Moses Embree "California Joe" Milner
Moses Embree Milner was born in a log cabin on his father's plantation near Standford, Kentucky on May 8,1829; the oldest of a family of four children. At the age of fourteen, he quit school, shouldered his Kentucky rifle, and headed for the wilderness. The young wanderer reached St. Louis where Milner joined a party of trappers on their way to Independence, then only a trading post, to outfit themselves for a hunting trip on the Platte and its tributaries. He was the youngest of the party of twelve.
In the fall of 1866, California Joe found his way to Fort Riley, Kansas. General Hancock established Fort Harker shortly after Joe arrived in Kansas and he engaged the frontiersman as a scout for the Fifteenth Infantry. Joe served as a civilian scout for troops operating against hostile Indians in Kansas, Indian Territory, and Texas. The following spring, he joined General Alfred Sully at Fort Dodge. At Newton, Kansas, then a trail-end cow-town, California Joe first met James B. Hickok, or better known as Wild Bill. |
At one point, Milner hired on as a scout and guide for the US Army. He served briefly as a chief scout for Lieutenant Colonel George A. Custer on General Winfield S. Hancock's expedition of 1867. While on the expedition, Milner became a good friend of fellow scout, James Butler "Wild Bill" Hickock. California Joe was a colorful character. Although he owned a fast horse that he raced, most of his wandering and scouting was conducted on an army mule, which many considered superior to the horse over rough country.
In 1868-69 he was scouting for the Sheridan-Custer winter campaign. After the Battle of the Washita, Milner and a man named Jack Corbin traveled 100 miles in two days through hostile territory to report the results to General Phillip Sheridan at Camp Supply, Oklahoma.
In 1868-69 he was scouting for the Sheridan-Custer winter campaign. After the Battle of the Washita, Milner and a man named Jack Corbin traveled 100 miles in two days through hostile territory to report the results to General Phillip Sheridan at Camp Supply, Oklahoma.
The overly talkative and friendly scout soon became a favorite of George Custer, who promoted him to chief scout. However, Milner had a problem with alcohol, and he was quickly demoted after he over-celebrated his promotion. Despite the demotion by Custer, Joe and the general remained friends, occasionally exchanging letters.
In his book My Life on the Plains, Custer recalled the first time Joe saw a train and was intrigued and determined to ride the rails to Leavenworth. Shortly after, one of Custer's officers reported that he met Joe one day and was amazed to find him smartly dressed, shaved and that his long, curly locks, which had avoided contact with a comb, brush, or razor for many years, had undergone a complete metamorphosis, appearing neatly trimmed or combed. But it did not last, and within months the unkempt Joe was himself once more. Alcohol was Joe's downfall. Later, in February 1870, while guiding his old friend General Sheridan from Fort Arbuckle to Camp Wichita, he got so drunk that he had to be bundled into a wagon to complete the journey. Sheridan was furious but awed, both by the amount of Joe's liquid intake and by his extraordinary ability to find liquor in the most surprising places. |
Thrills and Tales of the Frontier: Charting the Untamed Life of Moses 'California Joe' Milner
Take a step back into the wild age of the American frontier as we explore the adventurous life of Moses Milner, more famously known as California Joe. His tale is as untamed as the frontier he called home. Milner's life began with his youthful years of trapping and trading with friendly Indians. His journey led him to guide for the US Army, where he became a prominent figure in the Donovan expedition during the Mexican War.
His story unfolds further as we delve into his early marriage at the tender age of 21, and his explorations to Oregon. His associations with legendary figures such as Kit Carson and Wild Bill Hickok offer a deeper insight into the intriguing life of this famed scout.
We march on through the rugged terrains of Wyoming’s Big Horn Mountain Country where he served under General George Crook. He was also part of the Powder River Expedition against the fierce Cheyenne under General Ronald S McKenzie.
California Joe’s thrilling life, filled with adventure, bravery, and intrigue, met a tragic end at Fort Robinson, Nebraska, in a fatal confrontation. However, his legacy continues to resonate symbolized by his burial with full military honors at Fort MacPherson National Cemetery in Nebraska.
The life of California Joe paints a vivid picture of the frontier era, providing us with a profound understanding of the scouts who played a pivotal role in shaping the history of America. This historical saga is an ode to the wild west, where the lines between legend and reality often blurred, and brave individuals like California Joe carved their place in history.
Exploring the life of Moses Milner not only reveals the challenges and hardships of the frontier life but also highlights the undying spirit of exploration and survival that defined this era. It serves as a reminder of the rugged individualism and fearless spirit of the pioneers who ventured into the unknown, driven by a quest for freedom and adventure.
Moses 'California Joe' Milner's story is a testament to the adventurous spirit of the American frontier, a time characterized by exploration, conflict, and cultural exchange. It encapsulates the essence of a bygone era, a period in history that continues to captivate us with its tales of bravery, resilience, and discovery.
His story unfolds further as we delve into his early marriage at the tender age of 21, and his explorations to Oregon. His associations with legendary figures such as Kit Carson and Wild Bill Hickok offer a deeper insight into the intriguing life of this famed scout.
We march on through the rugged terrains of Wyoming’s Big Horn Mountain Country where he served under General George Crook. He was also part of the Powder River Expedition against the fierce Cheyenne under General Ronald S McKenzie.
California Joe’s thrilling life, filled with adventure, bravery, and intrigue, met a tragic end at Fort Robinson, Nebraska, in a fatal confrontation. However, his legacy continues to resonate symbolized by his burial with full military honors at Fort MacPherson National Cemetery in Nebraska.
The life of California Joe paints a vivid picture of the frontier era, providing us with a profound understanding of the scouts who played a pivotal role in shaping the history of America. This historical saga is an ode to the wild west, where the lines between legend and reality often blurred, and brave individuals like California Joe carved their place in history.
Exploring the life of Moses Milner not only reveals the challenges and hardships of the frontier life but also highlights the undying spirit of exploration and survival that defined this era. It serves as a reminder of the rugged individualism and fearless spirit of the pioneers who ventured into the unknown, driven by a quest for freedom and adventure.
Moses 'California Joe' Milner's story is a testament to the adventurous spirit of the American frontier, a time characterized by exploration, conflict, and cultural exchange. It encapsulates the essence of a bygone era, a period in history that continues to captivate us with its tales of bravery, resilience, and discovery.