The Caspar Collins Map Collection

One of the unique and outstanding holdings of the Archives and Special Collections Department is a set of hand-drawn maps executed by a young Army lieutenant named Caspar Collins, depicting camps and stations once found in areas of the Western Plains where Germans from Russia later settled or passed through on their migrations farther west.

As a young child in Ohio, Caspar Wever Collins gained a passion for nature and artistry from his mother, Catherine. When his father, William Oliver Collins, was commissioned in the United States Army as a Colonel, he was ordered to travel west to help protect telegraph lines and emigrants from the East. Although he was not yet 18 years old, Caspar was determined to go with his father. In March 1862, they left Ohio for St. Louis. Along the route, Caspar recorded the new sites in drawings and letters. The company his father commanded was ordered to move further west, and Caspar recorded the camps and stations they saw in excellent detail and with vivid colors on linen maps. Caspar made maps of most of the forts his father commanded, and these were used officially by the War Department.

On 30 June 1863, Caspar was commissioned in the Army as a Second Lieutenant and became part of Company G of the Eleventh Ohio Volunteer Cavalry. In the autumn of 1864, he was assigned responsibility for the garrisons at South Pass, St. Mary's, Sweetwater, and Three Crossings. In February 1865, Caspar was stationed at Deer Creek in Wyoming and promoted to the rank of First Lieutenant on 1 May; however, it is believed that he was not mustered to that position because of a delay in orders.

At this time, Army posts and emigrant travelers were suffering from constant Indian raids. The Sand Creek Massacre in Colorado and the hanging of two Indian chiefs at Fort Laramie were two of the major events that provoked the fateful attack on Platte Bridge Station in July 1865. Though rivals in many ventures, Indian tribes banded together to take on the Army and chose Platte Bridge Station as the ideal target because it was one of the most important crossings on the North Platte River.

Caspar arrived at Platte Bridge Station late in the night of 25 July and on the morning of the 26th he was ordered to escort a wagon train to the station. Despite the fact that the order was not given by his commander and the mission was clearly suicide, Caspar obeyed. Witnesses estimated three to five thousand Indians were attacking, but were well hidden and their numbers were not realized until it was too late. Caspar's body was found on 28 July, mutilated almost beyond recognition. On 15 August an order was given to have Caspar's remains and belongings collected, with the hope of sending them home at the earliest possible date. Not until nearly a year later, on 24 July 1866 did his remains reach his home of Hillsboro, Ohio, where they were interred. (Spring, pp.32-97)

Before her death, Caspar's mother donated his maps of the expedition to Colorado State University, along with several items belonging to his father. The Archives and Special Collections Department possesses no deed of gift for the Caspar Collins maps; therefore the exact date of accession cannot be determined. The original maps are fragile and use is therefore limited. However, there are other types of media available for researchers to view. In addition to the digital images available for access on this site, there are negative photocopies of all the maps, as well as glossy photocopies of each individual station map. These have also been preserved on microfiche. Potential researchers should contact the department to arrange a visit.

Maps by Caspar Collins