Introduction

During the period 29 September-5 October 1879,the battle of Milk Creek became part of our nations and great army’s history.It is a relatively unknown engagement of our Indian wars,dwarfed by other battles such as Little Big Horn,Washita and countless others.

During this engagement,eleven Medals of Honor were awarded in recognition for the valor displayed by those troopers who displayed courage “above and beyond”the call of duty.
Now,sadly,some 128 years later,some of those U.S Cavalry Troopers and civilians killed at Milk Creek remain on that battlefield in an unmarked grave in a pasture grazed by livestock.

Brad Edwards has dedicated nearly seven years in researching the Milk Creek Battlefield,and fighting to have the remains of the soldiers and civilians that he inadvertently discovered,recovered and interned in a National Cemetery for a Christian burial with full military honors so long overdue them.
In this book,Brad has not only told the story of the battle and the White River Expedition,but also shown the human dimension,as seen by selected members of the command.Some of the troopers were veterans of the Civil war,having survived countless campaigns and engagements.First Sergeant John Dolan,who was killed at Milk Creek,was one such Civil War veteran,who had survived the horrors not only of the battlefield,but also those of the Confederate prison known as Andersonville.

Brad Edwards work captures an important and relatively unknown piece of our Nation’s history.It reflects his dedication to our great republic and to the soldiers who fought at Milk Creek.It also reflects his untiring efforts to recover those who fell and remain at Milk Creek.

Kenneth R.Bowra
Major General(Ret.),U.S.Army
Smithfield,Virginia