"Luck is a Fortune."

In 1840, Fort Gibson in eastern Oklahoma served as a remote outpost, giving the impression of being at the edge of the world for two soldiers who recorded their personal experiences. They encountered Indigenous buffalo hunting groups, engaging in trade and social interactions. They adapted to the environment by learning to navigate the terrain, finding potable water, and hunting for sustenance. Survival on the Plains required mastering various skills, as described by Hammond in his buffalo hunt journal entry titled "Luck is a Fortune." This phrase aptly captures the essence of their experiences. Hammond and Flynn sought adventure at Fort Gibson, viewing it as a launchpad for future achievements. Despite taking significant risks, both men relied heavily on luck, perhaps more than they realized. Lt. Marcus Claudius Marcellus Hammond hailed from a slave-owning family in South Carolina and received education at West Point. Pvt. John Flynn, on the other hand, had worked as a hatter in New York before joining as a Private of Dragoons, seeking to escape the urban challenges brought about by the Industrial Revolution. Hammond envisioned a distinguished military career, while Flynn sought refuge from the upheavals of industrialization.

President Andrew Jackson's Indian Removal Act of 1830 set the stage for their narratives. The Act marginalized tens of thousands of Native American individuals, who believed themselves to be the original inhabitants of America, only to be deserted by their own government, exploited by their fellow citizens, and forcibly relocated to unfamiliar lands. The Osages and Caddos were among the native tribes in the area that included parts of Oklahoma and neighboring states. The Cherokees, Chickasaws, Delawares, Kickapoos, and other relocated tribes were seen as unwanted intruders and unnecessary competitors. Intertribal conflicts and violence were widespread. Fort Gibson was established to prevent such bloodshed while promoting the expansionist goals of the United States.

The Cherokee and other tribes brought their African and African-American slaves along. While some slaves were integrated into the tribes, others sought refuge in Mexico where slavery had already been outlawed. The ongoing debate over the tribal membership of former slaves remains a contentious issue today. This complex situation was further complicated by the arrival of settlers in the new Republic of Texas. Additional settlers and traders traveled through Fort Gibson to Santa Fe and Mexican territories, braving the dangerous territories controlled by the formidable Comanches and Apaches.

The human environment near Ft. Gibson did not resemble a melting pot or a mosaic. Instead, it was akin to the bar scene in Star Wars; individuals from diverse backgrounds converse, unwind, and exchange goods, but everyone is cautious, suspicious, and seeking personal gain with minimal risk. They opt for conducting transactions peacefully,

but are ready to resort to force if faced with a threat.

Within Hammond's journal, there is a compilation of Delaware (Lenape) words that proved beneficial to a young officer navigating the Plains. Additionally, he penned a few reflective and melancholic poems detailing his rejection by his fiancée, Frances Ann. These supplementary writings offer valuable insights into Hammond's personality. Flynn's Recollections consist of stories about harrowing thunderstorms that tore apart tents and left men injured. He describes the experience of leading a wagon convoy to Santa Fe under the command of Capt. Nathan Boone, one of Daniel's offspring, while Texan raiders lurked nearby, ready to strike if the Dragoons became lax in their vigilance.

Hammond's journal foreshadows upcoming military events. Survivors of Fort Gibson who were young officers laterose to senior positions during the War with Mexico and also participated in the Civil War, America's most tragic conflict, two decades later. The American Officer's Corps divided based on loyalties to either the Union or the Confederacy. Prominent officers who were stationed at Ft. Gibson included Captain Nathan Boone, Lieutenant Jefferson Davis, Colonel Robert E. Lee, Colonel Albert Sidney Johnston, Colonel E. V. Sumner, Colonel J. E. Johnston, Colonel W. H. Emory, Lieutenant John Bell Hood, and Lieutenant J. E. B. Stuart. It is intriguing to consider what thoughts crossed their minds when they found themselves facing former comrades and friends on the battlefield.

The factions of races, ethnicities, politics, and classes that vied for power then can

still be seen, today.

Come hear the author Robert Pickering, a LTHS alumni, talk about his latest book, Monday night 7:00pm November 18, 2024 at the History Center on the Square Lawrenceville.