62 C 2 ] 
Just as I am concluding this letter to you, I am interrupted by an 
express with a letter from Mr. Pilcher, in which he says, *♦ I have 
but a momt :it to write. I met an express from the Mandans, giving 
me very unpleasant news. The flower of my business is gone, my 
mountaineers have been defeated, and the chiefs of the party both slain. 
I wiU write you more fully between this and the Sioux. The party 
was attacked by three or four hundred Blackfoot Indians, in a posi- 
tion on the Yellow Stone River, where nothing but defeat could be 
expected. Jones and Immel and five other men were killed. The 
former, it is said, fought most desperately. Jones killed two In- 
dians, and as he was drawing his pistol to kill the third received two 
spears in his breast. Immel was in frontj he killed one Indian, and 
was cut to pieces. I think we lose at least 15000 dollars." 
The express left the military expedition on the first instant, when 
it was progressing rapidly. 
I have the honor to be, &c. &c. &c. 
B. O'FALLON, 
United States* Jgentj Indian Jiffairs. 
Gen. Atkinson. 
A true copy, 
R. LewNDS, Md-de-Camp. 
B.— No. 1. 
FoKT Atkinson, 
July 8, 1823. 
Sir: Since I wrote you at the end of the last month, I received a 
letter from Col. Leavenworth, dated on the 4th inst. two miles above 
Caball Bluffs, informing me that he had the misfortune to lose 
Lieut. Wickliff's boat, sergeant Stackpole, and six privates, drowned; 
lie writes in haste, giving no particulars; but says that the princi- 
pal part of the cargo was saved; that he was under way, and all well; 
he put that part of the cargo saved on board of the other boats and 
those of Mr. Pilcher. 
I learnt from the two men who were the beaiers of the Colonel's 
letter, that the boat broke into two across a snag, of course she must 
have sunk; the men were from Major Henry, and informed that Gen. 
Ashley was upon an Island, about one hundred miles below the Ri- 
caras Villages. I write hastily by tiie boat which leaves here this 
day, fearing an erroneous report should reach you. 
WM. S. FOSTER, 
Major U. S. Army. 
General Atkinson. 
A true copy: 
R. LowNDS, Jiid-de-Camjn 
