks and please enjoy a grand day and be always well...Rod

[rodthomas]

Howdy everyone and hope all is well with you. There is indeed a collection of drawings in the Bourke Collection in the USMA Library Archives and in the NMAI/SI. I've located all those in the NMAI/SI for reference and comparison given there are four drawings there that are not in the USMA collection. More on this later as time goes by. As for the "Sappa Creek Ledger" (my title for reference purposes only!), the ledger in the "Pope Collection) is NOT that ledger. Instead, it is the ledger collected by then Lieutenant Francis H. Pope, the son of Major General John Pope. The "Pope Collection" is that of BG (R) F. H. Pope. It is more well-known by the title "Crazy Dog Ledger" entitled so by Father Peter Powell. This ledger was collected by LT. Pope at the turn of the nineteenth century if my research is correct...at least so far. Father Powell used ten of those drawings in "People of the Sacred Mountains" He termed it "Crazy Dog" as the majority of the drawings are of Crazy Dog Society men. It also appears that Wooden Leg may have made most of the drawings.

More to follow and Happpy Spring to all!

Rod...