^8 [ 2 ] 
The Rickaras villaj^es are situated about 700 miles above Council 
Bluffs, and are suppos^id to contain between 600 and 700 warriors. 
Should ihey be able to turn out 6()0 warriors, well armed and united, 
as they are reported to be, the movement of Colonel Leavenworth, 
taking into view tlie great distance, and the several intermediate na- 
tions near which he must necessarily pass, cannot but he considered 
as very hazaidous, as any disaster on our part would be witnessed, 
or very soon heard of, by the numeious adjacent nations of In- 
dians; and a repulse, attended with the loss of but few lives, would be 
to us a serious disaster, as it would tend to undo most of what has 
!>een done by the United States on the minds of the Indians, since the 
first occupancy of the posts up the Missouri. 
The unprovoked outrages of the Ricaras call for exemplary pu- 
nishment; but a premature effort on our part will but widen the breach 
between us, and enhance the evil we thus attempt to correct. 
I trust the report of Col. Leavenworth, which is not yet received, 
will give a more satisfactory view of liis measures and prospects of 
surress, than I am at present able to afford. I have, however, great 
confidence in the discretion and conduct of that officer, and I am per- 
suaded that the circumstances of the case justified the step which he 
has taken. But, he this as it may, the step is taken, and the foi'ce 
engaged must be supported. For this purpose, I have ordered Gen. 
Atkinson to repair to the Missouri, where I have directed six com- 
panies of the 1st, and four of the 7th infa»itry, to be placed under his 
orders, which, w ith the disposable pat t • f the Gtli, he will be able, not 
onl} to support Colonel Leavenwoetli, but to punish the Ricaras, and 
a'-rest the progress of Indian hostility in that quarter; or, at least, to 
prevent its extension to the Pawnees, (said to be nearly allied to the 
Ricaras) and other nations east and south thereof. 
Two steam boats are employed to transport the six companies of 
the 1st regimeiit from Baton Rouge to Si. Louis. This will occasion 
an exj)ensc of about 4,000 dollars. For tlie payment of this sum, and 
to meet the exj)ense of transportation, &c. of these companies from 
St. Louis, and the four companies of the 7th from Ai'kansaw to Coun- 
cil Bluffs, I liave to request that the quartermaster general may be 
instructed to forward to the assistant quartermaster at St. Louis the 
sum of 12,000 dollars, whi» h is deemed to be necessary to meet the 
exi)ense of tianspoitation, &c. which will be incurred in the move- 
ment to Council Bluffs. 
Very respectfully, I have the honor to be, 
E. P. GAINES, 
Major Genei'al by brevets commanding.. 
Major Gen. Jacob Brown, 
Gcneval in Chiefs JVashington. 
A true copy, 
ChS. J. NOURSE, 
A'djt, Gen. ArAin^, 
