[2] 
n 
who have lately committed an outrage on Gen. Ashley's party, it is 
very important that you shuuld reach Council Bluffs with the de- 
tachment of recruits of the 6th regiment, under your command, as 
early as possible. 
As the voyage by water to your point of destination is tedious^ 
and will necessarily protract your arrival, you will march from St. 
Louis by the way of Clay Courthouse, and thence along Ray's 
trace, with one hundred picked men of the detachment for Council 
Bluffs. The residue of the detachment you will leave under an offi- 
cer or two, to ascend the Missouri, with one or two of the transport 
boats and the whole baggage of the detachment. 
Capt. Brandt, Assistant Quartermaster General at St. Louis, is 
ordered to furnish the necessary transportation for your march, 
which should be as limited as possible; as pack-liorse transportation 
will both facilitate your movement and curtail expenses, you will 
adopt that mode — 18 or 20 horses, I presume, will be ample, as you 
will find at the Bluffs all necessary supplies, and you w ill want to 
take little else with you from the upper settlements than some 8 or 
10 days provisions. 
Lieut. Brown, Assistant Commissary, is instructed to furnish 
provisions for the land detachment, both at St. Louis and at the upper 
settlements. 
Depending on your promptness and energy for the execution of the 
objects above stated, 
I am, &c. &c. &c. 
H. ATKINSON, 
Brig. Gen. U. S. Armtj com. W. JJepartmenU 
Capt. FowxE, 
5th RegH Infantry, Missouri. 
A true copy. 
ChABIES J. NOURSE, 
Mjutant General, Acting. 
Head Quakters, Western Department, 
Louisville, Kentucky, Aug. I6th, 1823. 
General : I received last night the report of Col. Leavenworth, 
announcing his intention to visit the Ricaras Indians, dated June 
18th, 1823. 
This report, which I enclose herewith, contains no material fact 
differing from those transmitted by General Clark, Major Foster, 
and Major 0' Fallon, referred to in my letter to you of the 26th of 
