.MTAwMA.NjUzNDc

[marginal drawing of three heads, apparently Indians and an unclear word, Squinteyeye?]

who fired upon his men, he moved on their camp, and pursued them some distance upon their flight. From information red'd from his guide he supposed they are Arapahoes and ceased pursuit, he therefore returned to this camp (arriving the 22nd) were he learned they were the party of Cheyennes who had left here.

    On May 19th Maj. Kidd forwarded the following report.

     May 24th I returned and [crossed out: with it sent the following report]  assumed command & forwarded according to dates, the following reports (Report Mar 25 - June 7 - 21st - Aug 4th aug -9  - Aug 25 -

[following paragraph written over and partly crossed out] The Cherokees, Creeks, Seminoles, Chocktaws and other Indians occupying the Indian Territory east of this Reservation, have been partially self-sustaining for a long time but suffered severely during the war, from the effects of which they have not yet recovered. Formerly they owned large herds of cattle and horses & raised corn & they produced [illegible] and they are lately manifesting more energy in endeavoring to recover from this [?] [end of most crossed out section] The most effective laborers in these communities are the negroes formerly slaves who are at present the most industrious and thriving, they deserve and should receive the protection of the Government. Especially as there is a desire manifested on the part of the Indians to have them removed from the Territory. It is reported that many great frauds have been perpetrated upon the Government and the Semi-civilized Indians, in the collection of claims against the United States, resulting from damages sustained during the late war.

    [Crossed out:  As a general thing the whole of the]  The greater portion of the Indian Territory is well adapted to the wants of the Indian, the soil fertile and the climate mild and agreeable no part of it, however, equals the central and Eastern portions of this reserve.  The Witchita mountains the prominent feature of the country, can be crossed in almost every direction by horsemen at any season of the year, and all through there are beautiful vallies [following section is much crossed out]  with lucid springs of fine [?] and water forming deep pools and cascades.  [crossed out: Where the headwaters of Cache] which are the headwaters of Cache  Creek which is skirted with abundant timber for all practical purposes no country I ever saw surpasses its fertility, Cache Creek and its tributaries where many years ago the Witchita Indians made their home and raised large crops of Corn, pumpkins and the vegetables, with which, long before white men visited this section [crossed out:  of the country] they carried on an extensive trade with the Comanches and other [crossed out: Plains] Indians