Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1834-09-15
THE INDIAN WAR

To the Editors Of The National NteUIgencer.
AS every thing from the Dragons and the
Far West is peculiarly interesting at this mo-
ment, have taken the liberty to send some re-
marks, based on a letter | received yesterday
from a gentleman at Fort Smith, Arkansas, in
whose statements every reliance may be placed.
The letter is dated the Sth utimo, and states
that gentleman had reached Fort Smith, from
Towson, the day before he wrcte, who had been
employed as citizen physician to accompany
the Dragons, and that he had been compelled
to return on account of i'll health.
Gen. Leavenworth was following on to over
take Col. Dodge, when he was taken sick, and
died in the Gross Timbers." He was brought
back, and buried at Capt. Beans Camp, on Red
River, about five miles above the Fause " ashita.
Sickness had spread, and was spreading to
an alarming degree amongst the Dragons
more than fifty mad been taken sick of a day,
and also many of the officers. The disease is
the bilious remittent fever of the country.
Col. Dodge had left all his sick at Capt. Deans
camp, and pushed on with about one half of his
command; and had not been heard from since
the day after he marched.
The letter further states, that the Pawnees are
most constantly in the vicinity of Deans camp.
One night the horses became frightened, and
$50 were lost, there not being men sufficient to
pursue them; in fact barely enough to nurse the
sick.
feel very anxious for the company. / have
had some little experience in the hardsbips of
the wilderness OF that country; but with all our
hardShipS and sufferngs we enjoyed fine health.
We may calculate very fairly, that the same
cause inducing sickness in those first attacked
will still continue, and extend to those under
Colonel Dodge'S command: and every step he
advances West will only increase his difficult
ties. 1t is impossible to keep their horses staked
up, as the only dependence for a scanty support
is found in the prairies; and frequently grass is
very scarce where Buffaloes are, or have re-
Gently been. have seen extensive prairies
looking like eaten-out pasture grounds.
The Pawnees will not dare to attack, even fif
ty well appointed men in fair conflict. They
play surer game than that The finest horse
men in the world, and mounted on their hardy
steeds, the genuine descendants of the famous
Andausian race, they hover on your TANKS;
drive the game from your front; cut off any
stragglers in your rear; and by some of their
numerous, and adroit manGuvres, alarm your
horses at night, and scatter them over the prai-
ries; as was the case at Capt. Beans camp.
The "Cross Timbers" above alluded to, is
belt OF timber, Of irregular width, varying be-
tween ten and twenty miles; stretching, North
and South, between the Arkansas and Red Ri
yer. Fort Towson is nearly South of Fort Glib
son; and taking Westerly course from that
line, ABOUT one hundred llllleS Will carry you 10
the Cross Timbers. From my experience the
name is rather fancful. In pursuing the West
course as above, the country is variegated with
a succession of timber, land and praire-the
former gradually lessening in quantity, and d.
minshing in size, until it dwindles to the stunt
ed oak bush not more than one or two feet high
but generally loaded with mast in the season.
However, as you approach the great Western
Prairie, the timber increases little in size; and
in many places it becomes so thick and imper-
vious as to render it very difficult to get through
on horseback. After that, the great Western
prairie stretches to the Rocky Mountains; and
no timber is to be seen except thin growth of
Cottonwood, lining the margin of the streams.
At Fort Gibson there is also much sickness.
DR.. Welsh, who was ordered up from Fort Cot
fee to see DIR. Wright, who was very i'll, was at
tackled himself and fell victim to the diseases
of that country. His loss is greatly regretted,
as he was admired as Physician and beloved
as man. There is but one Surgeon at Fort
Gibson to discharge the laborous duties Of that
post.
The troops at Fort Coffee are remarkably
healthy. H.
Sept 9a, 1894.