know certainly there is a large
village there. There have been no squaws in the country, to my
knowledge, since last fall. The tribes engaged are the Cheyennes,
Arapahoes, Kiowas, Brule, Ogallala Sioux, a portion of the Blackfeet,
and a large portion of what is known as the Missouri River Sioux, the
same Indians General Sully made the campaign against last summer. From
3,000 to 5,000 additional troops will be needed to punish the Indians.
One column will never be able to overtake them, unless they are
willing to give battle. I think three columns of men, 1,000 strong
each, with ample garrison on the overland-mail and telegraph lines,
well mounted and supplied, can clear out the country of all hostile
Indians, if done before grass comes. After that time, in my judgment,
it will take twice that number of men.

In addition to the troubles west, I would not be surprised any day to
hear of an outbreak in the northern part of my district. I am informed
by Indian scouts that there is a large encampment of Indians on the
Running Water that are ready to engage in the war against the whites.
Among them are some of the Yanktonais Sioux.

Colonel R. R. Livingston reported as follows:

In reply to your inquiries I would respectfully state that in the
early part of January last, indications of large parties of Indians
moving westward on Republican were reported by the scouts sent to gain
information of their movements. On January 7th they had crossed South
Fork of Platte River, twenty-three miles west of this post, camped
with their families, forming a camp of 400 lodges, containing eight
warriors each, many lodges being thirty robes in size. They commenced
the work of destruction along the road west as far as Junction
Station, 100 miles from here. Their forces in this fight were not less
than 2,000, well armed with breech-loading carbines and rifles. A
desperate attempt on their part to burn the overland-stage station
near this post was made at this time, but was frustrated by the
gallantry of Captain N. J. O'Brien, Company F, Seventh Iowa Cavalry.
Every ranch and stage-station from Junction Station to this post is
burned, and the charred remains of every inmate who failed to escape
tells of the brutality they were subjected to. I telegraphed Hon. Sam
H. Elbert, acting Governor of Colorado, early i