26, 1857.
No. 5. Letter from Gov. R. J. Walker to Gen. W. S. Harney, September
28, 1857.
No. 6. Letter from Gen. W. S. Harney to Gov. R. J. Walker, September
28, 1857.
Goternor Walker's Administration. 299
No. 7. Special orders No. 78, headquarters troops in Kansas, September 28,
1857.
No. 8. Letter from Capt. A. Pleasonton to Lieut. -Col. H. Brooks, Septem-
ber 28, 1857.
No. 9. Letter from Gov. R. J. Walker to Gen. W. S. Harney, October 3,
1857.
No. 10. Letter from Gen. W. S. Harney to Gov, R. J. Walker, October 3.
1857.
No. 11. Special orders No. 85, headquarters troops in Kansas, October 3, 1857.
No. 12. Letter from Capt. A. Pleasonton to Maj. H. J. Hunt, October 3,
1857.
No. 13. Letter from Capt. A. Pleasonton to Capt. T. Hendrickson, October
3, 1857.
No. 14. Letter from Capt. A. Pleasonton to Capt. E. W. B. Newby, October
3, 1857.
Letter from Gen. W. S. Harney to the secretary of war, October 11, 1857, en-
closing —
No. 1. Letter from Gen. W. S. Harney to Gov. R. J. Walker, October 9,
1857.
No. 2. Letter from Gov. R. J. Walker to Gen. W. S. Harney, October 10,
1857.
CHEYENNE EXPEDITION.
Arkansas River, near the site of Fort Atkinson, August 9, 1857.
Sir: I have the honor to report that, on the 29th ultimo, while pursuing the
Cheyennes down the Solomon's Fork of the Kansas, we suddenly came upon a
large body of them, ch-awn up in battle array, with their left resting upon the
stream, and their right covered by a bluff. Their number has been variouely es-
timated from 250 to 500; I think there were about 300. The cavalry were about
three miles in advance of the infantry, and the six companies were marching in
three columns. I immediately brought them into line, and, without halting, de-
tached the two flank companies at a gallop to turn their flanks ( a movement
they were evidently preparing to make against our right ), and we continued to
march steadily upon them. The Indians were all mounted, and well armed,
many of them had rifles and revolvers, and they stood, with remarkable boldness,
until we charged and were nearly upon them, when they broke in all directions,
and we pursued them seven miles. Their horses were fresh and very fleet, and it
was impossible to overtake many of them. There were but nine men killed in
the pursuit, but there must have been a great number wounded. I had two men.
killed, and Lieut. J. E. B. Stuart and eight men wounded ; but it is believed
they will all recover. All my officers and men behaved admirably. The next
day I established a small force near the battle-ground, and left my wounded
there in charge of a company of infantry with two pieces of artillery, with orders
to proceed to the wagon-train, at the lower crossing of the South Fork of the
Platte, on the 20th inst., if I did not return before that time.
On the 31st ultimo I started again in pursuit, and at 14 miles I came upon their
principal town. The people had all fled ; there were 171 lodges standing, and
about as many more that had been hastily taken down, and there was a large
amount of Indian property of all kinds, of great value to them. I had everything
destroyed, and continued the pursuit. I trailed them to within 40 miles of this
place, when they scattered in all directions. Believing they would reassemble
300 Kansas State Historical Society.
on this river, ( for there are no buflfalo in their country this summer on which
they can subsist, ) I have come here hoping to intercept them, and to protect this
road. I was obliged to send my wagon-train back to Laramie, from near Fort St.
Vrain, and to take pack-mules.
My supplies have been exhausted for some time, except fresh beef, and I have
beef only for 24 days. I shall send an express to Fort Leavenworth to have sup-
plies pushed out to me as soon as possible, for I do not think these Indians have
been sufficiently ijunished for the barbarous outrages they have recently commit-
ted. The battalion of the Sixth infantry, under Captain Ketchum, belonging to
my command, has had a long and arduous march. It is matter of deep regret to
them, as it is to myself, that I could not wait to bring them into the action. As
I have no supplies with which I can send these troops back to Laramie, I must take
them to Fort Leavenworth ; and if they are to return to Laramie this fall, I
would respectfully ask for authority to send them up in a light train.
I have the pleasure to report, what I know will give the lieutenant-general
commanding the army the highest satisfaction, that in these operations not a
woman nor a child has been hurt.
I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, E. V. SUMNER,
Colonel 1st Cavalry, Commanding Expedition.
The Assistant Adjutant-General, Headquarters of the Army, New York, N. Y.
Headquarters Cheyenne Expedition,
Arkansas River, one march below Fort Atkinson, August 11, 1857.
Sir: I have received authentic information from the mail party to-day that the
agent for the Cheyennes has gone up to Bent's Fort with the yearly presents for
that tribe, and that he has been informed by them that they would not come to
receive their presents in the usual way, but that he should never carry the goods
out of the country. Under these circumstances, I consider the agent and the
pubhc property in his charge in jeopardy. I have therefore decided to proceed
at once to Bent's Fort with the elite of my cavalry, in the hope that I may find
the Cheyennes collected in that vicinity, and, by another blow, force them to sue
for peace; at all events, this movement will secure this agent and the public prop-
erty. Another motive is, that by this march up the river I shall the more effectu-
ally cover this road from Indian depredations this summer.
I have directed Captain Ketchum, with his battalion and a part of the cavalry,
to proceed, by easy marches, to Walnut creek, and there await my return.
I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
E. V. SUMNER, Colonellst Cavalry, Commanding.
Assistant Adjutant-General, Headquarters of the Army, New York City.
Headquarters First Cavalry,
Fort Leavenworth, K. T., September 20, 1857.
Sir : I have the honor to submit a report of my operations during the past
summer, or rather a brief recapitulation of the reports already forwarded, I de-
tached Major Sedgwick, with four companies of cavalry, from this post on the
18th of May, to move by the Arkansas river, and to meet me on the South Fork
of the Platte on the Fourth of July. I marched, with two companies of cavalry,
on the 20th of May, for Fort Kearny, where, in compliance with orders, I took
up two companies of the Second dragoons stationed at that post, and moved on
towards Fort Laramie. When about 80 miles from the latter post, I received an
Governor Walker^s Administration. 301
order to leave the two companies of dragoons at Fort Kearny for General Harney's
expedition to Utah. As they were then so near Fort Laramie, instead of sending
them back to Fort Kearny, to march over the same ground three times, I took
them to Fort Laramie, and left them there : which, I trvist, was approved by the
general commanding the army. On the 27th of June I moved south from Fort
Laramie with two companies of cavalr^^ and three companies of the Sixth in-
fantry.
On the 4th of July I reached the South Fork of the Platte, and should have
formed a junction with Major Sedgwick on that day, but the river was entirely
impassable. On the next day I attempted to establish a ferry with the metallic
wagon-beds, but found them entirely useless, and was obliged to abandon it. The
two commands then moved down the river until I found a ford, and then brought
Major Sedgwick's command over to my camp.
It was my intention to establish a larger camp somewhere in that vicinity, and
form two columns for the pursuit of the Indians ; but hearing they would be in
force and would resist, I determined to abandon my wagons, train, tents, and all
other incumbrances, and proceed with my whole conunand in pursuit of the In-
dians. The train was sent back to Fort Laramie, with orders to meet me at the
lower crossing of the South Fork of the Platte in 20 days ; but, in pursuing the
Indians, I was drawn across the country to the Arkansas river, and we had noth-
ing but fresh beef to subsist upon for some time. I found the trail of the Indians
on the 24th of July, and on the 29th came upon them, as already reported, which
report narrates the battle, the destruction of the town, and the pursuit to the
Arkansas. On arriving there I found the agent for the Cheyennes had taken to
Bent's Fort the annual presents for that tribe, including arms and ammunition.
I knew the government could never intend to send an expedition against a tribe
of Indians, and at the same time give them arms and ammunition. I therefore
determined to pi-oceed at once to Bent's Fort to prevent the Indians from getting
this property, especially as they had threatened that it could not be taken out of
the country.
I had also hoped of finding the Indians collected again in that vicinity. I
trust my reports in relation to this matter were satisfactory to the commanding
general, and that he indorsed them to that effect, for without his approval the
measures that I felt bound to take may involve me in difficulty with the depart-
ment of the interior. On my arrival at Walnut creek, I received the order to
break up the expedition, and to detach four companies of cavalry and three of
infantry for the expedition to Utah. I immediately put the detachment in as
good order as possible, by stripping the two companies which were to return to
this post, and directed Major Sedgwick to proceed across the country to Fort
Kearny, on his route to Utah. We had then marched 1,600 miles, and, although
this order was entirely unexpected, and the men and horses were much worn
down, not a man deserted, when they could easily have made their escape by
taking the best of the horses. The conduct of mj'- command throughout the
summer has been all I could wish; the oflicers and men have not only shown
bravery in action, but they have shown the higher quality of a manly and
cheerful endurance of privations.
Six days after I detached Major Sedgwick, as I was returning to this post
with the two remaining companies, I was very happy to receive the counter-
mand of the Qrder for Utah. I arrived at this post on the 16th instant, after
marching over 1,850 miles.
I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, E. V. SUMNER,
Colonel 1st Cavalry, Commanding Cheyenne Expedition.
Assistant Adjutant-General, Headquarters of the x\rmy. New York City.
302 Kansas State Historical Societi/.
TROOPS IN KANSAS.
Adjutant-General's Office, Washington, May 8, 1857.
General: In transmitting to you special order No. 62, of this date, assigning
you to duty according to your brevet rank, and to the command of the troops
designated for service in the territory of Kansas, I am directed by the secretary
of war to say that you will be strictly governed by the instructions of the depart-
ment, as conveyed in the letters addressed from this office April 1 and April 28,
1857, to the commanding general of the department of the west and the com-
manding officer at Fort Leavenworth, copies of which are herewith inclosed.
The secretary especially orders that no portion of the force subject to your
authority be used for the removal of intruders from the Indian lands in Kansas,
under the instructions of October 6, 1855, and January 30, 1856, copies of which
are also inclosed, except after advisement with the governor of the territory, nor
in any way which may conflict with the requisitions that the governor may make
upon you. I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
S. COOPER, Adjutant-General.
Brevet Brig. -Gen. W. S. Harney, Commanding, &c., &c.. Fort Leavenworth, K. T.
Adjutant-General's Office, Washington, April 1, 1857.
General : I am directed by the secretary of war to convey to you the following
instructions for the guidance of the officers of the army serving in the territory
of Kansas:
"If the governor of the territory, finding the ordinary course of judicial pro-
ceedings and the power vested in the United States marshals and other proper
officers inadequate for the preservation of the public peace and the due execu-
tion of the laws, should make requisition upon you to furnish a military force
to aid him, as a posse comitatus, in the performance of that official duty, you are
hereby directed to employ for that purpose the whole or such part of your com-
mand as he may require.
"In executing this delicate function of the military power of the United
States, the responsibility will be upon the governor of the territory, and you
will implicitly obey his orders. These instructions are given in the hope that
the governor will not find it necessary to resort to the mihtary power, and in en-
tire confidence that, if so deplorable a necessity should occur, he will discon-
tinue the use of your forces at the earliest practicable moment."
I have the honor to be, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
S. COOPER, Adjutant-General.
Brevet-Maj.-Gen. P. F. Smith, U. S. Army, Commanding Department of the
West, Baltimore, Md.
Adjutant-General's Office, Washington, April 28, 1857.
Sir: I am instructed by the secretary of war to say that the instructions con-
veyed in the letter addressed from this office to the commanding general of the
department of the west, April 1, 1857, placing the troops serving in Kansas at the
disposal of the governor of that territory in certain specified contingencies, and
with a copy of which you have been furnished, supersede any instructions of a
prior date from the President or secretary of war with which they may in any
degree conflict.
I am, sir, very respectfully your obedient servant,
S. COOPER, Adjutant-General.
The Commanding Officer, Fort Leavenworth, K. T.
Governor Walker's Administration. 803
Adjutant-General's Office, Washington, October 6, 1855.
Sir: Tlie President of the United States directs that, on proper application
therefor, you aid in the removal of intruders from the country in the vicinity of
Fort Leavenworth set apart for Indian occupation, according to the terms of the
act of 1834, commonly called the Indian intercourse act, a copy of which is here-
with transmitted. I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
S. COOPER, Adjutant-General.
Commanding Officer, Fort Leavenworth, K. T.
Adjutant-General's Office, Washington, January 30, 1856.
Sir: Referring to the letter addressed to you from this office under date of
October 6, 1855, in relation to the removal of intruders from the country in the
vicinity of Fort Leavenworth set apart for Indian occupation, I have the honor
to state that the direction of the President as therein conveyed was not intended
to apply to lands ceded by the Indians to the United States for sale, but onlj' to
lands actually reserved for their residence.
I am, sir, very respectfully, your obediant servant, S. COOPER,
Commanding Officer, Fort Leavenworth, K. T. Adjutant-General.
PRESERVATION OF PEACE AT ELECTIONS.
Headquarters Troops serving in Kansas,
Fort Leavenworth, September 25, 1857.
Sir : I have the honor to inclose for your information a copy of a communica-
tion from the governor of this territory making a requisition upon me for the
forces under the command of Lieut. -Col. J. E. Johnston and Maj. J. Sedgwick,
First cavalry, to act as a " posse comitatus " to preserve the public peace, and to
aid in the execution of the laws at certain of the election precincts in this terri-
tory during the election to take place on the 6th of October next.
I have also the honor to inclose a copy of my reply to the governor on this
subject, and copies of my instructions to Lieutenant-Colonel Johnston and
Major Sedgwick, in accordance with the requirements of the governor.
I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
WILLIAM S. HARNEY,
Colonel 2d Dragoons, Bvt. and Brig. -General Commanding.
Hon. John B. Floyd, Secretary of War, Washington.
Leavenworth, K. T., September 21, 1857.
Sir : Insurrectionary movements accompanied by a seizure of the polls being
threatened at the general election which will take place in this territory on the
first Monday of October next, it becomes my duty, under my instructions from the
President of the United States, to request you to direct Lieutenant-Colonel Johns-
ton and Major Sedgwick, >espectively, in command of the troops now on their
way from the West, to make the following disposition of them :
1st. Lieutenant-Colonel Johnston to retain two companies of infantry at
Council Grove, in Wise county.
2d. Lieutenant-Colonel Johnston to send immediately one company of cavalry
to each of the following places in this territory, viz. : Emporia, in Breckenridge
county ; Burlington, in Cofifey county ; Hyattville, in Anderson county ; and to
Brownsville, in Shawnee county.
804 Kansas State Historical Society.
3d. Major Sedgwick to retain two companies of infantry at Marysville, in Mar-
shall county.
4:th. Major Sedgwick to send immediately one company of cavalry to each of
the following points in Kansas, namely ; To Richmond, in Nemaha county; to
Claytonville or Hiawatha, in Brown county ; to Palermo, in Doniphan county ;
and to Atchison, in Atchison county.
5th. In case the places named as above should, in any instance, prove to be
those in which elections are not holden, then, in lieu thereof, said companies to
proceed to the principal points, respectively in said counties, which are election
precincts.
6th. Each of these twelve companies to be retained at the places respectively
named as above until the day succeeding the election, unless the proper authori-
ties hereafter referred to, in the execution of their duties, should deem it neces-
sary longer to retain them.
7th. The troops are requested to receive from you directions to act as a " posse
comitatus," in aid of the civil authorities in the due execution of the laws, and
for the preservation of the public peace. The United States marshal or sheriffs,
it is presumed, will be at or near the several county-seats, to whom the officer in
command will immediately report himself and his force, for the objects above
specified. Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
R. J. WALKER, Governor of Kansas Territory.
Brevet Brig. -Gen. William S. Harney, Commanding troops serving in Kansas.
Headquarter Troops serving in Kansas,
Fort Leavenworth, September 25, 1857.
Official : A. PLEASONTON, Captain 2d Dragoons, A. Asst. Adjt.-Gen.
Headquarters Troops serving in Kansas,
Fort Leavenworth, September 22, 1857.
Governor : I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your communica-
tion of the 21st instant, and in reply I desire to inform you I have sent instruc-
tions to Lieutenant-Colonel Johnston and Major Sedgwick, First cavalry, to
dispose of their commands in accordance with the arrangements you proposed in
your communication, at the same time directing that the forces should be re-
ported, in each case, to the proper civil officers as a "posse comitatus " to aid in
the execution of the laws and the preservation of the public peace.
I am, governor, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
WILLIAM S. HARNEY,
Colonel 2d Dragoons and Bvt. Brig. -Gen. Commanding.
His Excellency R. J. Walker, Governor of Kansas Territory, Fort Leaven-
worth, K. T.
Headquarters Troops serving in Kansas,
Fort Leavenworth, September 25, 1857.
Official : A. PLEASONTON, Capt. 2d Dragoons, A. Asst. Adjt.-Gen.
Headquarters Troops serving in Kansas,
Fort Leavenworth, September 22, 1857.
Colonel: The general commanding instructs me to inform you the general
election in this territory will take place on the first Monday of October next, and
that the governor of the territory has deemed it proper and necessary to make
requisition upon him for the force under your command, to act as a "posse com-
Governor Walher's Administration. 305
itatus," under the authority of the United States marshals, sheriffs, or other
proper civil officers, for the purpose of preserving the public peace, and to aid in
the due execution of the laws.
You are accordingly directed to make the following disposition of your com-
mand, viz.:
The two companies of the Sixth infantry will be halted at Council Grove, in
Wise county.
One company of First cavalry will be sent immediately to each of the follow-
ing-named places in the territory, viz.:
Emporia, in Breckenridge county; Burlington, in Coffey county; Hyattville,
in Anderson county; and Brownsville, in Shawnee county.
Should any of the places named above prove to be those in which no elections
are to be held, then the said companies will proceed to the principal points,
respectively, in said counties, which are election precincts.
Each officer in command of the above-named detachments will be instructed
by you to report his force as posse comitatus to the United States marshals,
sheriffs, or other proper civil officers, upon his arrival at his place of destination,
to execute such instructions as may be given him in that capacity; and he will
remain in that position until the day succeeding the election, when he will return
to this post, unless the above-mentioned civil authorities, in the execution of
their duties, shall deem it necessary to detain the command for a longer period.
In case any of these commands have not sufficient subsistence to supply them,
send your train, or a portion of it, to this post for that purpose.
I am, colonel, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
A. PLEASONTON,
Capt. 2d Dragoons, Acting Asst. Adj. -Gen.
Lieut. Col. J. E. Johnston, 1st Cavalry, Commanding Troops en route to Port
Leavenworth.
Headquarters Troops serving in Kansas,
Fort Leavenworth, September 25, 1857.
Official : A. PLEASONTON, Capt. 2d Dragoons, Acting Asst. Adj. -Gen.
Headquarters Troops serving in Kansas,
Fort Leavenworth, September 22, 1857.
Major : The general commanding instructs me to inform you the general elec-
tion in this territory will take place on the first Monday of October next, and
that the governor of the territory has deemed it proper and necessary to make
requisition upon him for the force under your command to act as a posse comi-
tatus, under the authority of the United States marshals, sheriffs, or other proper
civil officers, for the purpose of preserving the pubhc peace, and to aid in the due
execution of the laws.
lou are, accordingly, directed to make the following disposition of the force
under your command, viz. :
The two companies of the Sixth infantry will be halted at Marysville, in
Marshall county.
One company of First cavalry will be sent immediately to each of the follow-
ing-named places in the territory, viz. :
To Richmond, in Nemaha county : to Claytonville, or Hiawatha, in Brown
county ; to Palermo, in Doniphan county ; and to Atchison, in Atchison county.
Should any of the places named above prove to be those in which no elections
306 Kansas State Historical Society.
are to be held, then the said companies will proceed to the principal points,
respectively, in said counties which are election precincts.
Each officer in command of the above-named detachments will be instructed
by you to report his force as a " posse comitatus " to the United States marshal,
sheriff, or other proper civil officer, upon his arrival at his place of destination,
to execute such instructions as may be given him in that capacity ; and he will
remain in that position until the day succeeding the election, when he will re-
turn to this post, unless the above-mentioned civil authorities, in the execution
of their duties, should deem it necessary to detain the command for a longer
period.
In case any of these commands have not sufficient subsistence to supply them,
send your train, or a portion of it, to this post for that purpose.
I am, major, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
A. PLEASONTON,
Capt. 2d Dragoons, Act. Asst. Adjt.-Gen.
Maj. J. Sedgwick, 1st Cavalry.
Headquarters Troops serving in Kansas,
Fort Leavenworth, September 25, 1857.
Official : A. PLEASONTON, Capt. 2d Dragoons, Act. Asst. Adjt.-Gen.
Headquarters Troops serving in Kansas,
Fort Leavenworth, September 24, 1857.
Major: Captain Sturgis, First cavalry, will deliver to you a package contain-
ing a number of copies of a proclamation from the governor of this territory,
which you are instructed by the general commanding to distribute to the officers
of your command, giving directions, at the same time, to the captains of the dif-