[2] 
85 
them against lis. Col. Leavenworth's position at the date of his 
letter is not desci'ihed in any paper in my possession: but I judge it 
to be within 150 miles of the Ricaras. I am persuaded, therefore, 
that his report of the result of his movements may reach tliis place 
by the latter end of next week, as arrangements are made to convey 
it from Fort Atkinson by express. Until the receipt of that report, 
no other measures than those which I have heretofore adopted and 
reported, are deemed necessary for the concentration of supplies, or 
of force beyond that which is already in motion. 
Should CoJ. Leavenworth fail to restore peace with the Ricaras; 
oi- should he meet with any serious clieck from the Ricaras or their 
allies, the detachment of the 1st and 7th infantry, under Gen. Atkin- 
son, will inunediately be pushed up the Missouri as far as the season 
will permit and the service may require, and may ultimately return 
to and winter at Council Bluffs. And as he will stand in need of se- 
veral boats to aid him in his operations against the Indians, he will 
obtain a supply at St. Louis, and go from thence by water with the 
whole or principal part of his force, taking with him, and affording 
protection to, the subsistence and other supplies necessary for his com., 
mand. 
Should the Black-foot Indians, with the Mandans and the Sioux 
of the Missouri, or either of the two last mentioned nations, unite 
with the Ricaras, as it is rumoured they will, I shall in this case 
order the 4th infantry from Pensacola, and the four companies of the 
1st infantry near Baton Rouge (after posting a company of the 7tli 
from cantonment Jesup at Baton Rouge) in October, or early in 
[November next, in order to enable them to put themselves in tem- 
porary huts at Foi't Osage for the winter, or, if necessary, to profit 
by the ice and snow of February and March, to proceed in sleighs 
to the Bluffs in time for the whole force leave to that place by the 
middle of April. 
On the subject of rations, I have only to remark, that, with an 
Assistant Commissary possessing the zeal and ability of Capt. 
Brown, and in a country abounding in provisions, as the state of 
Missouri is known to be, and of thecheapest and best kind, I tiee! 
convinced that the requisite supplies will be, as they have been, ob- 
tained whenever called for. 
With respect, I have the honor to be, 
E. P. GAINES, 
Major General by Brt. commanding. 
To the Acting Adjutant General, 
hFas/dngton City, 
A true copy. 
ChARJLES J. NoURSE, 
Adjutant General, Acting, 
