n January of the state
of things. The troops of Colorado have been withdrawn from Valley,
fifty miles west of here, I surmise, to concentrate around Denver. The
telegraph-lines to Salt Lake and the Denver branch lines are destroyed
for a distance of nearly ten miles on the northern route, and in
different points throughout 100 miles along the Denver route.

I have but 360 troops, but so long as human endurance holds out we
will work night and day to get the communication perfect with the
west.

The Indians engaged in this war are the Cheyennes, Ogallalas, and
Brule Sioux. They have gone northward towards Horse Creek and Fort
Laramie. Their trail leads in that direction, but they are slow in
marching, feeling audacious and indifferent to any effort from the
small body of troops in this district. I saw their signals today,
probably those of small war parties, on the North Platte. You will
hear of continued murders and robberies as long as the road is so
poorly protected by troops. No spies can be used now, owing to
numerous small war parties being met everywhere in this country. I
predict that if more troops are not sent into this district
immediately, this road will be stripped of every ranch and white man
on it. Should these Indians swing around by Niobrara River and take
the Omaha road below Kearney, where settlements are numerous, infinite
mischief will result to the settlers. What we need are troops,
supplies for them, and a vigorous campaign against these hostile
Indians. They must be put on the defensive instead of us. No
difficulty can arise in finding them. Over 2,000 cattle accompany
them.

HEADQUARTERS, DISTRICT COLORADO.
DENVER, COLORADO TERRITORY, Feb. 2, 1865.

The Indians are bold in the extreme. They have burned every ranch
between Julesburg and Valley Station, and nearly all the property at
latter place; driven off all stock, both public and private. These
Indians are led by white men, and have complete control of all the
country outside my district, so that I am hemmed in.

The weather has been very severe here for nearly three weeks; the
thermometer 30 degrees below zero, with quite a fall of snow on the
ground. I have tried every means in my power to raise volunteers for
three months' State service, but as yet have not succeeded, owing to
the fa