From a
St. Louis paper of July 22.
Fort Atkinson, 3d July, 1823
Dear Sir: How painful for me to tell, and you to hear,
of the barbarity of the Indians. They continue to deceive and murder the
most enterprising of our people; and, if we continue to forbear – if we do
not soon discover a greater spirit of resentment, this river will be
discolored with our blood.
The defeat of Gen. Ashley by the A’Rickarees, and
departure of the troops to his relief, had scarcely gone to you, when an
express arrived announcing the defeat by the Blackfoot Indians, near the
Yellow Stone river, of the Missouri Fur Company’s Yellow Stone or Mountain
Expedition, commanded by Messrs. Jones and Immell, both of whom, with five
of the men, are amongst the slain. All of their property, to the amount of
about $15,000 fell into the hands of the enemy.
To add to Gen. Ashley’s catalogue of misfortunes, the
Blackfoot Indians have recently defeated a party of 11, & killed Maj.
Henry’s men, near his establishment at the mouth of the Yellow Stone river.
The express goes on to state, that “many circumstances (of which I will be
apprized in a few days) have transpired to produce a strong belief that the
British traders (Hudson Bay Company) are exciting the Indians against us,
either to drive us from that quarter, or reap with the Indians the fruit of
our labor”.
I was in hopes that the British traders had some bounds to their
rapacity. I was in hopes that during the late Indian war, in which they were
so instrumental in the indiscriminate massacre of our people, that they had
become completely satiated with our blood; but it appears not to have been
the case. Like the greedy wolf, not yet gorged with the flesh, they guard
over the bone – they ravage our fields, and are unwilling that we should
glean them. Although barred by the treaty of
Ghent from participating in our Indian trade, they presumed, and
are not satisfied to do so; but, becoming alarmed at the individual
enterprise of our people, they are exciting the Indians against them. They
furnish them with the instruments of Hell, and a passport to Heaven – the
instruments of death, and a passport to our bosoms.
Immell had great experience of the Indian character;
but, poor fellow, with a British passport they at last deceived him, and he
fell a victim in his own credulity; and his scalp, with those of his
murdered comrades, are now bleeding on their way to some of the Hudson
establishements.
Another of Gen. Ashley’s wounded men is dead, making 15
men killed by the A’Ricarees, and 11 by the Blackfoot; in all, known to have
been killed by the Indians within the last two or three months, 26 effective
men; and I estimate the amount of property actually lost in the conflicts at
$20,000, besides a great number of horses, &c.
The Ottoes,
Missouris,
Omahas and Panis, have been to see me already, and as usual,
profess great friendship, & C. but, with the rest of the neighboring tribes,
are anxiously looking and listening to know how we (the Americans) are going
to get out of the scrape.
I am still in bad health, and almost despair of
recovering, during my stay here.
I am this moment interrupted by the arrival of an
express from the military expedition, with a letter from Mr. Pilsher, who
you know, is at the head of the Missouri Fur Company, on this river, in
which he says. “I have but a moment to write. I met an express from the
Mandans, bringing me very unpleasant news; the flower of my
business is gone. My Mountainers have been defeated, and the chiefs of the
party both slain – the party were attacked by three or four hundred
Blackfoot Indians, in a position on the Yellow Stone river, where nothing
but defeat could be expected. Jones and Immell, and 5 men were killed. The
forman it is said fought most desperately. Jones killed two Indians, and in
drawing his pistol to kill a third, he received two spears in his breast.
Immell was in front; he killed one Indian, and was cut to pieces. I think
we lose at at least $15,000. I will write you more fully between this and
the Sioux.”
Jones was a gentleman of cleverness. He was for
several years a resident of
St. Louis, where he had numerous friends to deplore his loss.
Immell has been a long time on this river, first an officer of the United
States’ army, since an Indian trader of some distinction – in some respects
he was an extraordinary man – he was brave, uncommonly large, and of
muscular strength – when timely apprised of his danger, a host within
himself. The express left the Military expedition on the first instant,
when all was well. With great respect, your most ob’t serv’t,
Ben O’Fallon
U.S. Agent for Indian Affairs.
General Wm. Clark,
Sup’t Indian Affairs,
St. Louis
[Contributed by: Nancy piper - 2008]
The Republican Compiler (Gettysburg, PA)
15 Oct 1823 Page 1 & 2
Washington, Oct. 4
Official Accounts
Head Quarters, Western Department
Louisville, Ken. Sept 21, 1823
Sir: I have the honor to transmit herewith, for the
information of the General-in-Chief, a copy of a letter from Col. H.
Leavenworth, reporting the handsome and honorable result of his late
expedition against the Ricaras Indians, number 1, with a copy of a treaty of
peace with that nation, No. 2.
I have directed Gen. Atkinson to take measures to
ascertain the temper and disposition of the Siouz, and their motives for
abandoning our troops at a time when their presence and aid were most
wanted. I have also directed him to keep an eye upon the Ricaras, as well
as the Mandans; and to make his arrangements with a view to the
chastisement of the Blackfoot Indians, early in the next spring or summer.
As this measure appears to be indispensably necessary, to secure our
citizens, in that quarter, I trust that the 1st regiment will be
permitted to take post at Council Bluffs, in November next.
Respectfully,
I have the honor to be,
E. P. Gaines, Maj. Gen.
[Contributed by: Nancy piper - 2008]
To the Adjutant General.
Head Quarters, 6th Regt.
Fort Atkinson, Aug. 30, 1823
Sir: I have the honor to inform you that the troops
who lately visited the Ricara Towns returned to this post on the 27th
inst.
We arrived before the Ricara Towns on th 9th
of the present month. The Siouz Indians, who were with us, were met by the
Ricaras a short distance from their towns, an a skirmish took place between
them. The Ricaras maintained their ground, or rather, drove the Sioux back,
until the regular troops and Gen. Ashley’s men arrived, and formed their
line. The Ricaras were then immediately driven into their towns. The Sioux
were so much scattered in front of the troops that the latter were unable to
deliver their fire, without killing some of the Sioux, and therefore did not
fire.
Our boats arrived subsequently during the evening of the 9th, and
our artillery was disembarked.
On the morning of the 10th, Captain Riley,
with a company of Riflemen and Lieut. Bradley, with a company of Infantry,
were ordered to take possession of a hill above the upper village. They
immediately took a position there within one hundred steps from the town,
and in a situation, which screened them from the fire of the enemy from the
towns.
At the same moment, Lt. Morris, with one six pounder,
and a five and half inch howitzer, commenced an attack on the lower town.
Sarjeant Perkins, with one six pounder, was ordered to report to Mr.
Vanderburg, of the Missouri Fur Company. This six pounder was placed above
the upper village. A brisk fire was continued upon the towns until 3 o’clock
in the afternoon. The Sioux were, in the mean time, busily engaged in
gathering and carrying off the corn of the Ricaras.
At 8 o’clock Major Ketchum was also ordered to the
upper village with his company. Between 3 and 4 o’clock the six pounder and
the troops opposed to the upper village, were withdrawn, and our whole force
concentrated below the lower village, and the troops ordered to form, for
the purpose of collecting corn for their own use, as Gen. Ashley’s men had
then been destitute of provisions for two days.
At this time, a party of Sioux, and a party of Ricaras,
both on horseback, were discovered holding a parley on the hill beyond the
upper town. It was also discovered that the Sioux were going off, though
they had given no intimation of their intention to do so. The Ricaras sent
out and begged for peace. They said that first shot from our cannon had
killed the celebrated Chief, called “Grey Eyes”, who caused all the
mischief, and that we had killed a great many of their people, and of their
hourses. They were evidently very much terrified, and completely humbled.
Being convinced of this, and supposing that the government would be better
pleased to have those Indians corrected than exterminated, and as the Sioux,
amounting to about 7 or 800 warriors, had left us in a very strange and
unaccountable manner, it was thought best, under all the circumstances of
the case, to listen to the solicitations of the Ricaras for peace,
especially as it was understood that our round shot were nearly all expended
– consequently, a treaty was made with them, a copy of which is enclosed.
In restoring to Gen. Ashley the property taken, it was
thought that the Indians did not perform their engagements on that subject,
as well as they were able to do; and they were threatened with an attack.
Their principal chief, the Little Soldier, came to us, and begged permission
to withdraw his family from the village before we attacked it; and he gave
us the most conclusive evidence of his friendly disposition towards us.
It was now late in the afternoon of the 12th,
the 10th and 11th having been spent in action and
negotiation, and interchanging visits, our men frequenting the towns for the
purpose of trading for mocassins, &c. and the Indians manifesting every
symptom of having been thoroughly brought to a sense of their interest and
duty. It was concluded to postpone the attack until morning, and the troops
were dismissed from parade.
It had been ascertained by me that the Indians were so
much alarmed by our threatening again to attack them, that they would
probably run away and leave their villages. This, it was thought, would
have an unfavorable effect upon the Indians, and make them more inclined to
commit depredations upon the traders; and, as the Little Soldier sent out,
for general Ashley, a few more buffalo robes, with a message that he could
not possibly do more, and begging that we would have pity on them, I sent
him word that I would not attack them; that it was not their property that
we wanted; to make his people feel safe, and conduct themselves well, and
they should not be hurt.
Early on the morning of the 13th, we found
the Ricaras had left their towns during the night.
Major Ketchum, with his company and company E.,
commanded by Lieut. Bradley, and Lieut. Morris, with one six pounder, were
ordered to take possession of the towns and to suffer not the least article
to be taken away, or the towns to be injured.
A messenger was sent to call back the Indians, if
possible, and to induce them to take possession of their villages, but they
could not be found. It was now evident that our artillery had been served
with very great effect. The towns had been completely riddled. We found 31
new graves, and found that several old ones had been opened, and the surface
set thick with prickly pears to conceal the new dirt. We know that 10 men,
who were killed by the Sioux in the skirmish on the 9th were
buried in five graves: and we know, alos, that more than one was buried in
several of the other graves. From the best evidence which he could collect,
it is supposed that more than 50 of their people were killed, and a great
number wounded. Our messengers returned on the evening of the 14th,
without having been able to find the Ricaras.
On the morning of the 15th we placed the
mother of the late chief, Grey Eyes, (an aged and inform woman, whom they
left in their flight,) in one of the principal lodges of the lower village,
gave her plenty of provisions and water, and left her in quiet possession of
the towns, and the property left by the Indians, except some corn which had
been taken for subsistence of the men.
At about 10 o’clock, on the evening of the 15th,
the troops were embarked to descend the river, and our guard withdrawn, and
every soul removed from the villages, except the woman beforementioned. All
the hosts were got under way nearly at the same time. Before we were out of
sight of the towns, we had the mortification to discover them to be on fire.
There is no doubt but they have been consumed to ashes, nor is there any
doubt but that they were set on fire by one M’Donald, a partner, and one
Gordon, a clerk of the Missouri Fur Company. Had not this been done, there
is no doubt, there is no room to doubt, but that the Ricara Indians, would,
in future, have behaved as well towards our countrymen as any other Indians
on the river. It is now my deliberate opinion, that those Indians will be
excited to further hostilities.
It is understood that this Company (the Missouri)
have withdrawn their trade from above the Sioux country. Not so with
Messrs. Ashley and Henry. They have a small number of men and a large
amount of property at the mouth of the Yellow Stone river, and they were
deeply interested in the correction and pacification of the Ricaras. Their
zeal and efficiency in aiding to chastise those Indians were conspicuous and
highly honorable.
We found the Ricara Indians in two villages, the lower
one containing 71 dirt lodges, and the upper village 70 dirt lodges. Each
village was enclosed with palisadoes or pickets, and a ditch, and a greater
part of the lodges had a ditch around the bottom on the inside. These
works, however, had been represented to be much stronger thatn what we found
them to be.
During our operations, we sustained no loss in men,
and had but two wounded, Hugh Johnston of Gen. Ashley’s command and Smith, a
private of Major Ketchum’s company.
Our officers and men have returned in fine health and
spirits, and it is well, for those left here are nearly all sick. Capt.
Fowle arrived here with 85 men (recruits,) on the 28th inst.
Our Spring wheat has doen well, and all our crops are
very good. No material losses will be sustained by our absence. In ascending
the river, we lost one boat, and seven men drowned, and had another boat
sunk by a storm. We lost one swivel and some ammunition, and some
provisions – a particular account of all of which shall be soon forwarded,
together with a statement of every item of expense.
I have been highly gratified with the officers and men
of the regiment, and also with Gen. Ashley and his command of 80 men, and
intend to do myself the honor to make a more detailed a circumstantial
account of all our proceedings, and of what was done by each, and hope that
what has been done will meet the approbation of our superior officers, and
of the government.
I have the honor to be, respectfully, your obedient
servant,
H. Leavenworth, Col. Commanding 6th
regt.
Brig. Gen. H. Atkinson, Commanding West Dept.
[Contributed by: Nancy piper - 2008]
Republican Compiler (Gettysburg, Pennsylvania)
March 24 1824 Page 3
Indians
The Louisville Post of the 2d instant says: “We have conversed with an
intelligent gentleman, just arrived from Missouri, who states
that much alarm was entertained by the inhabitants upon the frontier, as to
the hostile intentions of the Indians. Their conduct lately, had excited
considerable suspicion, and fears were entertained that they had joined in a
very extensive conspiracy to make war upon the white settlers.
The forces stationed in that part of the country were
healthy, and watching the movements of the Indians, but it was thought the
present force was not sufficient to keep these daring and restless people in
check, particularly if the conspiracy should prove as extensive as it was
feared. There are not more than three thousand men to guard a territory of
nearly five thousand miles, and keep in check upwards of twenty thousand
warriors, which can be brought into the field by the suspected tribes.”
[Contributed by: Nancy piper - 2008]
Republican Compiler (Gettysburg, Pennsylvania)
March 31 1824 Page 1
We understand that Gen. Atkinson is making preparatory
arrangements at St. Louis, for a military expedition, which is to
ascend the Missouri next summer, for the purpose of chastising
the Indians for their aggressions in that quarter. – Missouri
Intelligencer.
[Contributed by: Nancy piper - 2008]
Republican Compiler (Gettysburg, Pennsylvania)
April 14 1824
The St. Louis Enquirer denies the truth of the
statement which appeared in one of the Missouri papers relative
to a projected expedition of General Atkinson, for the Upper Missouri,
to chastise the Indians, and asserts no such expedition is in contemplation.
[Contributed by: Nancy piper - 2008]
Republican Compiler (Gettysburg, Pennsylvania)
May 5 1824
St. Louis, MO., March 29
Lieut. Morris, who arrived on Saturday evening last,
from the Council Bluffs, brings news of the murder of five men,
belonging to the trading establishment of Messrs. B. Pratte & Co., by the
Yanctons, and one of the Columbian Fur Company, by the Auricaree Indians.
[Contributed by: Nancy piper - 2008]
Republican Compiler (Gettysburg, Pennsylvania)
May 19 1824
[Contributed by: Nancy piper - 2008]
Aricara Indians
Accounts were received at Franklin,
Missouri, on the 24th of March, from officers of the Army
at Fort Atkinson, stating that “five or six men
belonging to Mr. Frazeau’s trading establishment, were lately killed near
the Aricara village, while ascending the Missouri river. They
were conveyed in a bateau, and were going up for the purpose of trading with
the Mandans and Aricaras. Within one day’s voyage of the Aricara
village, the patroon, apprehensive of danger, left his company, and
proceeded by land. He promised to rejoin them at the Mandans,
whose town, one mile above the Aricara’s, he entered under cover of the
night. The day after his arrival he received news that his men were all
murdered, his cargo captured, and his boat sunk. The amount of goods taken,
was at a cost, $1500. Mr. Tilton, a trader of the Mandans, sent
one of his men to the river for water, who was also met and killed by an
Aricara Indian.”
The Missouri Intelligences, which furnishes the above
account, has some excellent remarks on the inhuman effects of hunting and
trapping on the Indian lands, and driving the Indians farther towards the
shores of the Pacific, from the means of subsistence, and beyond the hope of
civilization. – Na. Intel.
Republican Compiler (Gettysburg, Pennsylvania)
July 14, 1824
Letters received at St. Louis from Gen. Wm. H. Ashley
on the 2d ult., state that three Americans (of Major Henry’s party) have
been killed by the Ricarees on the River Plate, and that the six men
reported to have been killed some time past, were killed by a band of a well
known Chief of the Ricarees.
[Contributed by: Nancy piper - 2008]
Republican Compiler (Gettysburg, Pennsylvania)
July 21, 1824
St. Louis, June 7
More Indian News
Mr. Vasques, just from the Upper Missouri, states that
five men of Major Henry’s party, in descending the Plate, were attacked by a
party of Aurickaree Indians and that three, Moore, Chapman and Glass were
killed; that the others Dutten and marsh, made their escape and arrived at
the Council Bluffs.
They state that Major Henry has built a fort at the
mouth of the Big Horn – that a Mr. Wheeler was killed by a white bear.
Capt. Smith, with some of the party, had crossed the mountains. – Enquirer
[Contributed by: Nancy piper - 2008]
Republican Compiler (Gettysburg, Pennsylvania)
August 4, 1824
The Aurickarees and Osages
Late accounts from the Upper Missouri
confirms the reports heretofore received of the Indian murders in that
quarter. – St. Louis Enquirer.
It now appears that after they fled from their
Villages, the Aurickarees sought the protection of the Mandans and obtained
on condition of future friendly deportment towards the whites – that this
was promised by all, except a small band who breathe nothing but vengeance,
and separated themselves from the main body; that the latter built a village
in the timber just below Tilton’s Fort, and induced him to trade with them.
They have robbed 3 men of Henry’s and killed 1 of Tilton’s and 4 of the
French Company.
They at length manifested such hostility as to make it
prudent for Tilton to abandon his fort, and remove within the Mandan
Villages, the Chiefs of which withdrew their protection from the Aurickarees,
who then formed a treaty with the Gross Ventures, who stipulated that in
case our troops should ascend the river to punish their outrages, their
allies should be left to meet their own fate. It is said that the
Aurickarees are now much alarmed expecting such a result, and have sent a
deputation to Colonel Leavenworth with a tale of repentance and sorrow, and
promises of future good conduct, upon condition of forgiveness of the past.
And to make it more palatable to the colonel, their outrages are enlarged
upon our traders who burnt their Villages.
[Contributed by: Nancy piper - 2008]