70 [ 2 ] 
vernment, this would seem to be the accepted time; a decisive blow 
is indispensable for the safety of every white man on the river above 
the Council Bluffs, and even to the troops stationed atthatpost. But I 
need not dwell upon this subject : you know too well the importance 
of the movement. 
The following is an extract from Mr. Gordon's letter, dated 
Fort Vanderburgh, 
Mandan and Grosventre^s Villages, June 15, 1823. 
Dear Sir: It becomes my unpleasant duty to inform you of the 
defeat of our party by the Black Foot Indians, and of the dire conse- 
quences of the same. After penetrating to the Three Forks of the 
Missouri, early in the Spring, although we found that country almost 
entirely trapt out by the Indians, we had succeeded, by the greatest 
perseverance, in taking about packs of beaver. On the 1 6tli 
of May, having reached the Upper Three Forks of R. .Jefferson's ri- 
ver, and finding no beaver in that quarter, we commenced a retro- 
grade march for the Yellow Stone. On the second day we fell in 
with a party of 38 Black Foot Indians. They came up boldly, and 
smoked, and remained with us during that night, making every pro- 
fession of friendship; and, in the morning, after making them presents 
of such articles as we could spare, they parted with^us apparently 
well satisfied, having first invited us to come and establish at the 
mouth of the Maria River, as they said they had been informed wag 
our intention. They were in possession of every information in re- 
gard to the two boats being at the mouth of the Yellow Stone, and of 
their determination to ascend the Missouri to the Falls. This inform- 
ation must have been derived from the British traders, who have 
most probably instigated them to commit this outrage, and by them, 
no doubt, from some faithful correspondent at St. Louis. We did 
not suffer ourselves, however, to be lulled into false ideas of security 
by their friendly professions, but commenced a direct and precipitate 
retreat from the country, keeping out a strict regard [guard] every 
night, and using every possible vigilance at all times. This party of 38 
had returned to their village, which was very close, and recruited to 
the number of between 3 and 400 men. These had intercepted us on 
the Yellow Stone, where they arrived two days before us. They lay 
in ambush for us on the side of a steep hill, the base of which was 
washed by the river, along which we had to pursue the intricate 
windings of a buffaloe trace, among rocks, trees, &c. by means of 
which they had secreted tjiemselves. At this place the men were, of 
course, much scattered for a considerable distance, as two horses 
could not pass abreast. At this unfortunate moment, and under 
circumstances .so disadvantageous, they rushed upon us with the 
whole force, pouring down from every quarter. Messrs. Immel and 
Jones both fell early in the engagement. A conflict, thus unequal, 
could not be long maintained. The result was the loss of five other 
