[ 2 ] 73 
ticularly as the contest will be long over before reinforcements could 
reach the scene of action. Besides, the garrisons on the Upper 
Mississippi are too weak at present to draw detachments from them, 
only in cases of great necessity, and the detachment of recruits under 
Capt. Fowle will reach the Bluffs in August. 
Should Col. Leavenworth fail, measures shall be promptly taken 
to meet occurrences. 
In the mean time, I shall be glad to receive from you such instruc- 
tions touching the matter, as may be deemed advisable. 
With great respect. Sir, 
I have the honor to be 
Your most obedient servant, 
H. ATKINSON, Br. Oen. U. S. Ji. 
Commanding Western Depart, 
Maj. Gen. Brown, 
Commanding in Chief, 
Washington City. 
A true copy. 
Chs. J. NouRSE, Mj. Gen. Acting. * 
St. Louis, July 4, 18£3. 
Dear General : I liave merely time to say to you, that I have re- 
coived this day a letter from Maj. O'Fallon, stating,that General Ash- 
ley was attacked by the Ilicaras, on the morning of the 2d' of June, 
(after a friendly intercourse of two days) and defeated, with the loss 
of fourteen men killed and nine wounded. The General retreated 
down about twenty-five or thirty miles, and remained with thirty men 
in one boat; sent his other boat, and the disaffected and wounded, 
to Fort Atkinson, with a statement of his situation, to Col. Leaven- 
worth and Maj. O'FalloH. On the 22d, Col. Leavenworth set out 
lip to the Aricaras, with two hundred and twenty regular troops, and 
about eighty men of the companies, to be joined by a large party of 
Sioux. The Colonel has taken with him cannon, as the Aricaras are 
strongly fortified. 1 have but little doubt of the success of our troops, 
if the Indians remain in their towns to figl»t; w hich is very doubtful, if 
they discover the strength of the force. 
WM. CLARK. 
Gen. H. Atkinson. 
A true copy. 
Chs, J. NotTRSE, Mj. Gen. Acting. 
