AN ENDING AND A BEGINNING

John Lapham Bullis's letter to "Mrs. Dr. A. R. Bullis" on February 19, 1865 was written "On the Field, with the 118th Col. Inf."  He wrote that he had lately joined the regiment with his detachment from
Dutch Gap to prepare for the spring campaign and added that he was busy building quarters "in camp to right of Fort Brady. Previous to Dutch Gap quite a stirring up by Rebel Fleet in our midst. Reb. gunboat Drury blew up."

The end of his Civil War experience brought to John Lapham Bullis the beginning of a new career on the Frontier. In his May 25, 1865 letter home from Camp Lincoln, Virginia, he wrote that he was expecting to move south soon to Texas.  What followed was a military career that distinguished him as a brilliant leader and earned him the rank of Brigadier General (although he would continue to be known as "Johnnie" to the folks back in Macedon.)

THE WHIRLWIND

John Lapham Bullis's military career spanned 43 years. During that time he received countless recognitions and promotions for his bravery and loyalty.

However, when he served as "Chief Scout at Fort Clark (Bracketville, Texas), he engaged in some of the most exciting and least known battles in the annals of American history." As a result Brigadier General D.S. Stanley stated that, "Bullis...has the most successful career of an Indian fighter that has ever been recorded in the history of the American Army." (True West Magazine, October, 1981, pages 12 & 13)

This True West article titled "John Bullis" documents battles in which Bullis and his Fort Clark scouts fought in the Indian Wars in southwestern United States and Mexico. This group of scouts (who called Bullis "The Whirlwind" or "Thunderbolt") consisted mainly of Seminole-Negro troops who greatly respected their leader not only for his military skill but also for his fairness and regard for those who served with him.

"The Seminoles' feelings for Bullis are best summed up in a statement years later by a former scout, Joseph Phillips: 'The scouts thought a lot of Bullis. Lieutenant Bullis was the only officer ever did stay the longest with us. That fella suffer jest like we all did out in de woods. He was a good man. He was a Injun fighter. He was tuff. He didn't care how big a bunch dey wuz, he went into 'em everytime, but he look after his men. His men was on equality, too. He didn't stan' back and say "Go yonder;" he would say, "Come on boys, let's go get 'em.'" (True West Magazine, October, 1981, page 13)

Space does not allow us to share all of the battles led by John Bullis. However, the "last conflict by Seminole scouts is credited by many historians as being the last action with hostile Indians in the state. Bullis' scouts literally saw the end of the Indian wars in Texas." (True West Magazine, October, 1981, page 18)

This last battle involved an attack by Lipan Indians on a home near the head of the Frio River in which two people were killed. Twelve days later the scouts were given instructions to follow and destroy the raiders. Although the trail was "cold," then-Lieutenant Bullis and his scouts successfully tracked the Lipans and spotted their camp less than a week later. They attacked the camp at daybreak and although four braves were killed and others captured, Bullis and his men suffered no casualties.

John Bullis was rewarded for his gallant actions by being breveted a Captain and a Major on the same day, February 27, 1890. Following that, "he relocated to New Mexico territory as Agent for the Pueblo and Jicarilla Indians." Then in 1897 he was appointed to U.S. Army Paymaster....."His days of action were finished." (True West Magazine, October, 1981, page 19)

His military career ended in 1905, but John Lapham Bullis--the Whirlwind--is still remembered and admired more than one hundred years later.

BULLIS FAMILY HISTORY, Part I

JOHN LAPHAM BULLIS:

Student, farm hand, sheep herder, trapper, business man, soldier, war hero--all of these terms describe Nettie and Charlie's Uncle John. Born in Macedon on April 17, 1841 to Dr. Abram R. and Lydia P.(Lapham) Bullis, he was the eldest of seven children.

Only limited information is available about his early years. We know he received the standard Quaker education at academies in Macedon and Lima. Notes taken during a conversation with Charlie Bullis about his Uncle John tell us:

"In his teens John Bullis went trapping in Canada to earn money.
Before going to Civil War had a horse and a flock of sheep. Always
trying to earn money and get ahead - plowing for his uncle, Stephen
Lapham, when he went to war (either at the first call or on 21st
birthday).

Went to school at Lima Seminary, at Lima, New York. At end of Civil
War, he was in civil life about a year and in business on the
Mississippi River where he bought timber and hired men to cut it up
and sold it for fuel in steamboats of Mississippi River...."

John Bullis's long and successful military career is well documented and tells of his loyal service that included many acts of bravery. He began as a corporal in the 126th New York Volunteer infantry on August 8, 1862. During the Civil War, at Harper's Ferry in September, 1862, he was wounded and captured, surrendered to Stonewall Jackson, then exchanged. At Gettysburg, on July 1-3, 1863, he was again wounded and captured at Pickett's Charge. This time he spent two or three months in Richmond, Virginia's Libby prison before again being exchanged. He was discharged from the service August 17, 1864, to accept an appointment as Captain in the 118th United States Infantry, Colored Troops, dating from August 18, 1864.

Captain Bullis and his regiment participated in a number of major combats with small forces of Confederates while being recruited near Owensboro, Kentucky as well as several combats near Fort Harrison, Virginia in the winter of 1864 and 1865. At Dutch Gap canal, in the spring of 1865, they were under fire almost continuously for about three months.

CONTINUED NEXT WEEK: More of John Lapham Bullis's military service and civil life.

NOTE: Information contained in this article is from the STATEMENT AS TO THE MILITARY RECORD IN THE UNITED STATES ARMY OF BREVET MAJOR JOHN L. BULLIS, 24TH INFANTRY, U.S. ARMY and other family papers.