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51. TATUM [left margin] January 16. 1873. Mr. Laurice Tatum, Indian Agent, Fort Sill, I. T. Dear Mr. Tatum,

                           Your letter of the 24" December is just received.  I will release one or two, as you recommend, of the Indian prisoners for every white captive returned to you by the Indians, from whatever tribe they may be obtained; and you may say so to the Indians, and will give double that number for the return of Mr. Smith's son - understood to be with the Apaches.
                                                                                             Very respectfully
                                                                                             Your obdt. servant
                                                                                  (Sgd)   C. C. Augur

218.D.T.'73. Brigadier General

                                                                                               Commanding

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 94. STANTON, Fort, C.O. [left margin] January 27, 1873. Commanding Officer Fort Stanton, N. M. Sir:

                  Some time during 1870 - I think - a Mrs. Fields, living with her husband near Fort McKavett, Texas, disappeared and it was stated and believed at the time, that she was captured and taken away by the Indians.  Afterwards it came to be believed by many, that she was not taken by Indians but, that living unhappily with her husband, she escaped from him and went away with her brother-in-law, a Mr. Robert Casey, who resides near Fort Stanton, N. M.
    The Indian women and children, captured by Colonel MacKenzie last fall, are still held as hostages for the return of white captives in the hands of the Indians.  They have already brought in all, who are know to have been captured, except Mrs. Fields, and they profess to know nothing of her.   This professed ignorance rather strengthens the prevailing opinion that Mrs. Fields was not captured by Indians.  As Mr. Casey resides near your Post, you will be good enough to see him and learn if Mrs. Fields is with him, or if he knows of her whereabouts.  If there is a desire to keep her concealed from her husband I have no wish or purpose to interfere with such an arrangement.  All I desire to know is, is she in the hands of the Indians?  If I can be satisfied on that point, it will