States, a short distance from where the Arkansas leaves the Rocky mountains, and thence down that river to where the road leading to Santa Fe crosses that river from the State of Missouri to the Mexican States, and pursue that road to the settlements.

I continued my march, and arrived at the Grand Pawnee village on the 21st of June. Major Dougherty had sent his interpreter in advance to notify the different bands of the Pawnee Indians of my intention to meet them in council on the 23d of June, which I did.

On the 24th I marched for the forks of the Platte river, where I was informed I would meet the Arickara or Rees Indians. I despatched a messenger with two Arickara chiefs in advance of my command to convene these Indians. My messenger arrived with the principal chiefs and braves of the Arickaras, about one day's march above the forks. I remained in council with these Indians on the 6th of July, made them a few presents, and marched on the 7th up the south fork.

On the 16th of July I was in full view of the Rocky mountains, covered with snow. On the 24th I could see where the South fork of the Platte left the mountains. I then changed my course south, near the foot of the mountains in the direction of the head of the Arkansas river. On the 28th of July I encamped in full view of Pike's Peak. The next morning two Spaniards arrived at my camp and stated they had been sent by traders from the Arkansas river, about five miles from the point where that river leaves the Rocky mountains. Here I saw about sixty lodges of the Arepaha Indians, with their families. This nation claims the country from the South fork of the Platte to the Arkansas, and numbers about eleven hundred warriors. They have never entered into a treaty with the United States. I found them desirous of cultivating the most friendly understanding with me. From this place I despatched a messenger with a few dragoons in search of some of the principal chiefs of the Arepahas, with some of the Cheyenne and Blackfeet Indians who were on the waters of the Platte.

On the 31st of July I commenced my march down the Arkansas and arrived at the fort of Bent and St. Vrain on the 4th of August. This fort is built on the Arkansas rlver, about one hundred and thirty miles from the Rocky mountains; its owners are trading under a license from the Superintendent of Indian affairs at St. Louis. They erected the fort to protect them against a sudden attack of Indians, and have a six-pounder and several small, light fieldpieces; they trade with the Arepaha and Cheyenne Indians, and also with the Camanches of Red river. At this place I met a number of the Cheyenne Indians. On the 6th of August my messenger arrived with one of the principal chiefs of the Arepaha Indians and some of the Blackfeet who reside with the Arepahas. On the 7th I met a large assembly of Indians in council, and endeavored to explain to them the views and wishes of the Government. small deputation of Pawnees accompanied my command from the Pawnee village and had a friendly understanding with their old enemies, the Arepaha and Cheyenne Indians. I made a few presents to them in the name of the President of the United States, which appeared to have a great effect upon them, they being the first ever made to the Arepahas or Blackfeet. At this

A

council I learned that the Osages and Arepahas, who had been at war for many years, had made peace, and that a party of Osages had gone to the Camanches on Red River to confirm the peace made between them last year. Mr. Bent, of the trading house of Bent and St. Vrain, arrived at Fort William on the Arkansas the day after the council. He had visited the Camanches on Red river, and stated that he had seen upwards of two thousand, and they had treated him with great kindness and expressed a desire to be included in the peace made by me with the Camanches last year.

On the 12th of August I took up my line of march down the Arkansas, and on the 14thı arrived at a village of Cheyenne Indians, of about sixty skin lodges. In the evening I held a council with the principal braves of this band. About eight o'clock next morning my attention was directed to the firing of small arms in quick succession at the distance of about half a mile, more than one hundred guns in one or two minutes. Supposing this firing to be an attack on the Cheyenne Indians by some of their enemies, and that this band might ask protection from me, I instantly formed the dragoons in order of battle until I could be informed of the cause of the firing. It was soon ascertained to be a party of Pawnees and Arickaras, about one hundred in number, under command of one of the principal chiefs of the Pawnees, who on arriving in vicinity of their old enemies fired their guns, to prove their friendly disposition by approaching with empty guns. I was much gratified to meet the Pawnees and Arickaras at a village of the Cheyennes on the Arkansas river. I had advised them in council on the river Platte to make peace with their old enemies, the Arepahas and Cheyennes. This I considered a fortunate meeting of the old enemies, as it enabled me as the mutual friend of all to effect, I hope, a lasting peace between them. The Cheyennes made presents to the Pawnees and Arickaras of upwards of one hundred horses, and the latter made a present of fifty of their guns to the Cheyennes. I endeavored to impress strongly on these Indians the mutual advantage to them of a lasting peace.

On my march down the Arkansas to the point where the road leading from the State of Missouri to Santa Fe crosses that river, nothing of moment occurred, except the death of one of the dragoons who was taken sick suddenly and died in two days. I have had the honor to command eleven mounted expeditions, and I have never seen mounted troops enjoy such good health. I had seldom more than two or three men on the sick report, and frequently not The dragoon horses performed well, and few of them were left behind on the march. The mules were generally in better condition than when they left the post.

one.

The duties of the company commanders were arduous, being without the aid of subalterns; the conduct of the officers has met with my entire approbation. The non-commissioned officers and dragoons of this command have done their duty and proved their ability to perform the active duties of the field.

On this tour of service the dragoons marched more than sixteen hundred miles. Enclosed you will receive the journal of the expedition, with my talks to the different nations of Indians, and a map of the country over which I marched.

The above report of the expedition with the journal and map referred to, were published by resolution of the United States Senate, Feb. 29th, 1836, and are preserved in American State Papers, Military Affairs, vi., 130-146. The journal recorded many interesting incidents of the march, and gave an account of the different tribes of Indians. We add a few

extracts from the journal:

The command consisted of three companies; two had forty men each, the third had thirty-seven men. Captain Gantt, Indian trader, who was well acquainted with the country, accompanied the detachment as guide.

June 3.-Crossed the baggage over the Big Nemalaw in a boat made of a beef's hide and a small wagon box, swam the horses without loss of horse or damage to baggage. 6th.--Crossed Little Nemahaw in same way. 7th.— Commenced our march over a beautiful and fertile country, diversified with wood and plain, creeks and ravines; saw a herd of elk, probably thirty or forty, but unable to approach near enough to shoot them.

June 10.-Large numbers of Ottoes came out to meet us, dressed in their gayest costume; mounted on horses, they formed into an extensive line and met us at full gallop; they manifested their joy by galloping around us and shaking every one by the hand they met. The Otto village is situated on a high prairie ridge, about two miles from the river, and overlooks the surrounding country. In front lay the green level valley of the Platte. The broad river could be seen for many miles wending its course through the valley, its shining surface here and there darkened by island groves of timber, the whole forming the most beautiful landscape. The village was neat in appearance; the lodges, built of wood, thatched with prairie grass and covered with dirt, were of circular form, with a pointed roof about fifteen or twenty feet high in the center. They build their fires in the middle of the lodge, leaving an opening in the roof for the smoke to escape. They plant their corn near the small creeks under the hills; they have no fences, and are obliged to watch their horses to prevent them from destroying their corn. At the time of our arrival they were preparing for their summer's buffalo hunt. They usually start by the first of June for the buffalo country, and remain absent killing buffalo and drying meat until about the first of September when they return bringing large quantities of dried meat.

June 11.-Col. Dodge held a council with the chiefs and warriors of the Ottoes, and said to them: "I am happy to meet you in your village in the presence of your father, Major Dougherty; he has come directly from Washington and knows the wishes of your great father, the President of the United States, with respect to all his red, children in his agency. My advice to you is to listen well to your father, and do as he directs you; your great father, the President, is doing everything in his power to make his red children happy; he wishes you to be at peace with all your neighbors, and raise corn and cattle for the support of your families; you have now to travel a great distance in search of