Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1858-08-20
WASHINGTON NEWS AND GOSSIP.

NEWS AND GOSSIP.
INDIAN ISrELLIaENcE.-The Commissioner
Of Indian Affairs has received dispatches from
4. P. Pulliam, Esq, clerk to the Southwestern
SUPPLEMENTARY, dated at Fort Smith, August
7th, 1858, and enclosing letter from Douglas
H. Cooper, Indian Agent for the Choctaws and
Chickasaws, dated August 5th. From the lat
ter We quote the following:
al have to report that the United States Sur.
veyors completed the survey of the 9eth meridian
OF west longitude, from Red river to the Cana
dian river, and erected monuments thereon, on
the 9th Of July ult
learn from private source at Fort Arbuckle,
that the Choctaws and Chickasaws returned to
and party had gone down the Canadian river to old
Fort Arbuckle, all safe that the surveying party
saw no Camanches, but plenty Of Indian traits,
some Of quite recent date; that the people west
of Arbuckle have moved into the Fort for protec-
ton, and that there have been no further depTa-
dations committed since my last report; but
nothing further has been heard OF the slxty-sh
horses which were stol n and carried off,"
By the same mail the Bureau is also in re-
ceipt of the report of an exploring expedition
recently made by Agent Cooper, which was
organized at Fort Arbuckle and comprised two
bands under Captains Hohltiche and George
Jones, numbering seventy-two in the aggre-
gate. Hearing that Lieut.. Powell, with COM
pany E, United States Infantry, was on his
way to the fort and not feeling willing to leave
it unprotected, Mr. C.. awaited his arrival till
the Both June.
On the lstof July the expedition started, but
as Col f. Pickens was taken ill on the first
night after leaving the fort, and was sent back
the next day, some delay occurred. The march
was subsequently continued to Mud creek,
where the expedition met Gov. Harris and q
party returning to the fort. From these they
heard of the return of the surveying party to
Red river. Some Cherokees who had accom-
panied them thus far, deserted and returned
with this party to the fort. On reaching Beaver
creek the party crossed several Indian trails
going towards Red river, and learned that a
party of Camanches, who had been prisoners
with, and where released by the Wachitas
said they were ashamed to go back to their peo-
pie, and avowed their intention of proceeding
to Texas and making reprisals or losing their
lives
Besides observing the smoke of fires in the
distance towards the southwest, which were
supposed to indicate the presence of Camanches
or Rangers, no incident of note happened for
several days. Mr.. C. fills up this interval
however, with very interesting geographical
descriptions, accounts Of old Indian towns and
Notifications, and a sketch of the passage
through town of prairie dogs, several acres
In extent, whore these singular animals dwelt
on terms of strictest amity with owls and rat
tlesnakes, On the 18th of July the expedition
encamped at Rush Creek Spring, northwest of
the starting point. Here they met a party of
Wachitas, and reclaimed horse which had
been stolen by the Camanches and sold to the
Wachitas. A long talk was held with these
people, and they expressed constant dread of
the Cananches, because they had aided the
whites in recovering stolen horses from them
They were also afraid of the Kechis for the
same reason, and Of the Texans because they
had traded with the Camanches for property
the latter had probably stolen from the Texans
Mr.. c. urges that the agent should reside with
the Wachitas and prevent their being imposed
upon.
Mr.. c. discovered, from the location of the
ninety eighth meridian, that the Wachitas are
living in the Chickasaw district. Having learned
from the Wachitas that there were no Canaan
ches in the country, except at great distance
To the north, Mr.. c. determined to return and
disband his forces. He according proceeded at
once to Fort Arbuckle, where he arrived with
out anything of Importance Transporting on the
route. He thinks the effect of the expedition
on the Indians will be highly beneficial, al
though 1t was unsuccessful in its chief object
that Of finding the Camanche marauders, and
gaining back the stolen property they had car
ried off.
The INDIAN WARFARE.-Intell igence has
been received at the War Depa rtment to the
effect that the supplies of mules and horses 50
much needed in Oregon and Washington Ter
ritories have been dispatched thither from
Utah, whittier they were sent to be used in the
contemplated expedition against the Mormons
When we remember that the troops in those
Territories were scattered over a wide expanse
OF country, the concentration of some 1000 of
their numbers at Fort Walla- W ALA, within the
space OF about one month, is sufficient to excite
general astonishment and admiration and the
movement has gained for General Clark and
bis subordinates the generous praise of Score
tary Floyd and other attaches of the DEPART
ment.
With the addition Of the sixth regiment of
infantry, now on the way to the Pacific, from
Utah, 1t is supposed the force there will be suf-
fcient for all the exigencies existing at present
1t is believed that the troops already in Wash
ington Territory were probably ready to march
on the ist OF August against the Indians who
attacked and defeated Col. Steptoe. The ex-
tent Of the detection is not known. but il is
confidently anticipated that the campaign will
be an exceedingly short one and far less ex-
pensive than any previous similar movement.
FROM THE VIRGINIA MOUSTAINs-DRLIGHr
FUL Tine PRETTY WOMEN, &c
[COTrespondsnes of the Star
MONTGOMERY WHITE SULPHUR SpRiSGs,)
August Il, 1855 {
Again freed from the dust, muse uitoes, frog.
music and hot weather Of home, and sitting
where a delightful breeze is playing upon and
around me, am engaged in the pleasant occupa-