ctional spirit existing in the community.

The Legislature took the matter in hand at my suggestion,
appropriating so much money. Territorial bonds, to give the men a
bounty and purchase horses to mount them on, as I have none; but the
members cannot agree on the spoil likely in their estimation to accrue
from such a proceeding, so the bill has not yet passed. I addressed
the Speaker of the House yesterday, informing him that unless
something was done within forty-eight hours I would be compelled, much
against my will, to proclaim martial law and stop all business,
forcing every man to enter the ranks and open the line of
communication. I have now a city organization of about 100 men
organized into companies, so that in case of an attack here I would
have something tangible to lay hold of and make a fight. I have had a
great deal of trouble in this matter, as there is no concert of
action, every man suspecting his fellow of some chicanery.

Fort Lyon is being rapidly fortified, so that 200 men can defend it
against 2,000 Indians. Militia companies are being organized all over
the settled parts of the country (under penalty of being pressed into
service) to defend the frontier settlements southward, and could I but
get a Regiment here now I could keep things in a running trim until
the arrival of a sufficient force to make a campaign. The Indians are
now determined to make it a war of extermination, and nothing short of
5,000 men can make it extermination for them.

Major Wynkoop informed me from Fort Lyon that many warriors were on
the headwaters of the Smoky Hill and intended attacking all the
settlements as well as Denver. Provisions, owing to the
transportation-line being cut off, are at an exorbitant price, as well
as labor and forage.

Cannot troops be sent out here immediately, or authority to raise
companies, which could be easily done, for one year?

The Santa Fe line has threatened to stop running on account of the
Indians. Should such be the case, then all is cut off.

Respectfully, your obedient servant,

THOMAS MOONLIGHT,

_Colonel Eleventh Kansas Cavalry, Commanding_.

Colonel Chivington, from Fort Rankin, reported:

Lieutenant-Colonel Collins, with 200 men of the Eleventh Ohio, and
Company D, Seventh Iowa Cavalry, fought Indians from the 4th to the
9