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Salt Fort and returned South of Red River, as Contemplated, I think he would have had a better chance to get [strike] intercept parties of Indians moving south, or to get upon their trail. I have not learned what caused him to change his route. It may have been on account of the difficulty of obtaining good water. I understand that he has crossed Otter Ck. and encamped about five miles on a branch of West Cache Ck, where he is awaiting the arrival of forage train from this post, before returning to Texas. I left 4 Cos. at Otter Ck for the purpose of patrolling along the line of Red River, and towards Griffin, and will probably keep a detachment at that