Today in History:

583 Series I Volume XLVIII-II Serial 102 - Powder River Expedition Part II

Page 583 Chapter LX. CORRESPONDENCE, ETC. -UNION.


HEADQUARTERS MILITARY DIVISION OF THE MISSOURI,
Saint Louis, May 24, 1865. (Received 6 p. m.)

Lieutenant-General GRANT:

The following dispatch from General Dodge just received. We have not at present troops enough to furnish escorts to all these parties, but hope soon to clear the region of Indians. We will certainly do so as soon as I can get the brigade of cavalry now here mounted:

FORT LEAVENWORTH, May 24, 1865.

Major-General POPE:

I find on arrival here some five surveying parties under general contract, two Indian agents, one wagon-road company, and others, all asking for escorts. The country they operate in is entirely unsafe, and it will take at least two regiments, part infantry and part cavalry, to supply the demand. This is getting to be a serious question and I would like your advice. If I give escorts I will have to bring the troops here to do it. The parties seem to have proper claims on the Government. The freight contractors to Utah and New Mexico have to be guarded, and the number of trains leaving on Government account will use up a small army. The Indian agents have good, but Colonel Livingston got after their Indians and used them us. I think all the band that was engaged in robberies this side of Kearny were killed.

G. M. DODGE,

Major-General.

JOHN POPE,

Major-General.


HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF ARKANSAS,
Little Rock, May 24, 1865.

Captain J. McC. BELL,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

Since last report of surrender of detachments of rebel troops the following have come in: At Brownsville, on the 20th instant, Captain Reynolds, with twenty men; at Pine Bluff to the 22nd, Captain Maybery, with ten men, and at Devall's Bluff, on the 22nd, Captain Raibon, with twenty-two men.

J. J. REYNOLDS,

Major-General.

ROLLA, MO., May 24, 1865.

Major General J. J. REYNOLDS,

Commanding Department of Arkansas, Little Rock, Ark.:

SIR: I have the honor to state to you that I will leave this place the 4th day of June for Batesville, Ark., with about sixty men, and would be pleased to meet a force of your command at that point. I will be in Batesville by the 12th or 15th of June. I have failed to get arms at this place, and there will be a portion of the men unarmed and afoot.

I am, sir, your most obedient servant,

S. MASON,

Commanding Company Militia of Fulton County, Ark.


HEADQUARTERS U. S. FORCES AT PINE BLUFF,
Pine Bluff, Ark., May 24, 1865.

Colonel JOHN LEVERING,

Assistant Adjutant-General, Department of Arkansas:

If compatible with the public service, I deem it necessary and demanded by the public service that the number of troops be increased


Page 583 Chapter LX. CORRESPONDENCE, ETC. -UNION.