Standard [Clarksville, Tx], July 20, 1861,
Fort Washita, C. N. }
July 3d, 1861. }
Maj. DeMorse: — Dear Sir: — A day of leasure at this place, enables me to send you a few items, that may have some interest to those readers of the Standard who have friends and relations serving in the Army of occupation at Forts Cobb, Arbuckle and Washita.
Fort Cobb, is at this time, garrisoned by three companies from Texas; two from Cook county, under Capt. Diamond, (commanding officer,) and Twitty, and Capt. Throckmorton’s company, from Collin county.
The Indians, generally, in that vicinity, manifest a disposition to be friendly, and a majority of those who left the Reserve, when the Fort was evacuated by the U. S. Troops, have returned.
Black Beaver, (Delaware) one of the leading Indians on the reserve, went North with the U. S. Troops, in the capacity of guide, and it has been ascertained, since his departure, that he, doubtless instigated by the Abolition officers at the Fort, advised the Reserves to place no confidence in the Texans, as they only wished to keep them friendly during the present difficulties, and would then annihilate them. Happily, however, better counsel is prevailing, and they are again returning to the cultivation of their corn, and the prairies are alive with their cattle and ponies.
Fort Arbuckle, is occupied by the following companies, of 100 men, each:
Capt. Harmon, (Commanding Officer,) Hopkins county; Capt. Nicholson, Fannin county, and Capt. Canseller, of Hunt county. A large quantity of Government stores, was taken here, including about one thousand dollars worth of Medicines, clothing of all kinds, and provisions.
This Post (Washita,) is occupied, at present, by four companies, viz:
Capt. Reaves, (Commanding Officer,) Grayson county; Capt. Hill, Titus county; Capt. Bounds, of Collin county; and Capt. Burks, Red River county. The men, as far as we could observe, seem fully to appreciate the importance of being thoroughly drilled, and conversant with the various manœvres and evolutions necessary to render them efficient soldiers in the field; they drill twice, daily, and the company of Capt. Reaves, that has been stationed here for several weeks, have already acquired great proficiency in the evolutions.
The Quarter-Master, and Commissary depts are supplied with all necessary stores for the present. Mr. Dumas, of Grayson, has the contract of supplying fresh beef to Forts Cobb, Arbuckle and Washita, at eight, ten, and twelve cents per pound, respectively, which may be considered a very high figure for the times.
Gen. Cooper, former U. S. Indian agent to the Chickisaws and Chocktaws, has been adopted as a citizen of the Nation, and has received a commission as Colonel, in the Confederate Army, to raise a Regiment of one thousand Indians, for service on their northern frontier. The greater portion of the Regiment is now rendezvoused at the agency, near Washita.–Last evening, Col. Lee, who is temporarily in command, received a dispatch from Gen. Cooper, at Fort Smith, with orders to march the Regiment immediately to Scullyville, near Fort Smith, when the organization will be completed, by the election of a Lieut. Colonel, and Major. Col. Lee, formerly of Bonham, Texas, is probably the most prominent aspirant for the former position; he has, up to this time, in the absence of Gen. Cooper, engaged with untiring zeal, in drilling the companies, organizing the Regiment, acting as Quarter-Master, Commissary, &c.; and with a success ensured by his long familiarity with such business, in the U. S. Army. We congratulate the Regiment on the acquisition of such a valuable officer.
The war excitement among the Indians, has reached the highest pitch. Companies are being rapidly organized in every section, and all seem anxious to participate in the coming struggle. The warriors are painted in their hideous war colors, and the “Old time war dance,” commemorative of their ancient valor in arms, is performed every night, by the companies at this place, their women singing, while the warriors form a circle, and dance around their flag-staff, with hoops and hideous yells, that almost make a man’s scalp feel loose on his cranium: it arouses the proper feeling among them however, which is the desired object.
Two Choctaw companies that came in last evening, were received with military honors by the four companies of Infantry at the Fort, and a salute fired with the six pounder, left by the U. S. Troops, all of which seemed to excite and please them amazingly, and the best of good feeling exists between them and the Texans. A majority of the officers are half breeds, intelligent, and well informed men, and very ardent in the great common causes; the others, although unable to talk with us orally, make good use of their pantomimic vocabulary, to express a like devotion. They have probably, as yet, not acquired sufficient discipline, to render them very effective in the open field, but when it comes to the “Bush whacking,” then look out for them.
Among the officers we notice the names of Capt. Carney, Capt. Ish Kitini Homa, Capt. Wade, Capt. Fulsom, Capt. Reynolds, and Capt. Phillips.
Two companies of Cavalry from Texas, under Capt. Young, of Panola county, and Capt. Welch, of Denton county, have been [illegible] and attached to the Regiment.
Gen. Young and Capt. Throckmorton, who are now at Fort Smith, are expected here daily, and it is generally expected that they will bring orders for the removal of Young’s Regiment, to the Missouri border.
More soon.
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