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Ashley and Henry; they have a small number of men and a large 
amount of property at the mouth of the Yellow Stone river, atid they 
were deeply interested in the correction and pacification of the Rica- 
ras. Their zeal and efficiency in aiding to chastise those Indians, 
was conspicuous and hidily honorable, and could have been excelled 
by nothing bul the zeal of the Missouri Far Company to prevent a 
pacification of them after they were chastised and humbled into the 
dust. 
We found the Ricara Indians in two villages: the lower one con- 
taining seventy-one dirt lodges, and the upper village seventy dirt 
lodges; each village was enclosed with palisades or pickets, and a 
ditch J and the greater part of the lodges had a ditch around the bot- 
tom on the inside. These works, however, had heen represented to 
be much stronger than what we found them to be. 
During our operations, we sustained no loss in men, and had but 
two wounded: Hugh Johnson, of Gen. Ashley's command, and 
Smith, a private of Major Ketchum's company. 
Our officers and men have i-cturned in fine iiealth and spirits, and it 
is well: for those left here are nearly all sick. Capt. Fowle arrived 
here with 85 men (recruits) on the 28th instant. 
Our spring wheat has done well, aud all our crops are vei'y good. 
No material losses will be sustained by our absence. In ascending 
the river, we lost one boat, and seven men drowned, aud had another 
boat sunk by a storm. We lost one swivel and some ammunition, 
and some provisions. A particular account of all which shall be 
soon forwarded, together with a statement of every item of ex- 
pense. 
I have been highly gratified with the officers and men of the regi- 
ment, and also with General Ashley, and his command of eighty 
men, and intend to do myself the honor to make a more detailed and 
circumstantial account of all our proceedings, and of what was done 
by each, and hope that what has been done will meet the approbation 
of our superior officers, and of the Government. 
I have the honor to be. 
Very respectfully, 
Your obedient servant, 
H. LEAVENWORTH, 
Colonel, commanding 6th regiment, 
A true copy. 
Charles J. Nofrse, 
Mjuiant General Acting. 
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