Frank West papers
Finding aid prepared by Gina C Giang.
The Huntington Library, Art Collections, and Botanical
Gardens
Manuscripts Department
The Huntington Library
1151 Oxford Road
San Marino, California 91108
Phone: (626) 405-2191
Email: reference@huntington.org
URL: http://www.huntington.org
© 2014
The Huntington Library. All rights reserved.
Descriptive Summary
Title: Frank West Papers
Dates: 1873-1913
Collection Number: mssHM 81548-81554
Creator:
West, Frank, 1850-1923
Extent:
94 items in 3 boxes
Repository: The Huntington Library,
Art Collections, and Botanical Gardens. Manuscripts
Department
1151 Oxford Road
San Marino, California 91108
Phone: (626) 405-2191
Email: reference@huntington.org
URL: http://www.huntington.org
Abstract: This collection consists of five
volumes of reports, accounts, notes, and logs, two unbound texts, and eighty-seven photographs associated with United
States Army Colonel Frank
West (1850-1923), chiefly during his service during the Indian Wars in the 1870s, including in Texas and from Camp
Verde, Arizona.
Language of Material: The records are in English.
Access
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Administrative Information
Publication Rights
The Huntington Library does not require that researchers request permission to quote from or publish images of this material,
nor does it charge fees for such activities.
The responsibility for identifying the copyright holder, if there is one, and obtaining necessary permissions rests with
the researcher.
Preferred Citation
[Identification of item]. Frank West Papers, The Huntington Library, San Marino, California.
Provenance
Gift from Marion V. Filippone, November 2014.
Biographical Note
Frank West (September 26, 1850-August 26, 1923) was a United States Army Colonel who
was a recipient of the Medal of Honor for actions in fighting Indians at the Battle
of Big Dry Wash, Arizona. West is an 1872 graduate of West Point.
Scope and Content
This collection consists of five
volumes of reports, accounts, notes, and logs, two unbound texts, and eighty-seven photographs associated with United
States Army Colonel Frank
West (1850-1923), chiefly during his service during the American Indian Wars in the 1870s, including in Texas and Arizona.
HM 81548: The first volume, written in ink, consists of miscellaneous reports
prepared by Frank West. The volume begins with a report about a transportation march
from Camp Supply, Indian Territory to Fort Clark, Texas in 1873. West meticulously
details the journey of the cavalry including length of travel, rivers crossed, and
personal remarks. "Our wagon was [?] in the quick sand at the crossing of the Red
River men were disseminated and applied to ropes attached to the wagon and it was
drawn out" (p. 2). The total distance of their march was 1,371 miles, which took 74
days. The next two reports are about the murder of Jacob Dilsey in 1873. Other
reports include number of utility poles erected in Arizona and confidential
statements and endorsements about various Army personnel. Also included are briefs
from Fort Niobrara, Nebraska and Fort Myer, Virginia. The last portion of the volume
appears to be excerpts from a history book concerning Europe, Asia, and the Middle
East during the 19th century. The endpapers have miscellaneous notes and account
information written on them.
HM 81549: The second volume, written in pencil, begins on October 31, 1875, at Camp
Verde, Arizona. West logs his journey to various camps in Arizona including Fort
Apache, Camp Grant, Fort Bowie and back to Camp Verde. West's brief entries present
his observations of his surroundings including condition of the trail, type of
woods, weather, and availability of water. In addition to recording the length of
distance marched, West also creates a map of the route for almost every entry. Some
of the maps drawn include the Mazatzal Mountains, Apache Mountains, Chiricahua
Mounatins, and Verde River. There is a list at the back of the volume, which
includes the date, location, and possibly the number of miles traveled by West. The
endpapers have miscellaneous notes and account information written on them.
HM 81550: The third volume, written in pencil, begins in 1877. The first part of the
volume is an account book. He records clothing, food, and supplies expended and
accounted. The second part of the volume is a notebook, which begins on October 31,
1878 at Camp Verde, Arizona and ends in June 1879. Similar to HM 81549, West's
records his route along with maps. Here is an example of a typical entry: "Nov. 3rd
1878. 3 mi. to old ruin 7 mi. to Boy Creek 14 mi. to Big Cottonwood 3 mi. to
settlement 1 mi. to camp 18 miles." One of the final pages of the volume is a list
of invoices received from various Army officers. Also, similar to HM 81549, there is
a list with dates, locations, and number of miles traveled by West at the back of
the volume. The endpapers have miscellaneous notes and account information written
on them.
HM 81551: The fourth volume, written in pencil, begins in 1877. The first part of the
volume appears to be an account book with a list of Indian words and definitions.
The next section of the volume begins on June 3, 1881, where West is leaving Camp
Verde, Arizona. The brief entries in this notebook include more details about the
events of his journey. Concerning the assassination of President James Garfield,
West simply writes "News came that President Garfield was killed" (July 3, 1881). He
also mentions repairing roads, building bridges, and going fishing. After another
section with account information, West's entries pick up in March 1883 at Fort
McDowell, Arizona. In addition to the usual marching logs, West details the "1883
Mexican Campaign." He writes about scouting missions, squalling children, incidents
with chicanas, and the capture of Mexicans. The endpapers have miscellaneous notes
and account information written on them.
HM 81552: The fifth volume, written in pencil and ink, begins sometime around 1893.
This notebook consists of miscellaneous entries such as account information, diary
of events, military drills, and what appears to be a list of military personnel.
Near the beginning of the volume, there is a list of mostly drunk incidents.
"Murray. March 4, 94. Became helplessly drunk on Mtd pass-knocked off his
horse...Corp. Brown, Drunk and disorderly cursing loud..." There is section entitled
"Memorandum of Spanish War 1898." In this section, he recollects an event that
killed 23 and wounded 104 officers. "...was shelled for an hour or more during
which-Private Ross was killed, Private Earle shot in side, badly-Corp. Myers, badly
wounded thigh-Pander in the fingers." The diary of events begins on March 6, 1900
near Three Rivers, California. He writes about transporting cattle, a visit to
Sequoia National Park, and an incident with a sheep herd. Next, there is a section
about various accounts and directions around Sequoia National Park. The last section
of the volume consists of a list of names (approximately 200), along with
information about the individual's family, address, occupation, and education.
HM 81553-81554: There are also two extracts in this collection. The first extract is
about Lieutenant General Adna Romanza Chaffee (1842-1914) and his role during the
American Indian Wars. The second extract is entitled "Diary of F. West 2nd Lt. 6
‘Cavalry on Indian Territory Expedition, 1874." West begins his thirty-mile
expedition to Red River, Texas on August 30, 1874. During his lengthy march, he
talks about undrinkable salty water, lack of food, and his instinctive horse. The
second part of this extract begins on September 5, 1874. West writes about an
intense battle against 400 Indians. According to West, the actual loss of lives was
never ascertained. In another expedition, on the night of June 26, 1874, West
writes, "There were 28 men and 1 woman at the adobe walls in the Panhandle, when the
ranch was attacked by about 700 Indians-Cheyenne, Comanches, and Kiowas. The fight
lasted all day, resulting in a loss of 3 killed of White man" (p. 9).
The photographs are arranged alphabetically by the caption, if provided. Images
include the 6th Cavalry and the 2nd Cavalry Regiment of the United States Army
during the Indian Wars. Campaign photographs include the Wounded Knee Massacre and
General George Crook's campaign against the Apaches in 1883. There are also
photographs of various military forts including Fort Wingate, New Mexico, Fort
Huachuca, Arizona, and Fort Niobrara, Nebraska. There are also personal photographs,
mainly of Arthur K. West, (possibly Frank West's son) and photographs taken in the
Philippines.
Indexing Terms
Personal Names
West, Frank, 1850-1923
Subjects
United States. Army. Cavalry,
6th--History
United States. Army. Cavalry,
6th--Photographs
United States. Army. Supplies and
stores
Indians of North
America--Photographs
Indians of North America--Wars
Military bases--West (U.S.)
Red River War, 1874-1875
Geographic Areas
Arizona, History,
Military--Description and travel
Arizona--History,
Military--Maps
Indian
Territory
West (U.S.)--History,
Military
Genre
Journals (accounts)--United
States--19th century
Logs (records)--United States--19th
century
Photographs--United States--19th
century
HM 81548
West, Frank. Volume containing miscellaneous reports [Fragile; needs conservation treatment].
(1873-1894)
HM 81549
West, Frank. Notebook logging march from Camp Verde, Arizona.
[Fragile; needs conservation treatment].
(1875-1877)
HM 81550
West, Frank. Account book and notebook logging march from Camp
Verde, Arizona.
1877-1879
HM 81551
West, Frank. Account book and notebook logging march from Camp
Verde, Arizona and Fort McDowell, Arizona. [Fragile; needs conservation treatment].
1877-1883
HM 81552
West Frank. Miscellaneous notebook.
1893-1903
HM 81553
West, Frank. Diary of F. West 2nd Lt. 6 'Cavalry on Indian
Territory Expedition, 1874 and Copy of Diary Kept by F. West 2nd Lieut.
6 Cav. Indian Territory Expedition 1874 [extracts].
1873-1875
HM 81554
West, Frank. Continuation of Gen. Chaffee's Military History 1873
[extracts].
[Undated]
Folder 1
"6th Cavalry Officer Chicago Ill. 1894- Pullman strike in Chicago
1894"
Folder 2
"6th Cavalry Review- Fort Sheridan Illinois, 1894"
Folder 3
"Ah [----] my Chinese cook for 25 years"
Folder 4
"Arthur, about 4 yrs old"
Folder 5
"Arthur & Kate's Grandfather West"
Folder 8
"Arthur , Oklahoma City 1906."
Folder 9
"Aunt Savallie...Kate's great-aunt"
Folder 10
"Barracks Fort Niobrara, Neb."
Folder 11
"Big Foot, Sioux Chief killed at Wounded Knee Creek South Dakota.
In battle with the 7th cavalry Dec. 1890"
Folder 12
"Birds Eye View of Gen. Brooks Camp at Pine Ridge Agcy
S.D."
Folder 13
"Birds Eye View of Hostile Indian Camp near the Catholic Mission
6' miles North of Pine Ridge, Agcy S.D."
Folder 14
"Birds Eye View of Pine Ridge Agcy S.D."
Folder 15
"Black River near Fort Apache"
Folder 16
"Bud Dajo" [First Battle of]
Folder 17
"Burning of Fort Wingate New Mexico"
Folder 18
"Camp 6th Cavalry- Brighton Park Riots at Chicago
1894"
Folder 19
"Camp in mountain near Fort Wingate N.M..."
Folder 20
"Camp near Fort Niobrara Nebraska 1894"
Folder 21
"Capt. Frank West near Arlington, Va 1898"
Folder 22
"Capt. West 6th Cavalry Fort Myer Va Arlington near
Washington"
Folder 23
"Chief Striking Bear Pine Ridge Campaign, 1891"
Folder 24
"...Chihuahua, Mexico below the river General Crook's campaign
against the Apaches 1883"
Folder 25
"Chiricahua Camp Sierra Madre Mountains General Crook's campaign
against the Geronimo Apaches 1883"
Folder 26
"Col. West's quarters in Des Moines, Iowa 1910"
Folder 27
"Command Camp Sierra Madre Mts. Gen Crook's Apache Campaign
1883"
Folder 28
"Corporal A.K. West. Taken by A.H. Coffin...Perry City
1894"
Folder 29
"Dress Parade Fort Huachuca, Arizona 1883"
2 photographs. Note: Second copy dated 1884
Folder 30
"F. West Capt. 6th Cavalry 1898"
Folder 31
"Fort Bowie Apache Pass Arizona 1876"
Folder 33
"Fort Huachuca Arizona 1893"
Folder 1
"Fort Huachuca Arizona Looking East toward Tombstone
Arizona"
Folder 3
"Fort Niobrara Nebraska" [West family on wagon]
Folder 4
[Group dressed in oriental clothing. Photograph taken at Fort
Wingate, New Mexico]
Folder 5
"[Igorot] – wild savages of the mountains P.J. 1900"
Folder 6
[Interior of Captain West's quarters]
Folder 8
"Kind regards of F. West Capt. 6th Cavy. Fort Myer Va Nov. 16 –
'97"
Folder 9
"The Little Lieutenant 1889"
Folder 10
"Looking down Bavispe above the River...Sonora, Mexico Crook's
campaign"
Folder 11
"Major A.R. Chaffee formerly Capt. 6 Cavy"
Folder 12
"Mexican officials making an official call on the commanding
officer of Ft. Bliss, El Paso, Texas, 1913..."
Folder 13
"My room at Taal, P.I. 1910"
Folder 14
"Natural Bridge near Fort Niobrara Nebraska"
Folder 15
"Navajo church, near Fort Wingate"
Folder 16
"Officers 6th Cavalry Camp at Chicago Ill. 1894"
Folder 17
"Officers 6th Cavalry Fort Myer Va. 1896"
Folder 18
"Officers 6th Cavalry Fort Niobrara, Neb."
Folder 19
"Officers Quarters, Ft. Wingate"
Folder 20
"Officers Quarters – Fort Wingate New Mexico"
Folder 21
"Old Ft. Putnam at West Point M.A. 1868...Frank West in photo his
1st year at West Point – graduated 1872"
Folder 23
"Phillippine insurgents 1900"
Folder 24
"Picnic Capt. And Mrs. Wallace Capt and Mrs. West near Fort
Niobrara, Nebraska"
Folder 25
"[Princess?] 'Kuaua' 'Juni' Pueblo Indians New Mexico
1880"
Folder 27
"Pueblo – Isleta New Mexico"
Folder 28
"Pueblo Indian Village, New Mexico Isleta..."
Folder 29
"'Red Cloud' Chief of the Sioux Indians"
Folder 30
"Ruins found on Bavispe River, Sierra Madre Mountains Mexico Gen.
Crook's Campaign 1883"
Folder 31
"San Carlos Apaches 1883"
Folder 32
"Second Cavalry Camp Omaha, Nebraska 1909"
Folder 33
"Second Cavalry Mounted Band – Omaha Parade 1909 Col. Frank West,
Regimental Commander"
Folder 34
"Sierra Madre Campaign Mexico 1883"
Folder 35
"Sixth Cavalry Officers. Pine Ridge Campaign winter of
1890-1891"
Folder 37
"Wounded Knee, S. Dak. Battle of Pine Ridge 1890"
Folder 38
"Sierra Madre Campaign Mexico 1883"
