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I am seaking some valid dates and family of this person. by Vern Taylor.
Hist. Record, December 1889, JENSON--CHURCH ENCYCLOPAEDIA, pg. 980
McKissock, a U. S. quartermaster, 917.
IGI:
WILLIAM M. D. MCKISSACK
Birth: 1813 , , New Jersey
Death: 27 JAN 1849 (sic, a Captain McKissack lived past 1860)
Fort Mann, Kansas
"1847 - 1848" LETTERS
Captain W. M. D. McKissack to Jesup. Dated Santa Fe 31 August 1847. N.A. -- Record Group 92. <http://www.stjohnks.net/santafetrail/research/fortmannrawhitefn.html>
Early in 1847 Captain William M. D. McKissack, assistant quartermaster to the Army of the West stationed in Santa Fe proposed the erection of a government depot on the trail equidistant between Leavenworth and Santa Fe. McKissack's justification for the post's existence is borne out in a letter from his to the quartermaster-general at Fort Myer:
"In crossing the plains there is no means of securing Wagons that become unservicable for want of repairs; generally the bands, tires, spokes, etc. become loose on account of the dryness of the atmosphere and having no means of repairs; in such cases, the Wagons are abandoned. . . . .
Owing to the great number of Wagons abandoned on the plains I make arrangements to erect Whellwright, Smith & Store houses near the crossing of the Arkansas; the rwork was performed by Teamsters, and occupied by them".
http://www.electricscotland.com/history/america/trails.htm
Fort Mann is another not so well known or well garrisoned fort. It was located a few miles west of Dodge City in Ford County Kansas on the bank of the Arkansas River east of the site of the old Fort Atkinson. It was located 25 miles east of the Cimmaron Crossing of the Santa Fe Trail.
Fort Mann was established as it was of equal distance from Fort Leavonworth to Santa Fe New Mexico Territory. The government needed this garrison as a stop over point for the repair of their wagons and replacement of animals. Built by Captain Daniel Mann, master teamster, (for whom the fort was named), and a corps of forty teamsters were directed by William McKissack, Captain and assistant quartermaster.
USMB Orders 1846:
(2) The commanding officer calls the particular attention of company commanders to the necessity of reducing the baggage as much as possible; transportation is deficient. The road most practicable is of deep sand and how soon we shall have to abandon the wagons it is impossible now to ascertain. Skillets and ovens cannot be taken, and but one camp kettle to a mess of not less than ten men. Our Pioneer Heritage, Vol. 1, p.462
(3) Company commanders will make their requisitions on the Assistant Quartermaster, Captain W. M.D. McKissock, for mules and wagons, provision bags, pack saddle complete, and such other articles as are necessary for the outfit. Our Pioneer Heritage, Vol. 1, p.462 By order of Lieut. Col. Cooke
According to Daniel Tyler's journal this detachment took up its line of march and on the 18th of October, he states that they made good time traveling considering the feeble condition of the men and the miserable plight of the teams. The sick men and the women were obliged to walk much
of the way. On the fifteenth of November they were within four miles of Pueblo and on the 17th they crossed the Arkansas River, and arrived at the old fort. Our Pioneer Heritage, Vol. 1, p.462
The Pony Express April 3, 1860, to late October 1861
Ad in California newspaper read: "Wanted. Young, skinny, wiry fellows. Not over 18. Must be expert riders. Willing to risk death daily. Orphans preferred." Most riders were around 20. Youngest was 11. Oldest was mid-40s. Not many were orphans. Usually weighed around 120 pounds.
Our Pioneer Heritage, Vol. 3, p.347 Each rider was supplied with a red flannel shirt and blue trousers, but mostly they dressed as they saw fit. The average costume consisted of a
buckskin shirt, ordinary trousers tucked into high boots and a slouch hat or cap. A pair of Colt revolvers in his holsters, sometimes a dagger and a Spencer rifle, which was later discarded because it proved too cumbersome, completed his outfit. He was under oath to be on hand for duty, but it was the station keeper's responsibility to watch for the approach of the Express rider and have a horse saddled and bridled at least thirty minutes before he arrived. His approach was watched for carefully and sometimes his presence was made known by a series of lusty whoops or the blowing of a horn. He was instructed to keep out of the way of Indians and unscrupulous white men who might be attracted by the monetary value of the mail, since the high rate of postage precluded its use for frivolous correspondence.
Letters were written on the thinnest procurable paper in fine handwriting to economize space, then carefully wrapped in oilskin before being inserted in the compartments of the mochila. The Pony Express rider was held responsible for the delivery of those precious letters and documents on time. His wage was from $50.00 to $150 but he was housed and fed at the company's expense. Our Pioneer Heritage, Vol. 3, p.347
PONIES: To establish the Pony Express required 500 more of the best blooded American horses, and 200 station tenders to care for them and have them saddled and bridled for the incoming riders—they having only two minutes to change their mounts. The selection of the ponies was made with the greatest discrimination. Speed was the first requirement, but the ability to keep going under varying [p.348] conditions was of the utmost importance.
The Missouri Democrat of March, 1860 stated that ponies were being brought from Captain McKissack at Fort Leavenworth.
Black, Porter, Johnson, Bloxham, BYU, Biographies, Mormon Battalion M. D. McKissock (?-?)
MILITARY SERVICE: Assistant Quartermaster, Mormon Battalion
M. D. McKissock is not listed on the Archives 351, Iowa, or Smoot records as being a member of the Mormon Battalion.
Times and Seasons, Vol.6, Pg.1054
On the other hand, the Cherokee Advocate, avows, that these proceedings have nothing to do with politices, but are the ebullitions of popular feeling, irritated by a long series of outrages, and maddened by the perpetration of one of deep enormity; 'and that paper counsels the pursuit and arrest of the outlaws, five or six in number, who have done so much mischief and caused the recent enormities. The Advocate says:
Major Bonneville, U.S.A., arrived Evansville, some time last week, having been dispatched from Fort Smith, by Gen. Arbuckle, to inquire into the State of affairs in that section. Col. McKissick, U. S. Agent for the Cherokees, and Captain Boone, with from Fort Gibson, for the purpose of preventing any further effusion of blood, and to afford protection to any person that might desire it. We are glad of their location on the line, under the command of Capt. Boone, a prudent and gentlemanly officer, as they will prevetn any unnecessary officiousness from beyond, that might otherwise occur.
Journal History, 15 Oct 1846 from Doc. History 389
111. Company commanders will make their requisitions on the assistant quartermaster, Capt. W. M. D. McKissock, for mules, wagons provisions, bags, pack saddles complete and such other articles as are necessary for the outfit.
Journal History, 31 Dec 1846
Lieutenant Wm. W. Willis reported the travels and proceedings of his detachment since November 25th as follows: "After reporting to Colonel Price, commanding at Santa Fe, and receiving orders to proceed to Pueblo and draw supplies from Bent's fort, in the meantime to draw from Quartermaster McKissock the necessary mules, pack saddles, blankets, and rations for the march to Pueblo, I received from said Quartermaster ten mules and pack saddles, ropes and other fixtures necessary for packing. With this outfit we were required to perform a march of three hundred miles over the mountains and in the winter. On December 4th we commenced our march. Packing was a new business to all of us and we did not at first get along with it very well.
The first day we marched about ten miles and camped. We held a council and decided that Brother Brazier, who was sick, should have a mule; that Thomas R. Burns, being an able-bodied man, should remain with him to take care of him, and that they should proceed as they were able until they could reach Mr. Turley's, at which place I determined on leaving those that were not able to cross the mountains to Pueblo.
Hist. Record, August 1889, JENSON--THE MORMON BATTALION, pg. 916-917
"On my arrival at that place, General [page 917] Price, commander of the post, ordered me to Pueblo, on the Arkansas River. He also ordered Quarter-master McKissock to furnish us with the necessary provisions, mules, etc. I obtained from the quarter-master ten mules and pack-saddles, ropes and other fixtures necessary for packing. With this outfit we had to perform a journey of about three hundred miles, over the mountains, and in the winter.
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