The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1854-08-29
FROM KANSAS TERRIToRY.--ln the Nashville Union we

From KANSAS TEnRIToRY.--ln the Nashville Union We
find letter dated "Fort Atkinson, Kansas Territory
July H. 1854 from which extract the following;
81 left Kansas, Missouri, the 10th of June with a
train of tweny-siX wagons loaded with goods &C. for the
Indians having previously started my train of eleven large
wagons Fort Laramie Up to the time Of my arrival
Council Grove ranca nearly every day making the road,
almost impossible frequently having to hitch from twenty
to thirty to wagon. had often travelled that
part of the road The country from the State to the Neo-
sha-a distance of one hundred and twenty five mesis
beautiful unduating prairie and the soil is equal to any
in Tennessee The Indians living in this portion of Kansas
Territory raise from sixty seventy-fyc bushels of
per acre If well cultivated have no doubt even more
than this would be considered an average crop The only
objection any could have TO the country is the great
scarcity of timber. At the time passed hundreds of pi-
oneers were engaged in making their locations Houses
be in every drection anda man that had travelled
the road in March could scarcely recognise the same
try in June.
"Council Grove is quite fourishng trading post and
is destined to be the frontier town After leaving it, up
this place distance of two hundred and fifty miles the
country is entirely worthless would not give
for the whole country living from the Grove this place
produces nothing but the short buffalo grass and seem.
if it only destined by nature for tie buffalo to feed
upon but they too like their destroyers the Indians are
fast the decline Trails that to be for
long distance are covered with grass, and so
soon as the buffalo give out there win he suffering
among the Indians of this region than was known be-
fore. They and know this, and 1t has produced lit
tie alarm among tns.4.
al reached this place the fourth DAY of July Every
thing looked desoate could but wish myself back in
old Hickman day attend of the barbecues they
get up every year in that good old county Sixty miles
before reached this place came TO the encanpent
Cumanche, Kiowa Apache, Arrapahow Cheyenne, aud
Usage Indians where learned from the few remaining
that they had started three days bere up the Pawnec fork
where the and children TO be left and the
rors were going north fight the Pottawatomies and
other frontier Indians no in the habit of coming
hunt buffalo II that great preparations had been
made for the fight Many of the Cumanches here
from Texas and am told 10y men who have been in this
country fifteen years that large collection of In
dams have assembled in this country before. The
number of lodges estimated at from thousand to
twelve hundred numbering from nine to ten TO each lodge
After procuring guide left hoping find them and in
duce them to return have since learned that went
far West they having travelled more northeast Myopinion
is that my guide afraid to go with 70 the Cu,nanehe
eucampmepty They have large number Of Mexican
prisoners whom they would noF be willing for see
The frst ! had from them yesterday, Some
twenty kowas came ill., and perhaps the wofSooking
you They Ike the British after the battle
of New Orleans YOU could that they were badly whip
ped without their telling IT, As soon as they came had
talk with them and learned that after leaving their
and children and making all the necessary prepara-
tons they started with large force numbering from
to fifteen hundred wsfrpr segsf F he SIGHT determined
TO wipe every fee they came in contact win; after
travelling six days they discovered the Snc and Fox In
dians and perhaps few from other uibes, After the
usual parey and all necessary arrangements made for
png the combined forces OF the prrcs charged upon
small nation that could not have had than
or three hundred warriors But they destined
Y be disappointed for as soon as they approached within
reach Of the sac as of the Indians remarked 10
me twas like continued Thunder, and thay a ike
leaves from the Not willing that the pride Of the
praries should be easily whipped charge after charge
Nas made With the same result ! am unable TO say
how many of the Eugand-like combined forces
killed. but they report twenysiS with great many more
wounded My opinion is that the greatest victory
achieved by tribe OF Indians another For
unatcy for the Cumanche and their allies my old friends
the Pottawnomes were not present they would have
chased them to their encampmen and scapcd all their
women and children. suppose the Sacs were too few in
number, or they would have done the thing; but
they haypgiory enoegp i2r oAe yeahey have done what
has been done beforethey have whipped ne terror
of the plains and think the Indian department should
give each that engaged In the fight gold medal
for they certainly have accomplished what regiments have
been afraid undertake think the allied powers of the
plains will hardly think of renewing the fight What few
have of them very anxious to make peace with
the Sac and Fox Indians You perhaps aware that
the agent OF the Indians that gere SO BABY whipped
IL is hardly natural for to be glad at the defeat of
his children. In this am will If have time, write
you again and give you further description of the
country over which shall travel My health is fine.
killing elk antelope black-ail deer, and buffalo every
day hunt Ny respects to my friends.
" Yours &c, J. W. WHITFIELD |