150 Nebraska State Horticultural Society. 



elected to the council branch of the territorial legislature, serving for 

 four consecutive years. Was elected by the legislature public printer 

 and printed the laws and journals of the fourth session of the legisla- 

 ture. During his first session, he was author of the first common school 

 law for Nebraska; also of the law creating the Territorial, now State, 

 Board of Agriculture. During his term as legislator he introduced and 

 secured the passage of many acts of both local and general importance, 

 never failing in securing the passage of a bill when introduced. He was 

 conspicuous in the passage of an act declaring against holding slaves 

 in Nebraska. 



At the breaking out of the war between the states he was com- 

 missioned by then Acting Governor J. Sterling Morton colonel of terri- 

 torial militia, and afterward commissioned by Acting Governor A. S. 

 Paddock brigadier general in same service for district south of the 

 Platte river. Without solicitation on his part, was appointed and com- 

 missioned by President Lincoln, March 22, 1862, colonel in the regular 

 army. Was mustered in the service by Lieutenant C. S. Bowman, Fort 

 Leavenworth, Kansas, May 22, 1862. Under this commission he or- 

 ganized three Indian regiments from the "Indian Nation," composed of 

 Creeks, Seminoles, Choctawh, Chickasaws and Cherokee Indians, com- 

 manding the brigade. With these Indians he fought several successful 

 battles against white confederate soldiers on the border of Missouri 

 and in the Indian Territory. In this campaign Colonel Furnas had with 

 him as members of his staff and Indian advisers the two noted Seminole 

 chiefs, Opotholoho, then said to be over 100 years old, and Billy Bow- 

 Legs. These two Indian leaders, it will be remembered, were con- 

 spicuous characters in the Florida-Seminole Indian war of 1838. While 

 in this service Colonel Furnas captured the celebrated Cherokee Indian 

 chief, John Ross, and family, sending him to Washington, D. C, for 

 conference with the president of the United States. This terminated 

 trouble in the Indian Nation. Was detailed from this service with a 

 special commission from the noted "Jim Lane," to recruit in Nebraska. 

 Recruited largely the Second Nebraska Cavalry; entered that service 

 as a private; was commissioned captain of Company E; when regiment 

 was completed, was, by Governor Alvin Saunders, commissioned colonel 

 of same, and served under General Sully, in his northern Indian expe- 

 dition against Sioux and other hostile Indians north near British Po- 

 ssessions. The Second Nebraska Cavalry successfully fought the battle 

 of "White Stone Hill" against the treble number of the Sioux Indians. 

 After the expiration of term of services was honorably mustered out. 

 Soon thereafter, and without his knowledge until after, was appointed 

 by President Lincoln agent for Omaha Indians in northern Nebraska, 

 serving near four years. During that time had charge also of the Win- 



