[2] 
8i 
b€ pi'ocurecl, that 1 may meet and co operate with you. From tlie si- 
tuation of the Indian towns, it will be difficult for a small force to 
oust them without a six pounder. The towns are newly picketed in, 
■with timber from six to eii^lit inches thick, twelve to fifteen feet high, 
tlirt in the inside thrown up about eis^hteen inches. They front the 
river,*and, immediately in front of them, is a large sand-bai-, forming 
nearly two-thirds of a circle, at the head of which (where the river is 
very narrow) they have a hieast-work, made of ilvy wood. The ground 
on the opposite side of the river is high and commanding. They have 
about six hundred wari-iors, 1 sup|)Osc, three-fourths of them arnjed 
"with London fuzils, others with bows and arrows, war axes, &c. &c. 
I expect to hear from Major Henry (to whom I sent an express) in 
twelve or fifteen days. During that time, I shall remain between this 
place and the Aricara towns, not remaining any lengtii of time in one 
place, as my force is small, not tnore than twenty-three eftective. 
Your friend and obedient servant, 
W. H. ASHLEY. 
Onboard the boat that descends are five wounded men. Any as- 
sistance that you can afford them, 1 will feel under obligations to 
vou for. 
A true copy : 
H. LEAVENVVORTir, 
Colonel Commanding 6tli regiment. 
Directed to Major B. O'Fallon, Lidian Agent, or to the command- 
Ingofficer at Fort Atkinson. 
A true copy : 
ChS. J. NoURSE, 
Adjutant General, Acting. 
Head Quarters, 6th Infantry, 
Fort Atkinson, ISth Jwieg 1823. 
ORDERS. 
The Colonel comm-anding has to announce to his command, that 
the Aricara Indians have attacked a party of Americans, under the 
<;ommand of Gen. Wni. H. Ashley, Lt. Governor of the state of Mis- 
souri, who had a regular licence from the Government of the United 
States, agreeably to the laws of Congress for regulating trade and 
intercourse with the Indians. Fourteen of Gen. Ashley's party have 
been killed, and nine wounded. The lives of more than one hundred 
American citizens, now in the Indian country, are in the most immi- 
nent danger. Gen. Ashley, and about thirty men of his party, still 
bravely remain in the face of their savage enemy, and the General 
asks for assistance. Tlie Colonel coiumanding deems it his duty to 
16 
