The Wilmingtonian., 1823-10-09

again to attack them, that they
would probably run away and leave their
villages. This, it was thought would have
IN unfavourable effect upon the Indians,
md make them more inclined to commit
upon the traders; and, as the
Little Soldier soon after sent out for Gen.
Ashley, with few worn Buifaloe robes,
with message that he could not possibly
do more, and begging that we would have
lpitv on them, l sent him word that we
would not attack them; that it was not
their property that we wanted to make
his people feel safe, and conduct them
selves we'll, and they should not be hurt.
Early en- the morning of the 18th, we
found the Ricaras had left their towns dur
ling the night.
! Major Ketchum, with his company, and
company f. commanded by Lieut.. Brad
|ley, and Lieut.. Morris, with one six poun-
der, were ordered to take possession Of
1.-THE towns, and to suffer not the least ar
lticle to be taken away, or the towns to be
injured.
| A messenger was sent to call back the
Indians, if possible, and to induce them
to take possession of their villages, but
could not be found. 1t was now evident
that our artillery had been served with
very great effect. The town had been
riddled. We found 81 new
graves, and found that several old ones
had been opened, and the surface set thick
with prickly pears to concealithe new dirt.
We know that 10 men who we're killed by
the Sioux in the skirmish on the 9th, were
buried in five graves and we know also
that more than one was buried in several
of the other graves. From the best evil
Idence which he could collect, it is suppos-
ed that more than SO Of their people were
killed, and great number wounded. Our
messengers returned on the evening OF
the l4th, without having been able to find
the Rcaras.
On the morning of the 18Th we placed the
mother of the late chief, Grey.Eycs Gan aged and
inhrm woman, whom they left in their fiighD in
one of the principal lodges of the lower village,
gave her plenty ofprovisions and water, and left
her in the quiet possession of the towns, and the
property left by the Indians, except some corn
which had been taken for the subsistence OF the
men. At about 10 O'Clock, on the evening of the
18th, the troops were embarked to descend the
river and our guard Withdrawn, and every sou
removed from the villages, except the woman be
aforementioned. All the boats were got under
way nearly at the same time. Before we were
out of sight OF the towns, We had the mortcatloI
to discover them to be on fire. There is NJ
doubt but they have been consumed to ashes. nol
Ills there any doubt but they were set on fire b,
one Nj Donald, partner and one Gordon CLERK
of the Missouri Fur Company. Had not this beer
ldone, there is no room to doubt, but that the
IRcara Indians, would, in future, have behaved
las well towards our countrymen as any other In
iIdians on the river 1t is now my deliberate opn'
lion that those Indians will be excited TO further
lhosities
4 1t is understood that this Company (the Mis-
: lsourD have withdrawn their trade from above
the Sioux country Not so with Messrs. Ashle.
: and Henry-they have small number OF mel
+ and large amount OF property at the mouth u
the Yellow Stone river, and they were deeply in
terested in the correction and paci6cation of tn
:. Ricaras. Their zeal and efficiency in aiding t
: -Ichastise those Indians were conspicuous an
elhighly honorable.
i've found the Ricara Indians in two villages
the lower one containing II dirt lodges, and til
upper village TO- Each village was enclose
elwi,h pallsadoes or pickets, ard ditch and
@ Igreatcr part OF the lodges had ditch around tn
I DtluHn on the lllSluG. lHese NOThS, HONeNt
= had been represented 20 be much stronger tha
y what we found them to be.
: During our operations we sustained no loss
men, and had but two wounded, Hugh johnson
: of Gen. Ashley's command, and Smith, a priva
r of Major Ketchum's company.
n Our officers and men have returned in fin
health and spirits, and it is well, for those wi
!" left here are nearly all sick. Capt. Fowle arrive
rIhere with IS men, recruits, on the 28th inst.
r Our Spring wheat Las done well, and all OF
n crops are very good. No material losses will |
Sustained by our absence. In ascending the rive
live lost one boat, and seven men drowned, Al
J had another boat sunk by storm. We lost ol
S. swivel and some ammunition, and some pro,
= sions--a particular account Of all which shall
= soon forwarded, together with statement Of C
/, cry item OF expense.
u have been highly gratiiied with the office
l. and men OF the regiment, and also with Gen AS
ltley and his command of 30 men, and intend to
,eImyse!f the Honour to make a more detailed a,
q oclrcumstanlal account of all our proceedings, al
>, # what was done by each, and hope that wi
; has been done will meet the appreciation of O
'elsuperlor officers, and of the government.
e, have the honor to be, respectfully, your ot
|v Idient servant, II. LEANENW ORTIZ,
n. Col commanding 9th ret
- Brig. Gen. III. ATKINSON,
p Commanding West Dept.
It.