l only represent a portion of each
tribe. I have concluded, by representations of the Congressional
Committee made to General Ford, to wait and see the effects of Colonel
Leavenworth's mission. I will have my troops at the designated points.
If he should fail I will go forward and make the campaign as
originally ordered. I desire to add that there is not a leading
officer on the plains who has had any experience with Indians who has
faith in peace made with any of these Indians unless they are punished
for the murders, robberies and outrages they have committed for over a
year; and unless we have a settled policy, either fight and allow the
commanding officer of the department to dictate terms of peace to
them, or else it be decided that we are not to fight, but make some
kind of peace at all hazards, we will squander the summer without
result. Indians will rob and murder, and some Indian agents will
defend them, and when fall comes I will be held responsible for not
having protected the route or punished them for what they may have
done. It must be evident to the Government that I cannot be making war
on the Indians while other parties are at the same time making peace,
as has been the case so far. Whatever may be the desire of the
Government, I will lend all my energies to carry it out and make every
officer and man under me do the same. I cannot approve the manner in
which the Indians have been treated, and have no faith in them, nor
will I allow such treatment as shown at the Big Sandy fight. If peace
is concluded I trust that their reservations may be made at safe
distances from overland routes so far as possible, and that they be
made to keep away from them.

I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

G. M. DODGE,

_Major-General_.

The Government, after receiving General Pope's and my own views, sent out
Inspector-General D. B. Sackett, of the Regular Army, to investigate the
conditions in that country and to report to the Government the actual
facts. In the meantime the peace commission that had been endeavoring to
negotiate with these Indians had gone on to Denver, still protesting
against any movement against the Indians, believing that peace could be
brought about. General Sackett, upon reaching the Indian country, sent
the following dispatch, on June 14, 1865, to the commanding officer at