Saturday, 20 October

Diary of William Polke

“Left Chariton Encampment at eight o’clock this morning. The road was quite muddy and the air very cold. At 12 we reached our present Encampment on Grand Chariton, two miles from Keatsville.”

“Tomorrow being the Sabbath we shall remain in camp. The health of the Indians is almost completely restored. There are perhaps scarcely a dozen cases in camp.”

“Subsistence beef and flour – of which the Indians are becoming tired. Bacon and pork cannot be procured. Forage hay and corn. Distance travelled today eleven miles.”

Chief Topinabe.