Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1862-08-28
Aug. Il, l. GO


In May, 1861, Gen. Albert Pike of Arkansas, was
appointed by President Davis Commissioner to the In
dian tribes, whose territories contiguous 70 Texas
and Arkansas, and conferred upon him the most ample
powers to conclude treaties with them. In the
and fall Of 1861, Gen. Z. concluded treaties, on the
most liberal basis to Government, with The follow
ing named tribes to wit: CherQke(s Creeks ChOcaws
Chickasaws Seminoes, Osages, Cados, Anodakas and
Wachtas By the terms OF the treaties the tribes
boIud themselves furnish all Of their man capable
of bearing arms" to aid tie Confederate States in their
war with the FEDERAL Government and this alliance to
last while water and grass grows '-on cond-
on that the Indian forces shall not be removed beyond
the boundaries of their terrtors without tLeir
consent.
To compliance with tie terms of these treaties they
have 5000 warriors in the field, 5000 of whom
mounted They all armed with the rife or
double-barreed shotgun, and have thus far armed and
equipped themselves they represented to be prov
dent with their raOrs, and obey orders with alacrty.
The indian territory proper les due north CT Texas
and south ond west Of Arkansas embracing area OF
10000 square miles, military reconnaissance of tie
country recently made by Capt T. j. Aackey, OF ).
c. of the Corps of Engineers deveopes the fact that
it abOunds in "copper" lead, iron, cole. and salt. The
Cherokees, Greeks, Cboctaws, and Chckasaws, are
slave owners The chief products of theiS soil cot
ton, tobacco wheat cCrn OATS and barley, and they
own vast herds of cattle, horses, and sheep.
Gen. Pike has recently concluded treaties with the
Apaches kioways and Cams nches, and will effect
alliance with the Arapboes, Uheyennes, and n ava
| K0eS. OUR CamaGche ana hlOWay allies now nOl0 the
main Smoky Hill to the Pixies Peak gold region
and all the routes from the Upper Missouri to New
Mexico. They have utterly destroyed the vast CON-
merce of the Western plains which has employed hth-
to twenty millions of Yankee capital. These Indians
the prvateers of the great prairie stretching away
between the Missouri river to the Rocky mountains.
The importance Of retaining the alliance with these
Indians admits OF questions otherwise would re-
quire an army Of $4,000 men III Northern Texas and
| Western Louisiana. President Davis aced with wise
orecaste in selecting Gen. Pike, the urst and states
man. to make these treaties. He is unquesonab!y the
| right man in the right place.
The treaty concluded WaEh the Camanches is impor-
ant in many respects 1t is the first treaty that form
able tribe has made with the white man. 1t stip-
uates perpetual nity with the Confederate States and
the State of Ieras This treaty has been kept in coed
Iath by both parties for the last eg months being The
longest period of peace known exist between the
Texans and their Troublesome neighbors For TIE
first time in the history of Texas that State has
troops in the ld protect her frontiers against the
incursioGs Of the Cana nchcs. When it is considered
that this nation can bring $500 warriors against
our enemes (who cope with United States dragons
in equal numbers and that Warike Indians invariably
select time when the whites at with each 9th
to prosecute campaign against their nearest neigh
b0rs, the Importance of the peace will be appreciated
The Texan herds lis droves in security in tht
midst OF bands of armed savages who formerly stamped
ed his cattle in the very heart of Texas.
RjchnoDd D1Sn0tch