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Indians, which will determine me with regard to pushing Colonel 
Chambers' detachment through by land. In the mean time, I have 
prepared transport boats, and shall send off the detachment, with 
their provisions and stoies, by water, as I shall have it in my power 
to detach at any time, a command from the boats, to be pushed on by 
land, should circumstances above render it necessary. I have adopt- 
ed this mode, because, if the troops transport their own supplies, it 
will save the United States some B6,000, and the fact of their set- 
ting out by water will retard their arrival at the Bluffs but a little, 
should the state of affairs in the upper country make it necessary 
that they should ultimately go by land, as all they progress by wa- 
ter will so much shorten the distance. 
The detachment, as you will see by the enclosed report, is weaker 
than you anticipated; forty-five are reported sick, but none are seri- 
ously indisposed, except the Adjutant; all ^he men will be able to 
move with the detachment. 
Every thing justifies a belief, tliat Colonel Chambers' movement 
will be as prompt and successful as you anticipated. Late advices 
from the Upper Mississippi represent every thing to be tranquil in 
that quarter; some letters and returns from thence, addressed to me, 
are sent to you, under cover, by Lieutenant Russell, who will deliver 
this communication. 
I will avail myself of every opportunity to keep you advised of 
every circumstance of interest within my command. 
"With very great respect, &c. 
H. ATKINSON, 
Brig. Oen. U. S. Srmij. 
Major General E. P. Gaines, &.c. , 
Head Quarters, Western Department, 
Louisville, Ken. Jiihj 12,1823. 
Sir ; I have this moment received, from Governor Clark, a letter, 
of which the enclosed is a copy. 
I have but liUie doubt of the force wliich Col. Leavenworth has 
taken with liim for the purpose of chastising the Ricaras for the out- 
rage committed on Gen. Ashley's party, will be ample for the object. 
Two hundred and twenty soldiers, eighty men of the traders, with 
tliirty men under Geu. Ashley, and perhaps two to three thousand 
Sioux Indians, is sulik ient to destroy any Indian force that the up- 
per tribes can bring against them. 
Until the result of the expedition under Col. Leavenworth is 
known, it is unnecessary to give any orders touching the matter; par- 
