The Diaries of John Gregory Bourke Volume 4: July 3, 1880--May 22, 1881

Introduction to Volume 4

1 Introduction to V olume 4 V olume 4 of this series covers John Gregory Bourke’s diaries and notebooks from July 3, 1880, through May 22, 1881,1 and from half-way through manuscript volume 34 to about one-third of manuscript volume 40. The material comes from 124 manuscript volumes and several subvolumes held in the United States Military Academy Library in West Point, New York. The diaries were donated to West Point in 1936 by Bourke’s daughter, Mrs. Sara Bourke James, as a “gift outright” and now are in the public domain.2 The Zuni material in West Point’s manuscript volume 40, which appears in Chapters 20 and 21 of this book, is duplicated in a Bourke manuscript held in the special collections of the University of Arizona Library in Tucson. The Arizona volume appears to be Bourke’s original notes and sketches, while the West Point volume is a later copy with supplemental notes and information. Bourke often copied and expanded his notes, although in most cases, both the original and the copy are held by West Point. In the Bourke series, this volume is significant in two respects. First, a large portion centers around the continuing controversy 1. Volume 3 ends on June 22, 1880, but Bourke made no further entries until July 3. 2. Alan C. Aimone, assistant librarian for Special Collections Division, United States Military Academy Library, to Charles M. Robinson III, March 29, 1995. 2 Introduction to Volume 4 concerning the forced relocation of the Ponca Indians from their ancient homeland along the Dakota-Nebraska line to a new reservation in the Indian Territory.3 Second, an equally large portion concerns Bourke’s ethnological work under official sanction from the army and the Bureau of Ethnology, work which would make a profound change in his life and his place in history. Aside from a summary of the entire Ponca affair in about two pages, virtually none of this material appears in Bourke’s classic On the Border With Crook.4 The diaries, however, are much more detailed, and contain two of the longest manuscript volumes encountered to date in this series. Volume 38, consisting largely of transcripts on the Ponca hearings, is 192 handwritten pages, and volume 39, where Bourke begins work with the Bureau of Ethnology, is 190 handwritten pages. In the published diaries, much of Volume 3 involves staff duties, which continue with this volume. When Volume 4 opens, Bourke has recently been ordered to report to West Point as an instructor. Eventually, however, he opts against it, and the War Department grants his request to revoke the order.5 This is the second time Bourke has been assigned to West Point. The first, in 1873, was blocked by Crook on the grounds that he was necessary for the general’s staff. Bourke was satisfied with Crook’s attitude, believing the staff position would do more for his career than serving as an instructor at the academy.6 He does not give his motive for rejecting the appointment in 1880, but presumably, he has become comfortable as the general’s aide. Bourke joined General Crook’s staff in 1872, but much of the time until 1877 was spent in the field, on campaigns in which Crook took personal charge. Beginning with Volume 3, however, and continuing in this volume, Bourke spends more time behind a desk, or on inspection and other duties. This gives him time to 3. As the vast plains region of the Louisiana Purchase was divided and redivided, the boundaries between newly created territories often were vague. This was the case with Dakota Territory (the part which is modern South Dakota) and Nebraska, and causes confusion as to where the Poncas traditionally lived. Their home was on both sides of the lower Niobrara River, in an area generally considered to be in Dakota. In 1874, however, the boundary was surveyed, and lands presumed to have been in Dakota proved to be on the Nebraska side of the line. Consequently, the Poncas are now considered to be a Nebraska tribe, although during much of the nineteenth century they were said to be from Dakota, a usage that continued even after the boundary was fixed. See Robinson, “Standing Bear vs. Crook,” 445. 4. Bourke, On the Border, 427–29. 5. Robinson, Diaries, 3:410, 412; Bourke, Diary, 34:571, 639. 6. Porter, Paper Medicine Man, 20–21. [18.226.187.24] Project MUSE (2024-04-25 01...