The Council Bluffs nonpareil. [volume] (Council Bluffs [Iowa]) 1857-1867, 1864-04-02

To IMMIGRANTS by way offhe Mis-
Upper Plains to the idaho
Mines. -. ..,i >- .f-, .."' ...-
HEApQ'Rs DEPARTN'r NORTHWEST,
Milwaukee, Wis. March IA, "a. IL
The indications of heavy emigration
TO the Mines of Idaho during the coming
season, across the Plains, and by the
Missouri river, seem to render it proper
for the General Commanding this De-
partment to publish some Information
and suggestions which emigrants will find
lit judicious to consider carefully. '.
All information and every Indication
from the Plains of the Upper Missouri,
point to a combination of the powerful
band Of the Ehanck tennais Sioux, kRho
were driven to the Upper MiasoRri by
! the expeditions Of last year,, with the
Unkpap and other strong bands of the
Teton Sioux SoEth .oF tho Missouri, to
obstruct navigation or that river and to
resist the passage OF emigraIfts across the
Upper Plains. 1t seems likely now thai
la concentration of these Indian tribes
will be made early in the spring at some
point on the Missouri above the mouth of
Grand River. 4 large force of Cavalry.
under General Sully, will march against
them as soon rs the grass on the Prairies
is sufficient to subsist the animals, and
give battle to the INDIANS, or otherwise
secure peace with them. Until this Ex-
petition moves it will be unsafe for any
steamers to pass up the Missouri River
above Fort Pierre.
. The force under Gen. Sully will be
strong enough to beat the Indians if
| found concentrated on the River. If the
| Indians fail to make this concentration,
heavy forcessof Cavalry will scour the
country on both sides Of the river, and
after driving the Indians into the interior
will pursue them during the Summer,
and either force battle or p.aee.,
! 1t is recommended therefore to emf
| grants by water that they communicate
with Gen. Sully on the upprr Missouri
river, and do not attempt to pass in adj
| vance of his forces until notified by him
that it will be safe. AS many as possible
of-the boats carrying emigrants should
go together, uader some sort of organiZa-
ton. AMI it will be found judicious to
protect the vulnerable parts of the boats
| by planking them so as to be bullet proof.
| 1t is scarcely necessary to say that the
navigation of the Upper Missouri is diff
| ticuit, and that the river in many places
is very narrow and tortuous. . Indians in
ambush and under cover of the hunks
have disadvantage over an equal number
Of whites on steamboats,. By keeping in
rear of Gen. Sully and only continuing
their voyage up the river after he notifies
them that danger is past, the eTRigrants
win no doubt be able to prosecute their
journey in safety.
Such OF, the enigrants as are going with
trains overland from any point ON the
Missouri above Fort Randall, are recon I
mended to select a point~of rendezvous
on the river at which to assemble as laage
force as possible, and there make seine
organization which will place the whole
body under the direction of those mem
bers Of the party most experienced in
Indian warfare and travel on the plains.
Not less than three hundred men i'm d
body should attempt to cross the plains
at present from any point on the Missouri
river above Fort Pierre It is hoped that
by the middle of the Summer the expe-
dition against the Indians will have rem
dered the travel across any portion of
the upper plains as safe rs travel usually
is in the Indian country, where, under
any circumstances, meR should journey
in considerable parties and with every
precautiou. ..E
The denger from Indians is confined
almost entirely to the south side Of the
Missouri and to the immediate banks of
that river. A large cavalry force will set
out from Minnesota as early rs possible
in the spring for the Missouri river. near
the mouth of Long lake. and emigrants
from that State can avail themselves Of
the protection Of this force, il they think
il necessary. These Suggestions and this
that they may reach a. many % apostolic
a. u 49, t9 &E