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[entire two paragraphs crossed out] before Spring. I informed General Hazen that moving in this country if postponed after February 10th, is generally impracticable until May 10" or later, but by moving at once to the point I recommended, all necessary buildings could be erected and theTroops made comfortable before the heat of the summer, all of which would be impossible if he remained at Ft. Cobb until Spring. I feared that labor and money would gradually be expended there by both General Hazen and the Troops until when the time came for moving, it would be too great a sacrifice for the Government to make the change. It was exactly in that way Ft. Cobb was built, in the most undesirable position, the troops camped there in the fall, because the place they wanted happened to be occupied by Indians and gradually, through the winter, so much work was done that it was concluded to be inexpedient to move after the spring rains were over, although it had never been intended to locate permanently there.

    I thought it would be a pity to have this occur again, when the matter could be so easily and advantageously adjusted then.  I believed that the remaining portion of the Comanches and Kiowas then in a hostile attitude, could be dealt with and what might remain of them ultimately located, as well as the Cheyennes and Arapahoes entirely independent of this movement from Ft. Cobb to Cache Creek and I gave my opinion that General Sheridan could deal with hostile bands to better advantage after such a movement.

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He finally consented to go with me to see this point, still being strongly of the opinion that Ft. Cobb or its vicinity was the proper place for the Agency. Maj. Forsyth of Gen'l Sheridan's staff accompanied us. The result of this trip was just what I had anticipated, Gen'l Hazen was pleased with the country and Maj. Forsyth was enthusiastic over it and particularly well pleased with the site I had selected for the new post and made such favorable reports to Gen'l Sheridan on his return fully verifying all I had sent in regard to it that the latter gave orders for his command to move at once to this place, the Indians & Gen'l Hazen following them.

    In July, previous, agent Leavenworth had been removed and Col. A. J. Boone appointed in his place, the latter arrived at Cobb about the last of December with the long expected annuity goods and issues were made to the Penelegthka band of Comanches January 5th '69.

    Gen'l Sheridan upon his arrival here expressed  high admiration of the country and immediately made application for authority to establish a post upon the site I had selected.  As it was important that supplies for the Troops as well as Indians should be got here with as little delay as possible  I deemed it