March 1864

Series I, Vol. XXXIV, Part II

Page 510 LOUISIANA AND THE TRANS-MISSISSIPPI. Chapter XLVI.

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF KANSAS,

Fort Leavenworth, March 5, 1864.

Lieutenant Colonel WILLIAM O. COLLINS,

Eleventh Ohio Cavalry, Commanding, Fort Laramie:

COLONEL: Yours of the 17th ultimo is just received. No inclination exists on my part to change your troops, but I wish heartily your regiment was full. I anticipate a great rush of armed goldhunters to your neighborhood, and we may have to escort them. I have made a requisition for mountain howitzers, to be used in strengthening posts and saving men on the stage route, so more of the troops could be used on escort duty.

You may always write direct to these headquarters, on any and all matters of interest to your regiment and the posts you command, but at the present continued to report as you have been latterly assigned, to the Denver district. I do not know why you were shifted from the Nebraska. I suppose your supplies can be obtained most economically from the nearest supplies, which are in Iowa. I also agree with you that good ponies are best for our mounted men on the plains, and I shall so present the matter to the Quartermaster-General but as to sending troops up the Missouri, I do not see where they could be landed better than at Omaha or Sioux City, to join

Page 511 Chapter XLVI. CORRESPONDENCE, ETC. - UNION.

you by marching across. We have not the troops, however, and I fear if we would try to raise them we would be filled up with goldhunters that desert to the mines the moment they come near them. Many think you will suffer greatly by desertions.

I shall continue to feel great anxiety about your command, and therefore support you by every means in my power. All the intelligence you can give of routes and probable truth of reports as to the mines may be of use to me in my spring and summer arrangements. If other duties do not prevent I may drop in on you when the snow is gone. I have just returned from the south portion of my department. What you say concerning snow is important, and I will be glad to know its progress in melting and any extraordinary floods you may hear of also the friendly or hostile conduct of Indians north of you. All these matters are important to the successful administration of your and my commands. I will also present to the pay department the necessity of a visit to your troops as soon as circumstances will allow.

I remain, colonel, very truly, yours,

S. R. CURTIS,

Major-General.

Series I, Vol. XXXIV, Part II

Page 606 LOUISIANA AND THE TRANS-MISSISSIPPI. Chapter XLVI.

WASHINGTON, March 14, 1864-3.30 p. m.

Lieutenant-General GRANT,

Nashville, Tenn.:

General Curtis applies to retain the Seventh Kansas, now on furlough in his department. Numerous applications of the same kind have been made. I shall order every furloughed regiment back to its former command till you direct otherwise.

H. W. HALLECK,

Major-General.

WASHINGTON, March 14, 1864-2 p. m.

Major-General CURTIS,

Fort Leavenworth, Kans.:

The Secretary of War directs that the Seventh Kansas Regiment immediately return to its former command.

H. W. HALLECK,

General-in-Chief.

WASHINGTON, D. C., March 14, 1864-10.30 a. m.

General CURTIS,

Leavenworth City, Kans.:

Neither yourself nor any officer under your command will exercise authority over any troops not within the limits of your department when the order establishing it was issued. If any orders have been issued assuming command of troops outside of such boundaries, they will be immediately revoked.

H. W. HALLECK,

General-in-Chief.

Series I, Vol. XXXIV, Part II

Page 621 Chapter XLVI. CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.-UNION.FORT LEAVENWORTH, KANS., March 15, 1864.

(Received 9.50 p. m.)

Major General H. W. HALLECK:

Please inform me upon what ground you caution me against assuming command of troops outside of my boundaries. General Blunt, using the words of my order, has assumed command of the Indian Territory, including the military post of Fort Smith, proceeds the ambiguity relating to military post of Fort Smith and troops, purporting it has been submitted to headquarters for explanation [sic]. Pending that issue, the troops report to Brigadier-General Thayer, out of my command. All the troops that were in this department, near Fort Smith on the organization of the department, have been moved into Arkansas, and will of course require orders from you to bring them back. The posts of Laramie and Fort Halleck, on the overland mail route, have been reporting through the District of Colorado to these headquarters, although they are probably north of my department. Are these troops excluded from my control, or shall they, as formerly, continue to so report?

S. R. CURTIS,

Major-General.

Series I, Vol. XXXIV, Part II

Page 633 Chapter XLVI. CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.-UNION.FORT LEAVENWORTH, [March] 16, 1864.

Colonel W. A. PHILLIPS,

Fort Gibson, via Fayetteville.

Have directed General Blunt, now commanding district at Fort Smith, troops in my department must not move out without my orders, orders from my superiors, or on some temporary duty or necessity, from which they should return as soon as possible.

S. R. CURTIS,

Major-General.

EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT, COLORADO TERRITORY,

Denver, March 16, 1864.

Colonel J. M. CHIVINGTON,

Commanding District of Colorado:

SIR: I inclose for your consideration extracts from a letter received from Major S. G. Colley, Indian agent, Upper Arkansas, relating to threatened Indian hostilities, and request that a copy thereof be sent to department headquarters.

I have the honor to be, your obedient servant,

JNO. EVANS,

Governor and Ex Officio Superintendent of Indian Affairs.

[Inclosure.]

Extracts from a letter received by Governor Evans from Major S. G. Colley, Indian Agent, Upper Arkansas Agency, dated March 12, 1864.

I found the Indians all quiet at Fort Larned, but the Arapahoes and Cheyennes still insist the the Sioux will make a raid on the settlements on the Arkansas and Platte Rivers some time during the spring or early in the summer. A small party of Arapahoes and Cheyennes went against a party of Utes who were encamped on the Saint Charles and succeeded in running off 50 or 60 ponies belonging to the Utes. The Utes pursued them and overtook them on an island, some 5 or 6 miles above this place, killed 3 Cheyennes and 1 Arapahoe, and retook all their ponies.

While at Fort Larned I learned that there was a prospect of a war between the Arapahoes and the Kiowas. Last fall 4 Arapahoes accompanied the Kiowas on one of their raids into Texas. The Kiowas returned without the Araphoes and brought one scalp, which they said belonged to a Shawnee which they had killed. The Arapahoes

Page 634 LOUISIANA AND THE TRANS-MISSISSIPPI. Chapter XLVI.

have found some of the ponies among the Kiowas which belonged to their friends, and say if they do not return when the grass grows, they will then know that the Kiowas have killed them. Both tribes are making preparations for war, and if it comes all the tribes will become involved.

I would recommend that the garrisons at Forts Kearny and Lyon and Larned be strengthened, so that if necessary the settlements may be protected. If the Indians go to war among themselves, I fear that it will extend much farther.

Series I, Vol. XXXIV, Part II

Page 670 LOUISIANA AND THE TRANS-MISSISSIPPI.PUEBLO, March 20, 1864.

Colonel J. M. CHIVINGTON,

Commanding District of Colorado:

COLONEL: Having started for Fort Garland to inspect the troops at that post, I learned that the scurvy had broken out at Fort Lyon and that the command was in serious danger and when at Hicklan's

Page 671 Chapter XLVI. CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.-UNION.

Ranch, on the Greenhorn, I received a report of the inspection of the troops at that post, I concluded to first visit Fort Lyon and then if I had sufficient time to visit Fort Garland, which I am now about doing, and for which reason I will not be able probably to make my report as early in the month as usual. I therefore take this opportunity to inform you that the surgeon at Fort Lyon reports to me that there is not an officer or man at that post who is not affected with the scurvy, and that many of the cases are serious and need immediate attention.

As I cannot learn that there is a sufficient supply of vegetables, &c., anti-scorbutics, to be obtained this side of the divide, and as the danger of freezing in crossing the divide is so great, I would most respectfully suggest the removal of these troops to the Platte or that vicinity, and their places supplied by the troops now stationed at Camps Weld, Sanborn, and Collins. The surgeon at Camp Fillmore also stated that a large portion of Company L, First Colorado Cavalry, is also affected, many of them seriously.

Hoping, colonel, that this will meet your immediate consideration, I most respectfully remain, yours,

J. DOWNING,

Major First Colorado Cavalry and District Inspector.

Series I, Vol. XXXIV, Part II

Page 684 LOUISIANA AND THE TRANS-MISSISSIPPI. Chapter XLVI.

GENERAL ORDERS,

HDQRS. DEPARTMENT OF KANSAS, Numbers 14.

Fort Leavenworth, Kans., March 21, 1864

I. Commanders of districts and their subordinates will not inaugurate or send out military expeditions without orders from these headquarters, but the movement of troops within their own proper neighborhood should be frequent and always reported through the proper district to department headquarters, so as to give due credit for good or bad behavior of commands and preserve the history of the service. It is also expected that commanders of troops will attack or intercept foes when on a raid or otherwise they pass near or menace the vicinity.

II. Commanders of regiments will immediately make out and forward to these headquarters a list of all persons belonging to their respective regiments who are detailed on recruiting service, with length of time each one has been on such service and number of recruits obtained, if known, where stationed, and the propriety or otherwise of his return to duty with his command.

III. The following instructions, having been received at these headquarters, are published for the information and guidance of all concerned:

WASHINGTON, D. C., March 16, 1864.

Major-General CURTIS,

Fort Leavenworth:

So much of paragraph V of General Orders, Numbers 376, of 1863, from this office, as orders the assignment of men not re-enlisting as veteran volunteers to duty in other companies and regiments until the expiration of their term of service, is revoked, and all enlisted men assigned or transferred to other companies or regiments under this provision will be returned to their original company or regiment at once, if in the field or in case the regiment is on furlough, as soon as it returns.

By order of the Secretary of War:

E. D. TOWNSEND,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

Page 685 Chapter XLVI. CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.-UNION. IV.

Some commanders of this department have failed to comply with the provisions of General Orders, Numbers 6, from these headquarters. Strict and immediate compliance with that order is enjoined.

V. The following officers are announced on the staff of the major-general commanding:

Major F. E. Hunt, paymaster, U. S. Army, chief paymaster.

Major C. S. Charlot, assistant adjutant-general.

VI. At the request of Major General W. S. Rosecrans, Brigadier-General Ewing, U. S. Volunteers, is relieved from duty in this department, and will report at department headquarters, Saint Louis, Mo.

VII. All of this department lying north of the 40th degree of north latitude is placed in the District of Nebraska.

VIII. Any person having signed enlistment papers and taken the enlistment oath is a soldier, and can only be discharged according to regulations and general orders. Any officer inducing or allowing such a person to enlist again brings himself within the provisions and penalties of the Twenty-second Article of War.

By command of Major-General Curtis:

JOHN WILLANS,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

Series I, Vol. XXXIV, Part II

Page 742 LOUISIANA AND THE TRANS-MISSISSIPPI. Chapter XLVI.

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF KANSAS,

Fort Leavenworth, Kans., March 26, 1864.

His Excellency Governor JOHN EVANS, Denver City, Colo.:

GOVERNOR: I am in receipt of a communication, forwarded by Your Excellency, coming from Major S. G. Colley, Indian agent, Upper Arkansas, concerning threatened hostilities among Indian tribes. I am glad to have transmitted to my notice all intelligence of a credible nature Your Excellency can send me, and I will take due notice and govern myself accordingly.

Page 743 Chapter XLVI. CORRESPONDENCE, ETC. - UNION.

I am obliged to draw every man who can be spared from the Indian frontier to operate against rebels who have devastated this State of Kansas and should be kept south of the Arkansas, and I hope you will advise me both of danger and no danger, so I can use every man you can spare in assisting to crush out the infernal rebellion. I congratulate you, Governor, on the prospect of your early admission as a State, and shall always glory in having participated in Congressional efforts to secure your first territorial organization.

I have the honor to be, Governor, your very obedient servant,

S. R. CURTIS,

Major-General.

Series I, Vol. XXXIV, Part II

Page 789 Chapter XLVI. CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.-UNION.HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT OF THE FRONTIER,

Fort Smith, March 30, 1864.

Major General S. R. CURTIS,

Commanding Department of Kansas:

GENERAL: In your of the 18th instant you remark that you are in receipt of a latter from the honorable Secretary of the Interior, in which he speaks of his ' misadventures," caused last year by promises or expeditions held out by commands in the Indian Territories which were not realized." Since my official connection with the Indians and Indian troops, knowing well the Indian character, I have been very to make them no promises except such as I knew I could fulfill and having always complied with all my prisoners, I believe that I have had and still continue to have their entire confidence, as expressed in the resolutions of the Cherokee council last winter, copies of which I inclose.

I am aware that promises have been made the Indian at a different times by their immediate commanders, Colonels Phillips and Ritchie, that never were fulfilled but such promises were made without my knowledge or direction. I will see that they do not cause the same difficulty again. I am not at a loss to understand the reason why the Secretary of the Interior in times that General Mitchell would be preferred to command the Indian Territories. While lately in

Page 790 Chapter XLVI. LOUISIANA AND THE TRANS-MISSISSIPPI.

Washington I observed that General Mitchell was importuning the Secretary of War and the Indian Department to be assigned to this command. The latter you refer to from the honorable Secretary of the Interior is doubtless the result of his (General Mitchell's) efforts, and the reason assigned for the preference was the best that could be found.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

JAS. G. BLUNT,

Major-General.

Series I, Vol. XXXIV, Part II

Page 792 Chapter XLVI. LOUISIANA AND THE TRANS-MISSISSIPPI.

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE NORTHWEST,

Milwaukee, Wis., March 30, 1864.

Major General H. W. HALLECK,

Chief of Staff of the Army, Washington, D. C.:

GENERAL: I send you to-day an extract from a letter just received from General Sibley, with an indorsement thereon. In addition thereto I desire to in time your attention to a few points in relation to affairs in Minnesota, which are doubles familiar t you in relations to the state of affairs everywhere on the frontier. The efforts now being made to have troops sent South from Minnesota are made, first by person connected with our unfortunate Indian system, agents, Indian traders, whisky seller, contractions, &c. Every one of these person desires to perpetuate Indian hostilities and the resulting Indian treaties, involving the payment by Government of large sums of money and the purchase an transportation of quantities of goods. When the Indian war is really ended by driving the Indians entirely beyond reach of the settlements of Minnesota the business of such people is brought to an end. They therefore do not desire to get rid of the Indians, nor do they favor any maecenas which will bring their connection with the Indians to an end. The military operations in this department during the coming season promise to separate the Indians entirely from any communication with Minnesota, and to place them far beyond reach of the people of that State. Hence the persons I have mentioned are opposed to the operations which promise so complete a success, and

Page 793 Chapter XLVI. CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.-UNION.

seek to bring the military purpose to an unsuccessful issue. This can now be done only by inducing the War Department to order off a sufficient number of troops to prevent success. Second, these applications for removing troops are made thought the influence and by the agency of the political opponents of the Government, who seek means to make war upon the Administration. A continuance of Indian hostilities, and the number of emigrants crossing the plains, will furnish them with abundant material. Hence, they also are anxious to send away troops from the frontier.

Your experience in California has no doubt made you familiar with these difficulties which surround every military commander on the frontier. The very persons to raise a clamor against the Government for removing troops from the frontier and leaving the inhabitants and the emigrants to the mercy of hostile. Indians are the people who are now unaging the authorities in Washington to do the very thing they will hereafter complain of. The force inn this department is very small, not exceeding 3,800 men all told. Such a force would not add much to any army in the South, whilst here they can, during the prevent summer, settle the Indian question throughout the Northwest, from Minnesota to the Rocky Mountains, on a foundation which will last many years and save the Government millions of dollars. These questions must ve settled some time.

We can do it now. Is it not best?

I am obliged to send to General Sully nearly the whole force in Minnesota to furnish him with the force he deems absolutely necessary to deal with the hostile bands which are combining to prevent the navigation of the Missouri River and the passage of emigrants across the plains. Only 700 man all together will be left in Minnesota, all of whom I shall send South as soon as I can possibly take them away. You may rely confidently on my not retaining a men in this department more than in needed, nor a moment after he can be spared.

I would suggest respectfully that of necessity I must be better acquainted with the necessities of this department and the whole field of operations than irresponsible parties from Saint Paul or elsewhere in Minnesota, who neither know the condition of affairs west of them nor force stationed there. Whilst these people in Minnesota are unaging that troops be sent South, the people farther west and the great horde of emigrants are applying here and at Washington for more troops and more post to protect the emigration. I know that I shall do the best I can for the public interests, and I hope I am not actuated in the views herein expressed by any sort of wish to keep troops in this department which are not needed here. I beg, general, that you will give this letter some consideration, and, if you think it necessary, that you will refer it to the Secretary of War.

I am, general, respectfully, your obedient servant,

JNO. POPE,

Major-General, Commanding.