rongs inflicted upon them, they will not charge it to our
fears or inability to cope with them. The cost of carrying on this war
with them is, to be sure, considerable; but the question arises, Had
we not better bear this cost now while the preparations are made and
the force on hand ready to be thrown in such strength into their
country as to make quick, effective, and final work of it, than to
suffer a continuance of their outrages for a long time and finally
have to do the work at greater expense of blood and treasure? I have
written you this frankly and truly, knowing that you want to get at
the facts and do that which is for the best, and I am convinced that
when you fully understand these matters you will agree with me. I
shall be glad at any and all times to furnish you any information in
my possession that you may desire, and I assure you I shall bend all
my energies to the accomplishment of the great object in view and so
much desired--a lasting and just peace with these Indians.

I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant.

G. M. DODGE,

_Major-General Commanding_.

Since writing this report of the Indian campaign of 1865 and 1866, I have
seen Secretary of the Navy Gideon Wells's diary of the reconstruction
period, from which the following extracts are taken:

Tuesday, August 8, 1865.

Stanton submitted a number of not material questions, yet possessed of
some little interest. Before the meeting closed the subject of army
movements on the plains came up, and Stanton said there were three
columns of twenty-two thousand troops moving into the Indian country,
with a view to an Indian campaign. Inquiry as to the origin and
authority of such a movement elicited nothing from the War Secretary.
He said he knew nothing on the subject. He had been told there was
such a movement, and Meigs had informed him it was true. Grant had
been written to for information, but Grant was away and he knew not
when he should have a reply. The expenses of this movement could not,
he said, be less than $50,000,000. But he knew nothing about it.

Friday, August 11, 1865.

The question of the Indian war on the plains was again brought
forward. No one, it appears, has any knowledge on the question. The
Secretary of War is in absolute ignorance. Says he has telegraphed to
Gen