.MTAwMA.NjUzNDA

From Newberry Transcribe
Jump to navigation Jump to search

cribed by the Medicine Lodge Treaty, and that a permanent Military Post would soon be established on the same reservation - In the selection of the locality General Sheridan wished in the establishment of the post to accommodate the Indian interest and General Hazen desired to locate the agency so as not to incommode the troops, both, however, seemed to incline to the valley of the Washita river as being the best point for both.

   I regretted this exceedingly and felt certain that they would change their minds had they examined the country as well as I had,  I spent several weeks last summer in visiting all parts of the reserve, excepting the uninviting north-western portion, with the view of intelligently deciding the best point for the new post having the Indian question in my mind at the same time and on reviewing the subject then, giving it close attention for several days, my opinions had not changed.   There was not in my mind the slightest doubt that the best location for the Post and Agency  was at this point (Near the junction of Cache and Medicine Bluff Creeks) -
    Looking first to the selection of a point for building a frontier post for purely military purposes, I used this language in my official report dated July 14" 1868, forwarded to Department HdQrs. and to which I again called their attention.

[crossed -out writing in the left margin and written in the same orientation at the bottom of the page] [not crossed-out writing at the end:] the best to move before Spring 7 if at all.

   I am decidedly of the opinion that for the purpose of controlling the Indian tribes, inclined to be lawless and troublesome, preventing marauding parties now so often visiting north-western Texas and of protecting the Chickasaw and Seminole borders and the peaceable tribes still farther west, who are endeavoring to fulfill their obligation to the Government from molestation by the wild bands a new post to be garrisoned by Cavalry should be at once established west of Ft. Arbuckle.
   I gave particular attention to the selection of the best location for such a station.
  At a point 8 miles north and 70 miles west from Ft. Arbuckle, the most practicable route being about 75 miles, I found what I consider on the whole the best location for a Military post in the southwestern portion of this territory.
   It is a tract of high level prairie land containing about 200 acres, situated just at the base of the range of hills which are the eastern extent of the Wichita mountains.   Mount Scott the highest peak fo the Witchita chain is 7 or 8 miles west by north, a perpendicular cliff of Trap rock, known by all the Indians as Medicine Bluff, is a mile and a half in the same direction; and immediately west of the plateau and 30 feet lower than it are three or four hundred acres of level prairie land.  The Northern boundary of the plateau is a beautiful pure stream of good size. running in a deep pebbly