Since the date of my last Letter at Pensacola, in Florida, I travelled
to New Orleans, and from thence up the Mississippi several hundred
miles, to the mouth of the Arkansas; and up the Arkansas, 700 miles to
this place. We wended our way up, between the pictured shores of this
beautiful river, on the steamer “Arkansas,” until within 200 miles
of this post; when we got aground, and the water falling fast, left
the steamer nearly on dry ground. Hunting and fishing, and whist, and
sleeping, and eating, were our principal amusements to deceive away
the time, whilst we were waiting for the water to rise. Lieutenant
Seaton, of the army, was one of my companions in misery, whilst we
lay two weeks or more without prospect of further progress—the poor
fellow on his way to his post to join his regiment, had left his trunk,
unfortunately, with all his clothes in it; and by hunting and fishing
in shirts that I loaned him, or from other causes, we became yoked in
amusements, in catering for our table—in getting fish and wild fowl;
and, after that, as the “last kick” for amusement and pastime, with
another good companion by the name of Chadwick, we clambered up and
over the rugged mountains’ sides, from day to day, turning stones to
catch _centipedes_ and _tarantulas_, of which poisonous reptiles we
caged a number; and on the boat amused ourselves by betting on their
battles, which were immediately fought, and life almost instantly
taken, when they came together.[4]
In this, and fifty other ways, we whiled away the heavy time: but yet,
at last we reached our destined goal, and here we are at present fixed.
Fort Gibson is the extreme south-western outpost on the United States
frontier; beautifully situated on the banks of the river, in the midst
of an extensive and lovely prairie; and is at present occupied by the
7th regiment of United States infantry, heretofore under the command of
General Arbuckle, one of the oldest officers on the frontier, and the
original builder of the post.
Being soon to leave this little civilized world for a campaign in the
Indian country, I take this opportunity to bequeath a few words before
the moment of departure. Having sometime since obtained permission
from the Secretary of War to accompany the regiment of the United
States dragoons in their summer campaign, I _reported_ myself at
this place two months ago, where I have been waiting ever since for
their organization.—After the many difficulties which they have had
to encounter, they have at length all assembled—the grassy plains are
resounding with the trampling hoofs of the prancing war-horse—and
already the hills are echoing back the notes of the spirit-stirring
trumpets, which are sounding for the onset. The _natives_ are again “to
be astonished,” and I shall probably again be a witness to the scene.
But whether the approach of eight hundred mounted dragoons amongst the
Camanchees and Pawnees, will afford me a better subject for a picture
of a _gaping_ and _astounded multitude_, than did the first approach
of our steam-boat amongst the Mandans, &c., is a question yet to be
solved. I am strongly inclined to think that the scene will not be
less wild and spirited, and I ardently wish it; for I have become so
much Indian of late, that my pencil has lost all appetite for subjects
that savour of tameness. I should delight in seeing these red knights
of the lance astonished, for it is then that they shew their brightest
hues—and I care not how badly we frighten them, provided we hurt
them not, nor frighten them out of _sketching distance_. You will
agree with me, that I am going farther to get _sitters_, than any of
my fellow-artists ever did; but I take an indescribable pleasure in
roaming through Nature’s trackless wilds, and selecting my models,
where I am free and unshackled by the killing restraints of society;
where a painter must modestly sit and breathe away in agony the edge
and soul of his inspiration, waiting for the sluggish _calls_ of the
civil. Though the toil, the privations, and expense of travelling to
these remote parts of the world to get subjects for my pencil, place
almost insurmountable, and sometimes _painful_ obstacles before me, yet
I am encouraged by the continual conviction that I am practising in
the _true School of the Arts_; and that, though I should get as poor
as Lazarus, I should deem myself rich in models and studies for the
future occupation of my life. Of this much I am certain—that amongst
these sons of the forest, where are continually repeated the feats
and gambols equal to the Grecian Games, I have learned more of the
essential parts of my art in the three last years, than I could have
learned in New York in a life-time.
The landscape scenes of these wild and beautiful regions, are, of
themselves, a rich reward for the traveller who can place them in his
portfolio: and being myself the only one accompanying the dragoons for
scientific purposes, there will be an additional pleasure to be derived
from those pursuits. The regiment of eight hundred men, with whom I
am to travel, will be an effective force, and a perfect protection
against any attacks that will ever be made by Indians. It is composed
principally of young men of respectable families, who would act, on all
occasions, from feelings of pride and honour, in addition to those of
the common soldier.
The day before yesterday the regiment of dragoons and the 7th regiment
of infantry, stationed here, were reviewed by General Leavenworth, who
has lately arrived at this post, superseding Colonel Arbuckle in the
command.
Both regiments were drawn up in battle array, in _fatigue dress_, and
passing through a number of the manœuvres of battle, of charge and
repulse, &c., presenting a novel and thrilling scene in the prairie, to
the thousands of Indians and others who had assembled to witness the
display. The proud and manly deportment of these young men remind one
forcibly of a regiment of Independent Volunteers, and the horses have a
most beautiful appearance from the arrangement of colours. Each company
of horses has been selected of one colour entire. There is a company
of _bays_, a company of _blacks_, one of _whites_, one of _sorrels_,
one of _greys_, one of _cream_ colour, &c. &c., which render the
companies distinct, and the effect exceedingly pleasing. This regiment
goes out under the command of Colonel Dodge, and from his well tested
qualifications, and from the beautiful equipment of the command, there
can be little doubt but that they will do credit to themselves and an
honour to their country; so far as honours can be gained and laurels
can be plucked from their wild stems in a savage country. The object
of this summer’s campaign seems to be to cultivate an acquaintance
with the Pawnees and Camanchees. These are two extensive tribes of
roaming Indians, who, from their extreme ignorance of us, have not yet
recognized the United States in treaty, and have struck frequent blows
on our frontiers and plundered our traders who are traversing their
country. For this I cannot so much blame them, for the Spaniards are
gradually advancing upon them on one side, and the Americans on the
other, and fast destroying the furs and game of their country, which
God gave them as their only wealth and means of subsistence. This
movement of the dragoons _seems_ to be one of the most humane in its
views, and I heartily hope that it may prove so in the event, as well
for our own sakes as for that of the Indian. I can see no reason why
we should march upon them with an invading army carrying with it the
spirit of chastisement. The object of Government undoubtedly is to
effect a friendly meeting with them, that they may see and respect us,
and to establish something like a system of mutual rights with them. To
penetrate their country with the other view, that of chastising them,
even with five times the number that are now going, would be entirely
futile, and perhaps _disastrous_ in the extreme. It is a pretty thing
(and perhaps an easy one, in the estimation of the world) for an army
of mounted men to be gaily prancing over the boundless green fields of
the West, and it _is_ so for a little distance—but it would be well
that the world should be apprised of some of the actual difficulties
that oppose themselves to the success of such a campaign, that they
may not censure too severely, in case this command should fail to
accomplish the objects for which they were organized.
In the first place, from the great difficulty of organizing and
equipping, these troops are starting too late in the season for their
summer’s campaign, by two months. The journey which they have to
perform is a very long one, and although the first part of it will be
picturesque and pleasing, the after part of it will be tiresome and
fatiguing in the extreme. As they advance to the West, the grass (and
consequently the game) will be gradually diminishing, and water in many
parts of the county not to be found.
As the troops will be obliged to subsist themselves a great part of the
way, it will be extremely difficult to do it under such circumstances,
and at the same time hold themselves in readiness, with half-famished
horses and men nearly exhausted, to contend with a numerous enemy who
are at home, on the ground on which they were born, with horses fresh
and ready for action. It is not probable, however, that the Indians
will venture to take advantage of such circumstances; but I am inclined
to think, that the expedition will be more likely to fail from another
source: it is my opinion that the appearance of so large a military
force in their country, will alarm the Indians to that degree, that
they will fly with their families to their hiding-places amongst those
barren deserts, which they themselves can reach only by great fatigue
and extreme privation, and to which our half-exhausted troops cannot
possibly follow them. From these haunts their warriors would advance
and annoy the regiment as much as they could, by striking at their
hunting parties and cutting off their supplies. To attempt to pursue
them, if they cannot be called to a council, would be as useless as
to follow the wind; for our troops in such a case, are in a country
where they are obliged to subsist themselves, and the Indians being on
fresh horses, with a supply of provisions, would easily drive all the
buffaloes ahead of them; and endeavour, as far as possible, to decoy
our troops into the barren parts of the country, where they could not
find the means of subsistence.
The plan designed to be pursued, and the only one that can succeed,
is to send runners to the different bands, explaining the friendly
intentions of our Government, and to invite them to a meeting. For this
purpose several Camanchee and Pawnee prisoners have been purchased from
the Osages, who may be of great service in bringing about a friendly
interview.
I ardently hope that this plan may succeed, for I am anticipating
great fatigue and privation in the endeavour to see these wild tribes
together; that I may be enabled to lay before the world a just estimate
of their manners and customs.
I hope that my suggestions may not be truly prophetic; but I am
constrained to say, that I doubt very much whether we shall see
anything more of them than their trails, and the sites of their
deserted villages.
Several companies have already started from this place; and the
remaining ones will be on their march in a day or two. General
Leavenworth will accompany them 200 miles, to the mouth of False
Washita, and I shall be attached to his staff. Incidents which may
occur, I shall record. Adieu.
+Note.+—In the mean time, as it may be long before I can write
again, I send you some account of the Osages; whom I have been
visiting and painting during the two months I have been staying
here.
[4] Several years after writing the above, I was shocked at the
announcement of the death of this amiable and honourable young man,
Lieutenant Seaton, who fell a victim to the deadly disease of that
country; severing another of the many fibres of my heart, which
peculiar circumstances in these wild regions, had woven, but to be
broken.
LETTER—No. 38.