Cherokee Nation, at a convention of the Cherokee people called by
their Chief Jno. Ross....--ROBERTSON to President Lincoln, dated
Winneconne, Wisconsin, December 12, 1861 [General Files, _Southern
Superintendency, 1859-1862_, R1658].
Concerning the responsibility attaching to government agents for Indian
defection, E. C. Boudinot and W. P. Adair wrote, January 19, 1866, to
Cooley,
The Southern Indians have repeatedly repudiated the idea that they
were induced by the machinations of any persons to ally themselves
with the rebellion, but accept the full responsibility of their acts
without such excuse.
The passage above quoted [meaning one from Coffin's report of
September 24, 1863--"They resisted the insidious influences which were
brought to bear upon them by Rector, Pike, Cooper, Crawford and other
rebel emissaries for a long time."] however does great injustice to
all the parties named, particularly to Genl Cooper, who had no earthly
connection with the Cherokees until several months after. Mr. John
Ross made the treaty with the so-called Confederate States.--General
Files, _Cherokee, 1859-1865_, B60.
[437] "Ross was overborne. It is said that his wife was more staunch than
her husband and held out till the last. When an attempt was made to raise
a Confederate flag over the Indian council house, her opposition was so
spirited that it prevented the completion of the design."--Howard, _My
life and experiences among our hostile Indians_, 100.
[438] For the entire address of John Ross, see _Official Record_, first
ser., vol. iii, 673-675.
[439] _Official Record_, first ser., vol. iii, 675-676. A slightly
incorrect copy of these same resolutions is to be found in vol. xiii,
499-500.
[440] John Ross and others to McCulloch, August 24, 1861 [_Official
Records_, first ser., vol. iii, 673].
[441] Commissioner of Indian Affairs, _Report_, 1865. The Report of the
Commissioner of Indian Affairs to President Johnson, February 25, 1866, in
answer to the Cherokee protest against Chief Ross's deposition contains
this statement:
As early as June or July, the exact date is not known, John Ross
authorized the raising of Drew's Regiment, for the Southern army....
[442] McCulloch to Ross, September 1, 1861 [_Official Records_, first
ser., vol. iii, 690].
[443] --_Ibid._; McCulloch to John Drew, September 1, 1861 [_ibid._, 691].
[444] In the course of the war, both inside and outside of Kansas, many
instances occurred of Indians' expressing a wish to fight or of their
services being earnestly solicited. In late April of 1861, a deputation,
headed by White Cloud, came east and tendered to the United States
government the services of some three hundred warriors, Sioux and
Chippewas [Moore's _Rebellion Record_, vol. i, 43].
Agent Burleigh, in charge of the Yancton Sioux, asked permission to
garrison Fort Randall with Indians [Commissioner of Indian Affairs,
_Report_, 1861, p. 118]. The Omahas manifested great interest in the war,
so their agent, O. H. Irish, reported [_ibid._, p. 65]. Towards the end of
the struggle a young recruiting officer, who went among them, persuaded
about thirty youths, mostly students at the Mission School, to enlist.
Their terms had not expired when the war closed, so they were sent out as
scouts to protect the Union Pacific Railroad, in course of construction
from Denver to Salt Lake City, against the Sioux who were attacking
workmen and emigrants. Even Senecas from the far away Cattaraugus
Reservation, New York, offered to enlist [Dole to Strong, December 7,
1861, Indian Office _Letter Book_, no. 67, p. 129]; and so did the Pawnees
from the great plains. The United States government, however, refused to
accept the Pawnees for anything but scouts and, in that capacity, they
proved exceedingly useful [Commissioner of Indian Affairs, _Report_, 1869,
p. 472]. Winnebagoes were in the United States employ [Indian Office,
_Report Book_, no. 13, pp. 276-277], as were also many individuals from
other tribes. Some Indians became commissioned officers and a number were
at the head of companies. Captain Dorion of Company B, Regiment Fourteenth
Kansas Volunteers was an Iowa [_ibid._, 261] and Eli S. Parker on General
Grant's staff was a Seneca.
After the Enrollment Act of March 3, 1863 [United States _Statutes at
Large_, vol. xii, 731-737] was passed, several attempts were made to force
the Indians to serve in the army but Mix, the Acting Commissioner of
Indian Affairs, declared they were exempt from the draft [Letter to Agent
D. C. Leach, September 4, 1863, Indian Office, _Letter Book_, no. 71, p.
354]. On the sixteenth of July, 1863, the United States War Department
inquired very particularly as to the Indian eligibility for enrollment and
Secretary Usher took occasion to instruct Mix that the respective agents
should be
Directed to offer no resistance to the enrolling officers, after
notifying said officers of the fact, that the tribe or tribes under
their charge are composed of Indians who have not acquired the rights
of Citizenship, but immediately upon being informed of the drafting of
any member of his tribe, he will report the case to the Com{r} of
Indian Affairs, for such action as may be necessary to procure the
exemption of the Indians from military service.--Letter of Secretary
Usher, September 12, 1863, _Miscellaneous Files_, 1858-1863.
[445]
The bearer has a train of goods at this point en route for the Indians
on the western border of the State, containing quite a quantity of
arms & ammunition.
There is great excitement in the community with reference to arming
the Indians at the present time, as for several days past reports have
come to us that our frontier settlements are in danger of attack from
hostile Indians who are collecting in the neighborhood. I am daily
importuned to send them aid. Also, report says, and it seems very
reliable, that the Indians on our southern border are arming
themselves against our citizens. In addition to these Indian rumors it
is believed by many that these arms are in danger of falling into the
hands of secessionists, before reaching their destination. Quite a
number of that class of men have recently passed up this way (Topeka)
and through Riley County. In this condition of affairs I do not think
these arms & ammunition can be taken west without an escort, as the
rabble will be almost certain to waylay them as soon as they get on
the Pottawatomie Reserve. I can protect them while in this county &
will do so, but cannot follow them. Would it not be well, if you have
the authority, to direct the bearer to leave that part of his freight
in charge of the U. S. Marshal, or in my charge, until there shall be
a change of circumstances, or until further orders from Washington?
Although I would not undertake to oppose the action of Government in
the matter and would not interfere unless it should be to prevent the
property from falling into the hands of a mob, yet I do think under
the circumstances it is very bad policy to arm the Indians on the
border. I feel very sure from what I learn, they will be used against
our citizens within three months time. I am ready to co-operate at all
times with the U. S. authorities....--General Files, _Central
Superintendency, 1860-1862_, B479. See also Branch's reply, May 23,
_ibid._
[446] H. B. Branch to Mix, September 16, 1861, transmitting a letter from
Agent Farnsworth of September 16, 1861, enclosing communications from
Senator Lane, Captain Price, and others, "relative to organizing the
Indians for the defense of the Government" [General Files, _Kansas,
1855-1862_, B774].
Headquarters K.B. Ft. Lincoln, Aug. 22{d} 1861.
To Indian Agents Sac and Foxes--Shawnees--Delawares--Kickapoos--
Potawatomies--and Kaws--Tribes of Indians
GENTS: For the defence of Kansas I have determined to use the loyal
Indians of the Tribes above named. To this end I have appointed
Augustus Wattles, Esq to confer with you and adopt such measures as
will secure the early assembling of the Indians at this point.
If you have the means within your control I would like to have you
supply them when they march with a sufficient quantity of powder, lead
& subsistence for their march to this place, where they will be fed by
the Government.
You can assure them for the Govt that they will not be marched out of
Kansas without their consent--that they will be used only for the
defence of Kansas.
I enjoin each of you to be prompt and energetic that an early
assembling of said Indians at this point may thereby be secured.
J. H. LANE, Commanding Kansas Brigade.
By ABRAM CUTLER, Acting assistant Adgt-Gen.
The danger is imminent. Hordes of whites & half breeds in the Indian
country are in arms driving out & killing Union men. They threaten to
overrun Kansas and exterminate both whites & Indians. It it rumored
that John Ross, the Cherokee Chief is likely to be overcome unless he
is assisted.
The Osages also need assistance. Gen. Lane intends to establish a
strong Indian camp near the neutral lands as a guard to prevent forage
into Kansas. He is very solicitous that you should come if possible
with the Chiefs & see him at Ft. Lincoln on the Little Osage 10 miles
south of Mound City.
If you do come, please bring all the fighting men you can, of all
Kinds. Men are needed.
If you do not come, please authorise some responsible man to lead the
Indians as far as Ft. Lincoln where Gen. Lane will receive them and
give them a big war talk. Bring an interpreter. Expenses will be paid.
Congress will undoubtedly make suitable acknowledgements to the Kaws,
as an independent nation, for any valuable services which they may
render....
P.S. A Captain's wages will be given to any competent man whom you may
appoint to take the lead of the band, provided there are fifty or
more.--AUGUSTUS WATTLES to Major Farnsworth, dated Sac and Fox Agency,
Kansas, August 25, 1861.
Wattles had evidently not yet heard of the Tahlequah mass-meeting. Postal
connections with Indian Territory were, of necessity, very poor. Dole had
recommended, May 29, 1861, to Secretary Smith a new postal route through
southwest Missouri or southern Kansas instead of the old route through
Arkansas [Indian Office, _Report Book_, no. 12, p. 170].
The Confederates were similarly embarrassed. On the twenty-seventh of May,
the postmaster at Fort Smith had complained to the postmaster-general J.
H. Reagan,
Enclosed please find letter of G. B. Hester (a Choctaw who was made
quarter-master and commissary in the First Choctaw Regiment and, in
1865, "cotton agent for the Creek Indians who were at that time
squatting in the Chickasaw Nation." See O'Beirne's _Leaders and
Leading Men of the Indian Territory_) at Boggy Depot, C. N. You will
see they are without mails in that country. For three weeks the mails
for the Indian country have been accumulating in this office. I sent
forward all the mail that could be packed on a single horse.... I
cannot get men to carry the mail. They say they are afraid of being
robbed or murdered.... Our neighbours, the Indians must suffer great
inconvenience on account of the stoppage of mail facilities. All
tribes are in favor of the South except the Cherokees. A little good
talk would do them good, perhaps a little powder and lead might help
the cause. Ross and his party are not to be relied on.--_Fort Smith
Papers_.
Mayers wrote Reagan in a similar vein a month later, on June 26, 1861,
Our mails throughout the Cherokee, Choctaw, Chickasaw & Creek nations
have all been stopped by the old mail carriers....--_Ibid._
[447] On August 26, 1861, Wattles wrote Farnsworth from Lawrence,
I wrote you a few days ago concerning the employment of the Indians in
the defence of our frontier.
The necessity seemed imperative. But on hearing that the Commissioner
of Indian Affairs was in Kansas and will probably see you--I think it
best to say nothing to the Indians till he is consulted in the matter.
Gen. Lane has 60 miles of the Missouri border to guard, and an army of
at least double his to hold in check, which employs all his force
night & day.
Besides this, he has the Indian frontier on the south of about 100
miles. This he intends to intrust to the loyal Indians--I will add, if
the Commissioner agrees to it.
The stay of execution was not of long duration, however; for, September
10, 1861, J. E. Prince sent Farnsworth from Fort Leavenworth a circular
requesting immediate enrollment and an estimate of the strength of the
loyal Indians.
[448] The conduct of Lane was presumptuous, arrogant, dictatorial; but he
had interfered in yet other ways in Indian concerns. He must have had
quite a hold, political or otherwise, over several of the agents and they
appealed to him in matters that ought, in the first instance, to have been
referred to the Indian Office and left there. Thus, in July, Agent F.
Johnson had approached Lane on the subject of having Charles Journeycake
appointed Delaware chief in place of Rock-a-to-wa deceased. Both Pomeroy
and Lane endorsed the appointment but it was unquestionably entirely out
of their province to do so. Tribal politics were assuredly no concern of
the Kansas delegation in Congress.
[449] Dole had gone to Kansas in the latter part of August "to submit in
person the amendments, made by the Senate at its last session, to the
Delaware treaty of May 30, 1860" [Commissioner of Indian Affairs,
_Report_, 1861, p. 11].
[450]
I find here your letter to the Agent of the Delaware, requesting _Fall
Leaf_ to organize a party of 50 men for the service of your
Department. _Mr. Johnson_ the Agent called the tribe together before I
arrived here, and found the Chiefs unwilling that their young men
should enter the service as you desired. Since my arrival I have seen
the Chiefs and stated to them that the Government was not asking them
to enter the war as a tribe but that we wished to employ some of the
tribe for Special Service and wished the Chiefs to make no objection.
I could not however get their consent even to acquiesce in their men
Volunteering for the service as you desired, & _Fall Leaf_ and several
of the tribe are here and determined to tender you their Services,
with my consent. I have advised them that they are at Liberty to join
you if they choose. _Fall Leaf_ says he will be able to report at Fort
Leavenworth in a very few days with twenty to twenty five men. Should
you require more men, you will have probably to call on some other
tribe. Those men who volunteer against the advice of their Chiefs
should be particularly remembered by the Gov't.--DOLE to Fremont,
dated Leavenworth City, September 13, 1861 [Indian Office, _Letter
Book_, no. 66, p. 485].
[451] --_Ibid._
[452]
I am instructed to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 13th
inst., and to state that the Commanding General will accept with
pleasure the services of Fall Leaf and his men.
Other tribes will be applied to immediately. I have written to the
same effect to Mr. Johnson, at the Deleware Agency.--JOHN R. HOWARD,
captain and secretary, to William P. Dole, dated Headquarters, Western
Department, at St. Louis, September 20, 1861 [General Files, _Central
Superintendency, 1860-1862_].
[453] F. Johnson to Dole, June 6, 1862 [General Files, _Delaware,
1862-1866_].
[454] Dole to Captain Fall Leaf, November 22, 1863 [Indian Office, _Letter
Book_, no. 72, p. 109].
[455] Report to Dole, October 22, 1861 [Commissioner of Indian Affairs,
_Report_, 1861, p. 50]; Report to Dole, September 17, 1862 [Commissioner
of Indian Affairs, _Report_, 1862, p. 98].
[456]
I send you a letter to _General Fremont open_ that you may read and
understand its object. _Fall Leaf_ will call upon you probably this
afternoon and receive from you such information as you see proper to
give him. I am disinclined to encourage the Indians to engage in this
war except in extreme cases, as guides. I have in this case used my
influence in favor of the formation of this Company, without any
knowledge of the views of Gov't, supposing Gen{l} Fremont was a
special need of them or he would not have made the request....--DOLE
to Captain Price, dated Leavenworth, September 13, 1861 [Indian
Office, _Letter Book_, no. 66, pp. 485-486].
[457] Letter of August 15, 1861 [Commissioner of Indian Affairs, _Report_,
1861, p. 39].
[458] General Orders, no. 23 [_Official Records_, first ser., vol. iii,
539].
[459] Villard says, as early as 1856, rivalry had developed between
Robinson and Lane [_John Brown_, 108].
[460] Thomas to Fremont, October 14, 1861 [_Official Records_, first ser.,
vol. iii, 533].
[461] Lane to Lincoln, October 9, 1861 [_ibid._, 529].
[462] It would seem as if Lane were remotely responsible for the division
of the Western Department into the Department of Kansas and the Department
of Missouri. In his letter to President Lincoln of October 9, 1861, he
described the good work that his Kansas Brigade had done and asked that,
in order that it might be enabled to continue to do effective work, a new
military department be created, one that should group together Kansas,
Indian Territory, and so much of Arkansas and the territories as should be
advisable [_ibid._].
[463] Ross's Address to Drew's Regiment, December 19, 1861 [Commissioner
of Indian Affairs, _Report_, 1865, p. 355]; Letter of Albert Pike to D. N.
Cooley, February 17, 1866.
[464]
"Chisholm" the well known interpreter has been sent to the Comanches,
Creeks to the Osages--Matthews to the Senecas Quapaws &c.
...--ROBERTSON in a letter, dated St. Louis, September 30, 1861
[General Files, _Southern Superintendency, 1859-1862_, R1615].
... In the fall of the same year Albert Pike called a General Council
of the same tribes to meet at Talloqua and in order to secure their
attendance stated that John Ross was to make a speech ... he sent Dorn
late U. S. Indian Agent to notify the Osages, Quapaws Senecas &
Shawnees that there was to be a Council at Talloqua and that Ross was
going to talk at the same time to tell them that the U. S. Government
was breaking up--that they would get no more money and that they were
about to send an Army to take their Negroes and drive them from the
country and pointed to Missouri in proof of it, when the Council met
at Talloqua instead of Ross the council was opened by Pike who told
them "We are here to protect our property and to save our
Country."...--BAPTISTE PEORIA.
Baptiste Peoria, in the spring and summer of 1862, went around as a secret
agent of the United States government among the southern Indians finding
out their real sentiments respecting the war. The report from which the
above extract is taken is dated May 1, 1862, and is in General Files,
_Osage River, 1855-1862_, B1430.
[465]
FORT SMITH, ARKANSAS, September 19{th} 1865.
In a talk held at the rooms of the Commission, with Commissioners
Sells and Parker, the following statement was this day voluntarily
made by Shon-tah-sob-ba ("Black Dog") the Chief of the Black Dog band
of the Osage Indians, relating to a treaty with the so-called
Confederate States. In answer to a question by Commissioner Sells,
"How did you happen to be in this Southern Country?" Shon-tah-sob-ba
(Black Dog) replied "I am glad you have asked that question, for I
wish to make some statements in explanation. We came down here upon
the invitation of John Ross, Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation,
who sent us a letter asking us to attend a Council for the purpose of
making a treaty with Albert Pike"--
COMM{R} SELLS--Have you that letter now in your possession?
ANSWER: We don't know where the letter is. It was sent to Clermont,
whose son had it in his possession when he died & we suppose it was
buried with him. But I have it here in my head & will never forget it.
John Ross, the Cherokee Chief, said in that letter, "My Bros. the
Osages, there is a distinguished gentleman sent by the Confederate
States who is here to make treaties with us. He will soon be ready to
treat, and I want you to come here in order that we may all treat
together with him. My Brothers, there is a great black cloud coming
from the North, about to cover us all, and I want you to come here so
that we can counsel each other & drive away the black cloud." This is
all that he said & signed his name. All the Osages went. We were all
there together, Pike, John Ross and I, sitting as you are. Pike told
us he was glad that we had come to make peace & a treaty. All your
other brothers have made treaties & shook hands, & if _you_ want to,
you can do so too. I will tell you what John Ross said at the time.
John Ross told us, "My Red Bros. you have come here as I asked you & I
am glad to see you & hope you will do what the Commissioner wants you
to do. The talk the Commissioner has made is a good talk & I want you
to listen to it & make friends with the Confederate States. You can
make a treaty or not, but I advise you, as your older brother, to make
a treaty with them. It is for your interest & your good." After he
finished talking, John Ross told us we could consult among ourselves
over there (pointing to our camp near his residence) & decide among
ourselves. We consulted on the matter, & on the request of John Ross
we signed the treaty. He asked us to do it. He was the man that made
us make that treaty, and that's how we came to be away from our
country.
The above statement was endorsed by Wah-tah-in-gah, Chief Counselor of
the Black Dog & Clermont bands of the Osage Indians.
The above is a correct statement as interpreted.
E. S. PARKER Com{r} GEO. L. COOK Ass't Sec{y}.
ELIJAH SELLS Com{r}
Papers relating to the Council at Fort Smith, September, 1865, _Indian
Office Files_.
[466] Commissioner of Indian Affairs, _Report_, 1865, pp. 353-354.
[467] These Creeks, of course, were the Upper Creeks, the anti-McIntosh
Creeks, the following of Opoeth-le-yo-ho-la. Some of the confidence that
Opoeth-le-yo-ho-la seems to have had in John Ross, in his discretion and
in his integrity, may have dated from the days when John Ross had refused,
as he must have refused, to share in the plan for a betrayal of his
country, at the instance of William McIntosh. The following document will
explain that circumstance:
NEWTOWN 21th October 1823
MY FRIEND: I am going to inform you a few lines as a friend. I want
you to give me your opinion about the treaty wether the chiefs will be
willing or not. If the chiefs feel disposed to let the United States
have the land part of it, I want you to let me know. I will make the
United States commissioner give you two thousand dollars, A. McCoy the
same and Charles Hicks $3000 for present, and no body shall know it,
and if you think the land wouldent sold, I will be satisfied. If the
land should be sold, I will get you the amount before the treaty sign,
and if you got any friend you want him to Receive it, they shall recd
the same. nothing moore to inform you at present. I remain your
affectionate Friend
WM MCINTOSH
John Ross--an answer return
NB. the whole amount is $12000. you can divide among your friends.
exclusive $7000.
This letter is on file in the United States Indian Office and bears the
following endorsement:
rec{d} on the 23{rd} Oct. 1823.
M{R} JOHN ROSS President _N. Committee_
Letter from Wm McIntosh to Mr John Ross read & exposed in open Council
in the presence of Wm McIntosh Oct 24{th} 1823
J ROSS
[468] Letters to Dole, October 31, 1861 [Commissioner of Indian Affairs,
_Report_, 1861, p. 42] and November 2, 1861 [General Files, _Cherokee,
1859-1865_, J503].
[469] Commissioner of Indian Affairs, _Report_, 1865, pp. 353, 354.
[470] _Official Records_, fourth ser., vol. i, 669-687.
[471] --_Ibid._, 636-646.
[472] --_Ibid._, 659-666.
[473] --_Ibid._, 647-658.
[474] The Senecas of the mixed band of Senecas and Shawnees were not
originally parties to the treaty, but provision was duly made for their
becoming so.
[475] Ka-hi-ke-tung-ka for Clermont's Band, Pa-hiu-ska for White Hair's,
Shon-tas-sap-pe for Black Dog's, and Chi-sho-hung-ka for the Big Hill.
[476] For information concerning Washbourne [Washburne or Washburn] and
charges against him, see Dean to Manypenny, December 28, 1855, December
31, 1855 [Dean's _Letter Book_, Indian Office]; and Elias Rector to
Secretary Thompson, October 1, 1859 [Rector's _Letter Book_, Indian
Office]. Rector's letter was as follows: