Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1834-08-15
EbOHa HlS TIC.
lFsom the New York Commercial Advertiser /
FORT GIBsoN, (Arkansas Territory

CONNIE Adyertisor L
FORT GIBSON, (Aikausas Terrory)
18th June, 1884.
De'ng about 10 leave the civilized world again Tor o
campaign IN the Indian country take this opportunity TO
oequeaih few words TO you before the moment Of de.
par'ure Having some tine since obtained permission
from the Secretary OF War, accompany the Regime nj
OF the u s. ORA goons in their summer canpaien rsnoyi
ca myself at this place months ago. where I have
oeeh ".hg ewes SINCE Tor their organization. AGer the
many dishcuies which they have had encounter the
nave at length all assenbedthe grassy plains are
ing with the traplng hoois of prancng war horse
ana already The hills ecloing back The notes of the
sps'irring rumpets, which sounding for the onset
Inc ndtires are again io be asonshed and shall pro-
badly again he witness to the scene Rut whether The
approach OF eight hundred mounted Dragons among ST
The Cainanches and Pawnees, will afford me better sub
Jeet Tor picture OF gaping and Gsfounded multitude
oh u'u 'he ilrs approach OF our steam amongst the
Msndans, &c. is question vet to be solyed am
strongly Inclined to think that the scene will not be
less wild and spirited. and ardently wish ir for !
nave become so much Indian Of late, thai nv mcneil
mas lost an appetite for -sutecIs that savomr Of tame
ness should delight in seeing these red knights Of
The lance as onished, for il then that thew show hr
brightest hues-snd care not how badly we lrieben
them provided we hurt them not, irighen them out
oil sketching distance. You viii agree with me thar
am going farther to get siites than any OF my fellow ar
lists ever did; but take indescrhable pleasure i'm
roaming through Natures Iackes wids and selecting
my models where atm free and uushacked by the xiii.
Ing restraint OF society," where painter modesty sit
and breathe away in agony the edge aud soul Of bis insu
ration waiting Tor the sluggish calls of the civil Tboush
the tos, the priyatons and xpense OF travelling 10 obese
remote parts OF the world get subjects for NV peuciI
place almost insuTmounable and sometimes painful OBJ
conviction, thai am practising in the ne School of the
4rs aud that, though should get poor as Lazarus
should deem myself rich in soles aud studies for the Iu
ure occupation of my life. OF this much am certain
that amongst these of the forest where are conu
ally repeated the ieaIs and gamhos Of the Gecsn Games
have learned of the essential parts of the art in the
three last years, than could have learned in York
in lie-ms
The landscape scenes Of these wild and beautiful re
gicns, of themselves, rich reward for the traveller
who place them in his port oo; and being myself
the only one accompanying the Dragons for scientific
there he Inn al
from those pursuits. The Regiment of eight hundred
men, with whom have travel, will be an effective
force, and perfect protection against any attacks that
viii ever be made by Indians IL is composed principally
young men OF respectable families, who wonld &C, on
oil occasions from feelings OF pride and honor in addition
10 those OF the soldier.
The day before yesterday the Rrgt. OF Dragons and
the 7h Reg Of lnlan'ry stationed here, reviewed
by Gen Leavenworh, who has lately arrived al this post
supessedng Col Ashuckle in the command
Blh Regiments drawn up in battle array In
fatigue dress, and passing through a number OF the ma.
DGuvres OF battle OF charge and repulse, &c
novel and thrilling in the prairie, the nds
OF Indians aud Others who had assembled witness tie
display The proud aud mauy Experimental hese Young
remind iorcibly o. a regiment OF independenl
Volunteers, and the horses have beautiful appear.
from the arrangement of colors. Each company Of
horses has been selected OF one color There is
company OF bays, company OF blacks of whites one
oil sorreb one OF greys. one Of color, &C. &C.
which render the companies distinct and the effect ex
ceedingiy pleasing This Regiment goes out under
the command OF Col. Dodge, and from bis well. a.
tested qualifications and from the beautiful enuinment
OF the command, here be little doubt but that thev
will do credit TO themselves and honor to their coun.
try, SO far ss honors lie gained aurels can be
plucked from wild stems in savage country. The
object Of this summers campaign seems TO he 10 Guilt
vae an acquaintance with the Pawnees and Camanches
These two extensive tribes of roaming Indians who
om heir extreme ignorance OF US, have yet Tecog
lzed the u STATES in treaty aud struck frequent
blows on our frontiers and pUndered our traders who
are tTaversiOg Their country. For this cannot so much
blame them for the SpaDars gradually adyancng on
them side and the Americans on the other and fast
destroying the lurs game OF their country which Cod
andu ~ ,,,t.
This movement OF the Dragons seems to be one OF tis
most humane in its views, and heartily hope that il NAV
prove so IN the event. well TOR own sskcs as hat OF
Tue Indian see no reason why should march upon
them win an invading army, carrying with the spirit of
chastisement The object OF Government undoubiedv is
ehsci friendly meeting with them that they nay see
and respect and establish something like system of
mutual rights with them. To penetrate their country
with thc other view that OF chasfising them even with
bYe times the number that now going wouId he en-
rely futile, and perhaps disastrous la The erireme lis
spretty thing (snd perhaps easy one In the NJ
the world for army Of mounted men 10 be gay orsueng
over the b1uOdess green fields of the West aud il il so for
little dsaneebOi IL would be we'll for tho world TO be
apprlsed OF some Of the actual difficulties that oppose
Themselves to the OF such csmpaen hat ibev
may not severely case this command shou1
idl 10 accomplish the objects Tor which they were orea
nized -
In the FIRST place. from the great difficulty Of orgsntzos
and equipPing these troops starting too late in lie
season Tor their summers campaign, by two months The
journey which they have perform is very long one
and although the first part OF it will he piciuresone and
pleasing the after part Off will be esoroe pI m
the extreme as they advance tie west the grass land
consequently The game) will be gradually diminishing,
and water ~ many parts Of the country not to be found
As the troops will be obliged 10 subsst 1,eo,solves
great part OF 'he way, viii be extremely difficult 10
DO u under such circumstances, a. The ss,oe lime
hold themselves IN readiness With half Ismised bot
and men nearly exhausted, 10 contend with a no.
nerous enemy, who arc at home. on The ground m
wbch ihey were born, with horses resh and really t
acion 10 IS not probable, however that the indiana
viii venture 70 take advantage Of snch circumstance
but | am inclined 10 think that tho cxoedidoo viii he
more likely to fell from another source is nv opinion
tbat the appearance Of large military force in befr
country, will alarm them to dat de gree that ev viii Nv
WIN heir families TO their hiding. places amongst tbo
barren desers, which they themselves can rosch opv Inv
great fatigue ane extreme pvaGou aud 10 which our hall
exhausted troops cannot possibly follow them From tese
hann's their warriors would advance and annoy the Reg
msni as much as hey could by striking At their hunting
parties and cutting oil tbeir supplies To attempt TO our
cue mem " hsy cannot be called 10 council would be
as useless as 70 follow The wind; for our oops In sncb
case, are ~ country where they are Obliged 70 sbs
themselves, and Ie Indians being fresh horses vi,b
asuPPiy Of provisions, wond easily drive aft lie Rugt
sneado mem snd endeavor, fsr possible TO decov
ourhooPs into The barren paris Of tie country chez a.
they could not 6ud The means Of subsistence IVY
ms plan designed 10 be pursued aud the only one Ina,