The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1856-12-03
AFFAIRS IN KANSAS.
HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT or THE WEsT,
Fort LeavenwoIth, November IL, 1856


Fort LeayenwoIth November IL, 1856.
CoLoEEL Since my last communication nothing of inn
porance has happened in the department After the
cess Of the measures taken weeks since to prevent the
gross ouages the law then threatened and to suppress
the disorders then existing in this Territory order and
tranquility have gradually resumed their legitimate sway
the laws have again been put IA operation and the admin
sraon OF justice revived Deserted farms again
cupied fences rebuilt fields put under cultivation and the
ruins Of houses destroyed by fire replaced by dura
bic habitaons the roads are covered with travellers un
armed and and the towns hronged with persons
selling their produce and purchasing from the stores All
these evidences OF restored order have enabled with
the troops from the active duty which they have been
employed and 10 establish them again at their proper
posts where they 70 pass the winter As there no
prisons yet built for the territorial authorities
in the administration of justice at his request there
will remain at the disposition of the governor few
guard prisoners in the custody Of the law and for other
such contingencies
am happy then to be enabled to announce to the War
Department and through it to the President the entire
Of the measures they directed TO be taken for the
suppression of instruction and removal of distractions
the regular administration Of justice and that this end
has been attained without the shedding of blood the
exeron of force beyond the ordinary arrest of per-
sons accused of crimes
The troops in the field have been under the immediate
command of Lieut. Col Philip ST. G. Cooke I'd dragons.
The sound Judgment he has displayed and his prompness
energy and good management have had large share in
producing the happy of affairs at present existing for
there moments when the want OF either of these
qualities might have led to the most fatal and extended
disasters. Ana the 0lcerB OF the "a Dragons,
under Breyet Major H. H. Sbley st cavalry under Lieut.
Col Joseph t. Johnston and Major John Sedgwck and of
the battalion of the 9th infantry under Lieut. Col George
Andrews commanding that regiment all partake of the
credit attached to their good conduct and labors in the
duty just concluded.
The winter has commenced with severity much earlier
than usual and it 10 too late to send the companies OF
the 9Th infantry to the posts further Westher original
destination. From necessity they must be crowded into
the quarters at Fort Leavenworth The great reduction in
the number of men il the ls cavalry will render this pos
sble now which it would not be il the latter regiment
full
Being no longer occupied with the affairs of this Terri
tory which have caused much uneasincss undivided at
enton be paid to preparations for furnishing the
Cheyennes Indians In pursuing them in the spring the
great want will be forage and transportation for supplies
Pasturing animals in rapid movements is impossible
can horses perform regular days work grass In
short daily journeys grass sufficient for there is time to
pasture and very little labor to undergo Additional APP
preparations will therefore be necessary to provide for the
expedition, which must be chiefly of mounted men, and
ought be ready by the middle of April The details
the force and the direction Of the operations cannot
be determined but general appropriation of an add
tonal sum-much less, however, than that given the
| Sioux expedition-will be advisable
will again repeat that consider tranquility and Or
der entirely restored in Kansas foresee nothing in the
shape of disorder that the ordinary in the hands
the civil auhority directed by able and energetic hand
those of the present governor, not amply sufficient
control and the whole time and efforts of the troops
here heneeorward be devoted the protection of
frontier
With the highest respect, your obedient servant
PERSIFER +. SMITH,
| Commanding Department
| Colonel SAMUEL COOPER,
aptap 1aftb