Kansas weekly herald., 1855-03-02
Hon. JEFF. DAVIS, Secretary of War.
FORT LEAvENwoRTH, K. T., J
0ctohar II st 1874

Hon. JEFF. DAVIS, Secretary of War.
FORT LEAvENwoRTH, Z. T.,
October 31st. 1854.
/ SIR:-Your communication of to day, enclos-'
ing communication from the Adj't General of
the Amy of the date of the 10Th of October en-.
closing communication from Hon. R. McClel-.
land, Secretary of the Interior, TO Hon. Jefferson
Davis, Secretary Of War, which communication
is principally copy off letter from Col. Man
nypenny, Commissioner of Indian Affairs, dated
at Fort LeaVenworth. September 26th. has been
received. and in obedience to the order of the
Commanding Officer, reply to it. restricting
myself to certain parts, which attack particular
Iy my official capacity as Commanding Office
of this Post, leaving to Majors Macklin and Og-
den, the duty of replying to the attack made on
them which have no do;:bt they will do to the
perfect satisfaction of the Secretary OF War
Col. Mannypenny states in writing of the acts
of Major Maclin ana Ogden in connection with
the town tract of 320 acres. that Fslhe soldiers
were employed to help build their pre-emption
shanties, cut the brush &,e.s This charge ]
pronounce unequivocally false and without foun-
dation, for was in command at the time. was
responsible for the men and know they were not
so employed.
AS the Commanding Officer of this Post at
that time, was the only person who could use
the Military to drive off any one from tt cir
claims. and know never d owe any one off, or
threatened them with the Military. As regards
the s'Irgent request that steps be taken by the
War Department with a view 'sto remove all the
people from this town site,'' (I1eavenwoFth) }
land that all the principal evidence of claims
| on the Delaware land near the reserve be demol-
ished, ;" and says that E-Cap.ain Hunt can do it
without dfficuity.' and that sit will cure every
thing,' l have only to say, that presume some
three thousand persons have made claims upon
The Delaware land. Whether they are protected
by law or not, of course am not the person to
decide, but if ordered by proper authority to I'M
dertake to remove them, [ certainly sholld use
my best endeavors to do so. although for one
believe that blood would flow in the attempt. and
that freely, notwithstanding the opinion Of the
Commissioner of Indian Affairs, '.that it can
be done without the sacrifice of life cor limb."-
AS regards the limits of the Military reserve, l
am not aware that the Commissioner Of Indian
Affairs, has any supervision over it, and in my
opinion no man who is himself pure, wonld
make the charge, MIR. Mannypenny has made
against me, that sEthis reduction leaves strip
of land between the Indian land and diminish
ed reserve, and this even before the survey, had
placed upon it the necessary monuments aecoI-
ding to Squatter law, to enable the Military men
here and their friends to each have pre-emp-
ton claim Of land, worth from $40 to $50 dollars
per acre. yained under the excitement of the
time, at $50 per acre" unless he had evidence
convincing and beyond doubt. pronounce
this charge false and dare any man to the proof.
The .56ommanding Officer and Secretary of
War have the information necessaryfor UNDER
standing the survey of the reserve. The loca-
tions were made long before any person at this
Post, knew where the bounds of the reserve
were, and on the strip which 1 suppose from the
best information could get, was entirely with
out the reserve. There % of these locations.
MANY of them made before Icame in commando
| and instead of being my friends, only knew
three by sight, prior to their making their ioca-
| tions, | have made no location myself, neither
have Iany lot or part with any one that has
either directly indirectly. -5tt.t
With respect to the statements that "neither
the Commandant of the Post, or Major Ogden
or Maelin are here at present. thatis when the
Commissioner of Indian Affairs passed, if it Is
intended merely stating fact, it is true. bot
if intended to cast censnre as would appear from
| the tone of the letter, to imply that we We're
neglecting our duty. This charge also is false.
| Major Ogden Was absent on duty at Fort Riley,
Major Maclin on thirty days leave granted by
| Gen Clarke, and on, seven days leave on a. yis-
| it in the Indian country to Fopt RRey, which
visit the Regulations of the Army require,me 10
make in order that Ianay become acquainted
| with the country about my Post. And as Ihave
only had tlsenty-seven days leave, including
this oneg sinee.1S46, (my service since that time
having benin Mexico, Texas and this Indian
country think you will perceive my duty has
not been neglected. .tssIat 4HGi.iis - =
-e7ea am sis, very respectfuily, 81
Your ohetlient servant.
| TSignedl iig8{ - I. II. HUNT,
- = .sassaIs ssgs5fzS Can't. 4sh Artillery.
Lieut.. 3. Ms K. HuDsoN, Post Adjutant, Fort