The Charlotte journal. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1835-1851, 1836-10-21
Military correspondence.

has caused To be published ~ the -NashNttle
papers the following letter from General
Games:
HEap QuARrERs, Western Department.
Camp Sabine, August p, 1886. I
Sir had the honor to receive by the
last mail, your EXeellency's letter of the
Sih OF this month, advising me of the suspen-
zion, oy the President OF the United States,
of the movement vi the regiment of Mount.
ed Gunmen, which YOU did me the favor
a ew days previously 10 notify me were
abou, 10 assemble at Jackson preparatory
20 their march 10 this frontier.
deeply regret the trouble and disaP-
rointhent TO the brave and patriotic yolun-
teers, and more especially the embarrass'
Inent to yourself individually, which ny re,
QUESTION has occasioned.
However much may have erred in the
hope aud opiatoa which entertained and
expressed IN my letters OF the 2Sih Of ApTE
and 10Th of MAY last, that this frontier was
no longer IN danger Of beng attacked, or
again menaced by formidable savage foe,
have the satisfaction TO find that no great
CftA W hiiuiN W ttit cSifiNN tlaS oS y - ~
suited from the error--an error into which
the wlsesi and best Of our statesmen appear
to have fallen-and from the same causes
which had operated upon my mind and nus.
led me, namely, the upparcat prospect Of q
speedy termination IF fhe mar betireeH the
1fericqns and Teriany. cannot, how.
ever, admit that have erred in requesting
Of your eScellency the regiment OF mount.
ed gunner IN question.
have, during the last and present month,
been strongly Impressed with the belief that
the whole OF tins frontier would be inyoly.
Cd 10 an Indian war as soon as the threat.
ened hostlltles between our blood thirsty
nelghbors OF the " eSi should be renewed.
When | learned from the Secretary Of
War that the President Of the L. States
approved my views, reported 10 him IN
March and Apvil last, 10 assemble upon this
fror;ier an eff i've force Of mounted men,
equai 70 H.. either Of the bellIgerents-
f. that would enable me 10 speak 10
loii, 10 a language they could not fail 10
hear and 10 heed and when at the same
time found myself expressly instructed BY
a letter from the Department OF War, dated
May 4, lS36-(of which copy is annex.
ed, No. l)-thGi The President ,ctH sane.
ton the employment Of ,rhdterer force may
be necessary 10 protect the Western from.
tier Of the United Stutes from hostile incur.
slons aud that the Department Of War had
addressed the Governors OF the States Of
Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee, kentuc.
Ky, and Alabama, requesting them 10 cali
aWo the scrrice such militia force as / nay
find necessary IN carrying tat0 eject The
Instructions heretofore gtren 10 me, aiding,
9 the theatre Of operations is 50 far distant
from the scat OF Government that much
must be trusted to our discretion = g The
two great objects YOU have 10 attain are,
first the protection o., the frontiers, and, Sc
cnnd,y, is strict performance If the neu
tfai duties Of the United States as tie great
object of self defence will permit and when
10 this Is added the Secreiary's letter to
you uf the same date, OF which the follow.
l2g IS an extract: :" an instructed b.
the President 10 request your Excelency
to call INTO the service OF Inc United States
Ire number Of militia lrhich hare been or
may be required BY Gen. Games" there
can be 10 ground 10 doubt tia. | was fully
authorized 10 request Of YOU the regimon'
IN question.
That from 1000 TO 10000 Indian war.
riors will BE- employed against the ,nhabl-
tanls q the disputed territory, as soon as the .
theatre of the war between Mexico and
Texas IS extended TO the left bank OF the
Brassos, have no doubt unless, indeed,
the prospect Of our having on this frontier
sufficient mounted force to repel the nYa
SION Of the disputed territory, and afford to
the defenceless inhabitants that protection
which We have promised to afford them.
| am more than willing 10 risk myself
with 500 men for the protection OF tina.
~ settled frontier Of 400 miles IN extent
but with full authority from the Department
Of War to call for whatever force | may
deem necessary add proper for the purpose,
! am not wiling TO have less force than
have called for without force ot 600 men
held ready for action upon this frontier, the
Indians can 10 one month destroy nine
tenth, Of the inhabitants within the dispu-
ted territory, with a great part Of the al
iacent settlements, including those upon the
Red river from Alexandra to fort Io"son
embracing a large portion OF the original
inhabitants when coded TO the United States,
with the finest cotton-gro"Ing section OF the
United States, whose annual crop has alrea-
dy amounted to millions 81 dollars.
fit 5e true that tie Indians have deter.
mined TO commence hos,llIlIes as soon as