The Smoky Hill and Republican union. [volume] (Junction City, Kan.) 1861-1864, 1864-08-20
OUR DANGER-TRo0Ps WANTED HERE.

General Blunt has District of great i'm
portance, SO far as concerns its geographical
position, the exposed state of its widely
scattered settlements, and Of its great CONT
mental lines of travel. The posts within it
are of importance, and the keeping open of
its overland mail of the utmost consequence.
But the force at his command is entirely in
adequate to the necessities crowding around
= The Indian difficulties loom up every day in
dire import. 1t is very evident that rebel
emissaries have been at work not only
among the bands who roam along our from
tier, but also with portions of those located
in our midst upon reservations. The prai.
rie band of Pottawattomies have for weeks
been engaged in suspicious movements.
They've sold their cattle, wagons, household
and farm truck, and have purchased unusual
quantities Of powder and lead. About q
month since friendly Pottawatomies Inform
ed settlers on Mill Creek, Wabaunsee coun-
ty, that one hundred of the prairie band
met some rebel agents on the Kaw Reserve.
Money was distributed by them, and they
were melted to hostility by statements that
Congress had passed a law driving them off
their lands, and that unless they fought now
they would be exterminated. They were
urged to join the wild Indians, kill off the
Yankees, and the South would help them
and let them keep the West. They were
to move about the sth of August. On the
ID two hundred did camp on Mill Creek,
but finding the whites alarmed returned to
their reservation. 1t is believed some have
gone, as also from the Kickapoos. The
Sacs and Foxes are reported as uneasy.
About one-half the Kickapoos have left their
reserve, refusing TO accept the locations made
for them under the late treaty. All of
these things make our condition somewhat
dark. From Shirley, Republic and Wash
ington counties, a petition has been received
from settlers asking protection. They say
tha. the Indians are numbering the men,
outraging the women, and plundering gen.
orally.
General Blunt will do all that man can,
we know. The citizens will aid to the ut
most of their ability. General Curtis we
know will strain everything to protect us.
But he has vast area, important commu-
nications, and a large border constantly
threatened, to be protected by his small
army.
We need at least two more mounted regi-
ments upon the Western frontier. Three
would not be too many. We think it pos
sible to raise two twelve months regiments
srithiit the Department Of Kansas, for this
especial service.
We urge General Curtis to ask authority
TO raise such regiments, similar to that
already granted to General Rosecrans in
Missouri. They must be raised in the De-
partment, and not the State of Kansas.
Some reasons for believing this can be
done suggest themselves. The recruiting
would be apportioned to Kansas, Nebraska,
and Colorado. In our own State We can
raise regiment of mounted infantry from
among the colored men. We suggest this
because it will be the least drain upon us.
But we believe that it may be raised from
our white fellow-citizens. It must be re-
nembered that the I'd, 5th, 9th, 9th and
10Th regiments will nearly all be mustered
out this present and two ensuing months.
These veterans will readily re-enlist, cspe-