The man that stood next to me was shot down in the first discharge. I fired at the Indian at the same time but only struck him in the leg. He returned my fire and struck my revolver which knocked me down, which saved me.

One of the troopers in Capt. Nowlan’s I Troop penned a fifteen-page letter in the summer of 1891 detailing his experiences during the campaign. Private Walter R. Crickett was a carpenter by trade and a recent emigrant from England, where his mother and siblings still resided, one of whom was the recipient of his campaign narrative. Crickett’s letter has been quoted by a number of historians, most notably by Christer Lindberg in his 1990 article, “Foreigners in Action at Wounded Knee,” and William S. E. Coleman in Voices of Wounded Knee. Lindberg provides four brief excerpts while Coleman quotes most of Crickett’s letter piecemeal over the length of his book. Presented here is a transcript of Pvt. Crickett’s complete letter along with images of each page, reproduced with permission from the American Museum at Bath, England, where the original letter is archived. It is followed by a brief biographical sketch of Walter Crickett and his tragic death. As a veteran of Wounded Knee, he was perhaps haunted by the demons of war.

With the 7th Cavalry from Ft Riley to Pine Ridge Agency, South Dakota 1890 & 91

(Click to enlarge) The Walter R. Crickett letter is archived at the American Museum & Gardens in Bath, England. This 15-page letter is presented here with express permission from the museum registrar.[1]

We got the order on the 23rd Nov., 90, that our regiment was for the front, the place being Pine Ridge, S.D., where the Indians had broken out and gone on the war path and committing all sorts of outrages. It was morning when the order came, and by four that afternoon we was all a board the train, had all our horses and transportation along. That is what takes the time to load.

We traveled all night and next day untill we got to a place in Nebraska called Lincon about six P.M. where we took the stock off, watered and fed. Started again about twelve, and got into Rushville at five the day following (morn) that being the nearest town to P.R. There we unloaded every thing and left that afternoon for the Agency.

Camped that night at White Clay creek about twelve miles from Rushville. At five the next morning was up had a cup of coffee, and a few biscuits, struck camp and was in the saddle a little after six, and then made strait in. Got there about four and was into camp where we stayed untill the 26th December when order came for the first battalion to go to Wounded Knee creek to stop Big foot’s band going into the bad lands. It took about two hours to strike tents and pack up all our things having to go on mules as waggons could not haul in the bad lands.

(Click to enlarge) page 2.

During our stay at the agency nothing of any account occurred but was allways on the look out. Was allowed to take our horses and go out riding, but the weather was so cold there wasent much of that. Sometimes it was fair, and then out allways armed. Saw some grand sights. First there was the dances, grass dance, scalp dance, sun dance, and several others. Some times it would be all squaws, others all bucks, sometimes mixed together.

After the dance there was a feast of dog which they stewed in right good stile. I tasted it once and found it pretty good (these Indians was the friendlies). Next was the beef issue which was grand. The beast would be all driven into large pound. Then the bucks would all formed round mounted on ponies and armed with fine Winchesters and speers.

Than so many names would be called, the slide lifted, and out would come the steer with his tail well up and away he would go, the Indians after it, and so on untill the prairie was black with them all yelling at the top of their voices like so many devils let loose. They would chase them untill played out than would speer them to make them go faster. When done would shoot them. Then the squaws came up and skin them. Then they are divided between the families, but not before they have a good feed as that is when they like it best. You should see them scop the blood up with their hands, and there is no doubt they enjoy it.

(Click to enlarge) page 3.

Well we got to Wounded Knee about nine. My troop was rear guard, had to go back about eight miles to cover the trail and come back over Porcupine creek which was a round about way. Crossing the creek was very bad, the ice being about eight inches thick, and as our horses steped off the bank they went through the ice up to their quaters, some deeper, which made them plunge about. And to make every thing bitter, it was so dark you couldent see your hand in front of you, but we got over allright. The horses was cut up a bit and some of us wet from falling off, and in less than ten minutes our cloths was frozen stiff, but being hardened to it, dident notice it much. We got in about twelve and pitched tents, made some coffee and turned in for the night.

(Click to enlarge) page 4.

Stayed there all quiet untill the 28th, when about noon the scouts brought in two prisoners they had captured belonging to Big foot’s band, and said they could see the main body about twelve miles off. In less than ten minutes we was all in the saddle and off to Porcupine butte where we came in sight of them two miles away, when our commanding officer (Major Whitside) and the interpreter went forward and ask them to surrender, which they did after a lot of parley.

But at one time it looked pretty bad. Thought we should have had a battle right there. They kept advancing all the time to see what our strength was. We was all dismounted and loaded ready, but just as they got up to us our pack mule train came in sight, and they thought it was more troops coming up, so they came along quiet, got into Wounded Knee without any trouble, but I think if they had of commenced they would of made it pretty lively for us. Our first Lieut. Nicholson then went into the Agency for the other battalion, which got back again about three in the morning.

(Click to enlarge) page 5.

That night we formed a chain guard around them, I & A troops, with orders not to let any of the bucks through, but the squaws might go and get wood for the fires. If the bucks should attempt to pass, knock them on the head, but it was easier said than done. The guard was formed into three reliefs, one on and two off. Had to sleep out in the open close to them, for this was the band that got away from Col. Summers, and they thought they would try and serve us the same game.

At day break they began to stir ready for a start, but we was on hand. About seven the second battalion mounted their horses, and we commenced to get ready to disarm them. All of I & A Troops was round them at about ten feet apart. That left K & B dismounted with C, D, E & G mounted. Then K & B formed into searching parties, and the bucks ordered to come out, which they did, and formed half circle. Then through the interpreter they were told to fetch their gun by tens at a time.

(Click to enlarge) Lieut. S. A. Cloman’s map of Wounded Knee depicting the scene of the fight with Big Foot’s Band, Dec. 29th 1890.

Every one had a fine Winchester when we took them prisoners. When the first lot came back they brought two old muzzle loaders and said it was all they had. Then the searching party commenced, but before that there was another guard formed to keep them from going to the tepees. The search went on very well at first, the squaws pelting the soldiers with blankets. They seemed to be having some fun. Well we got about twenty more old guns, war clubs and some formidable knives.

(Click to enlarge) page 6.

Then the order was given to search the bucks. During the time the search was going on, the medicine [man] was talking to them—what they tirm making the medicine—and telling them soldiers bullets would not hurt them. He was raving and swinging his arms about like mad, had a whistle in his mouth making a most hidious row. But when the bucks was ordered to get up and be searched, he took up a handful of dirt and through it in the air. I can just see him doing it now as I wasent fifty feet away. Then the fun began, as each buck was well armed.

They commenced firing away at us, and for the minute couldent make out what was up, but we soon recovered and then they got it. They made a break for a ravine just were we was posted and kept up a running fire, but by the time they reached the ravine there was dozens down. The man that stood next to me was shot down in the first discharge. I fired at the Indian at the same time but only struck him in the leg. He returned my fire and struck my revolver which knocked me down, which saved me. But if it hadent been for the pistol, I should have got it through the thigh. But he dident go much farther. Our Capt. (Nolan) shot him through the heart.

(Click to enlarge) page 7.

Capt. Wallace was in charge of the searching party. The war club he had his brains knocked out with was one he took from the tepees and was swinging it about in his hand. That was the last I saw of him untill he was picked up with his head smashed. His revolver was in his hand empty and four Indians dead just in front of were he laid, so he must of sold his life pretty hard.

By this time lots had got away into the ravine, but we had them. There was fire in the first washout, that is a small cave. They sold their lives very hard. Had to get the Hoskis gun on them, but for every shot we fired they returned it with intrest. The Lieut in charge of the gun [Hawthorne] was shot close to his gun, so you see they was good shots. But they was quieted after a bit.

Then some of us had to mount our horses and go after another lot. We found them in another washout farther up the ravine. We exchanged shots with them and lost one man. After a bit the interpreter came up and told them to come out and surrender and they shouldent be hurt. After a bit they came out and laid down their arms, and we dressed their wounds as they was full of holes and several dead.

(Click to enlarge) page 8.

Just as we started to take them back, about three hundred of the brules, some of Two Stricks band, came in sight, and than the sixteen prisoners we had made a break for the ravine again. But they was all shot before they reached it by another troop that was waiting for them. The Officer in charge of us would not let us fire. By that time we was in a hot engagement with the last arrivals. Word was sent back to the main body what was going on.

The Colonel then gave the order for the men to build fortifications, as we expected the remainder would be out (Two Strikes band). Had to get any thing that was handy, such as sacks of corn, bales of hay and boxes of biscuits. But they wasent used as the troops that was out drove them off. I think if they had of known our position, we should of suffered a terible loss.

We waited for about two hours on the look out, and during that time the dead and wounded was brought in, the wounded dressed, and dead laid out. After, they was loaded up as best we could, but several died on the way to the Agency. We had to leave lots of things behind, as it was as much as we could do to bring the dead and wounded along. At last we was ready to start, about six. Been fighting and running about all day and not a mouthful.

(Click to enlarge) page 9.

Going back our troop was advance guard, and I shant forget it. By the time we got on the road you could see were the red devils had been at work. The prairie was a blaze for miles around, small farms just the same, but we dident see anything of them. All went well untill we got within five miles of the Agency. Then the halt was sounded and we dismounted. Our Capt wanting to look round wandered off, and when it was mount again he wasent to be found, but he came up after. But during his absents the troop was in charge of the second Lieut (Waterman) and some how he got lost, got turned round. The men new he was wrong and told him so, but would take no notice. At last he brought us back on to the main body at a full gallop instead of being at a walk. The commanding officer thinking it was Indians coming ordered the men to dismount and form line to the front and load with orders to fire low. But just than the trumpeter sounded to see if he could find the Capt., and than they new it was their own men. But I never heard an officer get such a talking to, called him everything but a gentleman for leading us into so much danger. Another minute and we should of all been swept out of the saddle. We dident think much about it at the time, but now when I come to look at it, it seems a marvle how we escaped.

(Click to enlarge) page 10

When we got to the Agency all was in confussion as all the friendlies had left and gone on the war path. Before they left they fired into the agency and wounded several infantry. Although there was ten companys and a battery of heavy artilly, General Brooks wouldent let them return fire. If he had of done so, it would of taken them all the winter to of buried their dead, as the Lieut in charge of the guns had them sighted right on the long line of them going out. Brooks told him if he fired a shot, it would cost him his commission.

We went into on the old camping ground that night between twelve and one. Every thing was quiet untill morning when just at day break the alarm sounded, and out we turned. The 9th Cav. baggage train was surrounded by the red devils. It taken just about as long to turn out as it does to write. Went about four miles before we came in sight of them, but no sooner than they saw us they was off. Only got a few shots at them.

(Click to enlarge) page 11.

Went back again and was just watering our horses, when the scouts brought in word that they was burning the mission (a large Catholic school). Out we went again and this time it was busines. Instead of it being the mission, it was several small farms on the road. Our Colonel had orders only to go as far as the mission, instead of which he went about five miles farther on were we got into a pretty fix.

Had to go through a deep ravine to get on the hill opposite to see if we could see anything of them but all seemed quiet. We dismounted, the numbers four [every fourth trooper] remaining mounted to take care of the horses. We than advanced about two hundred yards to the crest of the hill were we could see a few in the distance, that being their object to draw us on so as they could work round our flank.

We laid there for about half hour firing when we got the chance. We then had orders to mount but had scarcely left our position when they seemed to spring up out of the ground. The hills was alive with them, and it commenced in real earnest. Such confussion you never saw, for a few minutes running in all directions. So they mounted their horses and galloped off, but after a bit they railed which was their only chance. As far as I could see the only way to fight indians is to face them and keep together.

(Click to enlarge) page 12.

After some pretty hot fighting we drove them back and commenced a steady retreat. Half go at the time, one lot holding them in check while the others got through the ravine on to a bit of level ground. And then we had a good battle. Pleased to say came out victorious. Only lost one man and seven wounded but two have died since. Their loss was over a hundred. The man that was killed [Pvt. Franceschetti] we had to leave behind as we was hard pressed. When the body was recovered two days later, he was horible mutilated. His hands, ears, nose, cut off, scalp gone and eyes full of powder. It was a shocking sight to see.

The firing was kept up untill dark, when the Colonel thought it best to get back to the Agency. I think at one time if it hadent of been for the 9th Cav it would have gone very hard with us as we was completely surrounded (the 9th are colored men).

(Click to enlarge) page 13.

We got back to the agency allright, but it was now the work began. The first thing was to dig trenches as we expected a midnight attack. Had to be in them night after night with a chain guard about a thousand yards in front with orders not to fire but to retreat and draw them on, and than they would of got a warm reception, but it was bitter cold. But they never came as they are superticious and think if they get killed at night they wont go to the happy hunting ground.

The day following (Sunday [sic: Wednesday]) things being a little quiet we commenced to think of the dead. A lot of us went to work and made thirty coffins (just a plain box nail together) as that was the number we had dead by this time. We got finished about one, the funeral being at two. It was a mournfull sight to see us go to the little cemetry about half mile away from camp (mounted and well armed). What few white people that was there payed their last respects to the dead. But Oh it was a terrible day, snow, rain and sleet, and as it came down it froze to our cloaks. A more misirable and cold day I never experienced, but at last it was over and marched back to camp. Every one seemed low spirited and down hearted. The camp was like one deserted. This is the first funeral (Military) I was ever at were they did not fire three vollies over the grave. They were afraid of scaring the few friendly indians that was on the reservation.

(Click to enlarge) page 14.

Things now began to be quiet. The indians was starved out and wanted to come in on the 16th. Arangments was made, and they marched in. The bucks was all in single file, made a line of about a mile long. We was allready mounted ready for fear of any trechery, but it went off allright. Some of the chiefs came and surrendered their arms, but they wasent of much account.

We got the order on the 23rd that we was to return to Ft. Riley. We made three camping grounds between the agency and Rushville as they was afraid after we left they might break out again. Got to Rushville, loaded our stock and baggage, and away we went, and mighty glad I was to get on board the train once more as I can tell you, it was no picnic.

(Click to enlarge) page 15.

The first stopage was at Fremont Nebraska, watered and fed the stock, went on again allright untill we got within about thirty miles of the Fort, when we met with the railway accident, which was a shocking affair. Men and horses strewn about in all directions. Two killed on the spot, dozens injured, and a bitter cold night into the bargan. About ten miles off was a town called Manhatten, where the 7th are allways welcome, and they turned out and gave all the help they could, open up their houses for us, made us as comfortable as the sircumstances would allow. The next day a train was run from Junction City and took us to the fort safe.

After we got back and settled down, we gave the people of Manhatten a grand banquet in our mess hall. Over five hundred attended. After the supper there were lots of speeches made, and dancing up till riveille. Spent a most enjoyable evening. We are invited to a picnic on the 4th July, which is a natinial holiday in this country.

I think this will do for the present, but when I come back shall have lots more little incidents to tell you.

W. R. C.

Born at  Margate, England, in August 1860, Walter Robert was the eldest child of William Robert Crickett and Ann Bushell who were married about three months earlier in the Thanet district of County Kent. They would go on to have five more sons and two daughters. By the age of twenty, Walter was working as a carpenter in Margate. His father passed away in 1881 and his mother remarried the following year to Henry Wood, a much younger twenty-eight-year-old farmer from Shipley in Southern, England.[2]

Walter’s younger brother, Richard, served in the 14th King’s Hussars from 1884 to 1889, and Walter may have also served an enlistment in that regiment before emigrating to America about 1889. Shortly after arriving in New York City, Crickett, a few months shy of twenty nine, enlisted for five years in the 7th U.S. Cavalry Regiment. He stood about five foot, seven inches tall, with blue eyes, light brown hair, and a florid complexion. He served three of the five years, all with I Troop, and was discharged March 10, 1892, at Fort Riley, Kansas, with a characterization of service of “very good.”[3]

The following year, Crickett had settled in Sioux City, Iowa, working variously as a laborer, hostler, and carpenter. In 1895 at the age of thirty-five, Crickett married a twenty-two year old German immigrant, Josephine Leckband. Born in Schleswig in Northern Germany in 1873, Josie had arrived in America with her parents and six siblings ten years earlier. She was working as a domestic and living with her mother, Margarete, and her brother, John, when she married Crickett. According to Crickett, Josie’s mother and brother did not approve of the marriage.[4]

According to Josie’s family, Crickett was intemperate and worked irregularly, depending on Josie’s meager income as a washwoman. This strained the marriage and events came to a head in September 1903 as reported in a series of articles in the local newspapers.

Crickett left their home on the 10th, perhaps on a drinking binge. On the 13th, the Sioux City Journal reported that Josie had “become insane” and was taken to Samaritan Hospital to be evaluated by a “board of insanity commissioners.” She reportedly had been demented for several days and was found wandering aimlessly on the streets. While being treated at the hospital she would “divest herself of all her clothing.” Josie also had large bruises on her body. The family, believing that Crickett beat her while drunk, had him arrested. He was brought into the sheriff’s office, in a state of drunkenness, along with his wife and was charged with causing great bodily injury that led to her insanity. Josie was reported to “have the empty laugh of a maniac” as her husband was led to a jail cell, incapable of comprehending what was happening. The deputy sheriff then drove her to Cherokee State Hospital for the Insane.[5]

The Cherokee State Hospital, Cherokee, Iowa, pictured in 1915.[6]

Two days later, while being held for arraignment for abusing his wife, Crickett took his own life. The Sioux City Journal reported, “With a fierce downward gash and side slash of a razor, which severed his jugular vein and parted the veins on his neck for five inches, Walter R. Crickett, a carpenter, ended his life at 10:15 last night at the government cell of the county jail.”[7]

In the pocket of his discarded and bloody clothing, the jailers found Crickett’s final letter:

Well let’s hope this is all for the best for I am perfectly innocent of what I am charged but every one is against me although I am no saint. But she would not do as she ought and our tempers are too quick. How could I have drove her insane. Go and ask the (Christian Science) and her brother. Did not her brother John kick her out in the cold. But that is not it; they have always wanted to part us, but wanted a man with more money. When I left home on the 10th I kissed her goodby and she was allright and kissed me goodby. When I went home she had taken part of the furniture. I went down the next morning to see her about what to do and she had me arrested for nothing. But I had to go down for drunk, but all summer she has wanted to take a room in town and rent our own home which I objected to but at last Mrs. Miller must of persuaded her to do and this is the consequence. But still I was lots to blame but not quite all. There is lots more to tell but I am too nervous shy up in this sell. If I don’t do something I shall go mad for every one seems against me, for I am half crazy now and then think what is staring me in the face for I know they will bring me in guilty. If the dear girl get well, which I hope she will, ask her to forgive, for I loved her to the last. Her own true love.

W. R. Crickett.

P. S. I do this tonight for it is my last chance, as I would face a trill all though I now the witness are all against me so what is the use to face hell on earth any longer for that is what they would give me. Goodby to all old chums.

[Written on the outside] Left home on Sept. 10th. Was home 13th. I went to see her 11th. Did not John kick her down stairs 14th. Mother and sister threw her out doors.[8]

A week after Crickett was dead and buried, the Sioux City Journal reported that his fellow prisoners were terrified of ghostly sounds and apparitions, “The prisoners of Woodbury county jail are up against a new ghost. This time it is the spirit of Walter R. Crickett… that is stalking forth during the still hours of the night to terrorize the prisoners.… The prisoners who are confined in the cell where Crickett slashed his throat have refused to sleep with the lights turned out and by a new order… the lights are kept burning…. Since his untimely end his fellow prisoners declare they can hear queer gurgling sounds just such as Crickett made in this death struggle.”[9]

With that final article, Crickett passed from public memory. Not so his wife. Within a few months Josie had been released from the Cherokee State Hospital and in 1905 was again living in Sioux City. She relapsed in 1907 following the arrest of her brother, John, for stealing a pocket knife. She was called as a witness at his trial and began to show signs of her earlier troubles. Within two days she needed treatment, and after being examined by the “insanity commissioners” they again committed her to the Cherokee State Hospital. She spent almost a year there before being released in March 1908.[10]

Josephine never remarried and was granted a widow’s pension in 1932. She died in June 1943 of congestive heart failure at the age of seventy, four decades after Walter Crickett took his own life. She had broken all ties with her brother, John, who survived her by ten years, and left her estate, worth about one thousand dollars, to a “loving niece.”[11]

Walter Crickett and his wife Josephine are buried in the Floyd Cemetery, Sioux City, Iowa.[12]

Endnotes

[1] David Webb, American Museum Registrar, email to Samuel L. Russell dated 6 Oct 2020, Subject: FW: New submission from AMIB contact form. “We would be happy for you to use a transcription of Walter R. Crickett’s Letter Written at Wounded Knee. We are also content to give you permission to use the images of the letter for non-commercial purposes on your website, armyatwoundedknee.com.”

[2] Ancestry.com, England Census, (Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2005),Year: 1861; Class: Rg 9, Piece: 534, Folio: 102, Page: 16, GSU roll: 542656; Year: 1871, Class: RG10, Piece: 992, Folio: 6, Page: 4, GSU roll: 838724; Year: 1881, Class: RG11, Piece: 985, Folio: 4, Page: 4, GSU roll: 1341234; FreeBMD, England & Wales, Civil Registration Marriage Index, 1837-1915, (Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2006), Registration Year: 1860, Registration Quarter: Apr-May-Jun, Registration district: Thanet, Inferred County: Kent, Volume: 2a, Page: 1004, Records on Page: 4; Ancestry.com, England & Wales, National Probate Calendar (Index of Wills and Administrations), 1858-1995, (Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2010), Name: William Robert Crickett, Death Date: 7 Sep 1881, Death Place: Kent, England, Probate Date: 30 Sep 1881, Probate Registry: Principal Registry; City of Westminster Archives Centre, London, England, Westminster Church of England Parish Registers, Reference: STG/PR/7/72.

[3] The National Archives, UK, UK, Royal Hospital Chelsea Pensioner Soldier Service Records, (https://www.fold3.com/image/587414144/crickett-richard-william-page-1-uk-royal-hospital-chelsea-pensioner-soldier-service-records); Ancestry.com, U.S., Army, Register of Enlistments, 1798-1914 (Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2007), Year: 1885-1890, Names: A-D, Page: 235, Line: 200.

[4] Iowa Department of Public Health, Des Moines, Iowa, Iowa Marriage Records, 1880–1922, Record Type: Marriage, Description: Volume: 386 (Tama – Wright); Ancestry.com, Iowa, U.S., State Census Collection, 1836-1925, (Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2007) Year: 1895, Township: Sixth Ward, Sioux City; Ancestry.com, U.S., City Directories, 1822-1995, (Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2011), Residence Place: Sioux City, Iowa, Years: 1893-1895; Ancestry.com, 1900 United States Federal Census, (Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2004), Year: 1900, Census Place: Sioux City, Woodbury, Iowa, Roll: 467, Page: 13, Enumeration District: 0175.

[5] “Woman Becomes Demented,” Sioux City Journal (Sioux City, IA: 16 Sep 1903), page 5; “Drives His Wife Insane,” Sioux City Journal (Sioux City, IA: 19 Sep 1903) page 6.

[6] “Cherokee Iowa~Cherokee State Hospital For the Insane~Lunatic Asylum~1915 RPPC,” Grelly, (https://www.grelly.uk/itm/cherokee-iowacherokee-state-hospital-for-the-insanelunatic-asylum1915-rppc-294445596992, accessed 16 Jul 2023).

[7] “Takes His Own Life in Jail,” Sioux City Journal (Sioux City, IA: 22 Sep 1903), page 3.

[8] “Ends Life with Razor,” The Courier (Waterloo, IA: 23 Sep 1903), 7.

[9] “Crickett’s Ghost Returns,” Sioux City Journal (Sioux City, IA: 28 Sep 1903), page 5.

[10] Ancestry.com, Iowa, U.S., State Census Collection, 1836-1925 (Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2007), Year: 1905, Residence Place: Sioux City, Woodbury, Iowa; “Troubles Make Her Insane,” Sioux City Journal (Sioux City, IA: 16 Apr 1907), page 5; “News Briefs,” Sioux City Journal (Sioux City, IA: 10 Mar 1908), page 10.

[11] The National Archives At Washington, D.C.; Washington, D.C., NAI Title: U.S., Civil War Pension Index: General Index to Pension Files, 1861-1934, NAI Number: T288, Record Group Title: Records of the Department of Veterans Affairs, 1773-2007, Record Group Number: 15, Roll: 103; “Mrs. Josephine Crickett,” Sioux City Journal (Sioux City, IA: 1 Jul 1943), page 11; “‘Loving’ Niece Willed Estate,” Sioux City Journal (Sioux City, IA: 2 Jul 1943), page 17; “Estate Valued at $984” Sioux City Journal (Sioux City, IA: 13 Aug 1943), page 13.

[12] Remembering Them, “Walter R. Crickett,” Find A Grave, (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/117226860/walter-r-crickett, posted 17 Sep 2013, accessed 8 Jul 2023).

Citation for this article: Samuel L. Russell, “Private Walter R. Crickett, I Troop, 7th Cavalry—Campaign Letter,” Army at Wounded Knee (Carlisle, PA: Russell Martial Research, 2018-2023, https://wp.me/p3NoJy-1Vd), posted 16 Jul 2023, accessed _______.