Glasgow weekly times. (Glasgow, Mo.) 1848-1861, 1859-07-14
Letter from a Dragon at Rock Greek,
in Cherokee Nation.
Description OF THE COUNTRY AND THE
CADDo INDIANS.

Correspondence of the Missouri Democrat
In CAMP ON ROCK CREEK, C. N,
.l. June 26, 1859.
The second squadron of the First Calva-
ry, under command OF Captain T. ]. Wood,
has now been six days out in the summers
campaign, and Is about eighty miles march,
en- route for Antelops Hills. The officers
and troops are in excellent health and
spirits.
In pursuance of an order from the War
Department. the second squadron is out on
a four months campaign against all hostile
Indians, who may feel disposed to m olest
emigrants, or in any way unlawfully inter-
fere with Lieutenant Bsale's Overland
Route. 1t is generally thought that we will
have fight with the Indians, and believe
that such an event is devOutly- wished fer
by all persons composing the cnmmand.-
Ii we do have battle, and escape scalp
free, and am not to badly wounded. shall
give You the particulars at the earliest pos
sible moment. But l am anticipating
counting the chickens before they are
hatched."
l probably owe you an apology for my
long silence, for l believe that have not
written TO you for six months. The only
excuse have to offer is the want Of any.
thing OF special liz portance to write about.
But, now that am on the Plains, shall
endeavor to make amends for my shor.com-
ings, and write 10 you as. often as practable.
Indeed, do not know that | have occasion
to write now. Nothing of special impor-
tance has occurred since our departure from
Fort Washiia.
The country we have passed over thus
far, is, for the most part, admirably adapt
ed for agricultural purposes, and will pro-
duce in great abun1an all the grains,
grasses and fruits susceptible TO the climate
which is, probably, the most salubrious and
productive of any within the geographical
limits Of the United States. There is prob
baby not better stock growing country in
the world than this; prairie and timber are
about equally divided. The former is com
posed of deep, rich, loamy soil, covered
with succulent and nutritious grasses while
the timber generally covers undulatiang
ground and sloping hills, Along these hills
are thousands Of hne spices Of grape
the largest ever saw growing wild. Bu'
none of them are ripe yet, and had no op-
portunity of tasting their flavor; but from
their green, plump appearance, should in
fer that they would be very luscious when
they do ripen. We had a feast of plum S,
which grow in abundance along the sumer-
GUS perch and trout streams which traverse
and water the country. This variety Of
wild fruit is the largest aud sweetest ever
saw or tasted. Dewberries are also plen-
liful, and very luscious and palatable.-
Fish are very abundant, and easily caught.
Some Of the boys have just come in with
load OF fine large perch and bass, caught in
Rock Creek, on which we are encamped.
We have seen quite number OF deer, bnt
killed none OF them so far.
The other day, we met quite a number
OF wild Caddo lndians-men and women-
more than half naked, and all mounted
astrde on scrubby ponies. They appeared
in most excellent humor, laughee, grima-
ced, gesticulated, and tried their best to
talk 10 us. The women comb their hair
and keep it we'll dressed. Their breasts
are tatoed with India ink; their faces how
ever are not thus disfsured, and they
would be good looking ii not so nearly ma
ked. Alter We went into camp, these
same Indians came back 10 US, bringing
quite quantity OF fresh honey which they
bartered lar tobacco. By the way, will
here say that wild bees abound all through
this country. They build in hollow trees,
between rocks, and sometimes even on the
ground, under q scrubby oak bush, and
make abundance OF honey. ...-. ,s
To-day we came into camp early, and since
our arrival a fox has been seen near the
camp. The boys are making up party
with the intention of having fox chase
al night. This fox chasing is rare sport
wheu the spOrtsmen have as good hounds
as we have.
Slime / commenced writing, fifteen or
twenty preech-clo 1t Caddoes, male and fs-
male, hrvs come into camp. They are grin
ning set of creatures and look innocent
and harmless, rs though they never toma-
hawked an enemy or took scalp in their
lives. believe, however, that the Caddoes
are not now warliks tribe. Government
has leased part of the Chocktaw lands, as
a reserve for them, where they are endeav-
oring to civilize The poor creatures. Raih-
er hard task, l am inclined to think. They
may be made civil enough, but it will be hard
TO induce them to wear clothing during the
"eeaisd term" they feel and look SO tree
and easy in their present hgh costume
More snon. Yours, as ever. ...s.sa
| SABRE.