106 C 2 ] 
Adjutant General's Office, 
Washington, July 26, 1823. 
Sir: I am directed by Major General Brown, to acknowledge the 
receipt of your letters of the 12tli and 13th inst. reporting the attack, 
by the Ricaras Indians, on General Ashley's trading party, &c. 
I'hese letters have been submitted to the President, and he instructs 
the General to express his entire approbation of the measures taken, 
in consequence of these hostilities. This outrage is much to be re- 
gretted, but an Indian war is not expected to ensue, and the General 
has no doubt that Colonel Leavenworth's movement will entirely dis- 
sipate tliis body of misguided savages, and restore tranquillity to that 
frontier. Should these anticipations be disappointed, and hostilities be 
persevered in, he relies upon you to take such prompt and energetic 
measures as the nature of the case may require. 
I have the honor to be. 
Sir, with great respect. 
Your obedient servant, 
E. KIRBY, Aid-de-Camp, 
Brigadier General li. Atkinson, 
Coui'g ff'este7-n Department U.S. Jrmif^ 
Louisville, Kentucky, 
A true copy. 
ChAKLES J. Noi RSE, 
Jidjutant General, Acting. 
Adjutant General's Office, 
Washington, August 25, 1823. 
Sir: 1 am directed by Major General Brown to acknowledge the 
recei|»t of your letter of the lUth instant, reporting that you hare 
dtemed it proper to suspend your movement to Washington. In 
reply, the General directs me to say, that the measures you have 
taken in relation to theltidian hostilities within your de])artment, so 
far as tiiey have come to his knowledge, meet his approbation, and 
he subuiits it to yourself to fix upon the time when you will avail 
yourself of his ordeis of the 24th July, to repair to Washington. 
I have the honor to be, Sir, with great respect, 
Y'^our obedient servant, 
E. KIRBY, Aid-de-camp. 
Maj. Gen. Gaines. 
Com'g Western Department U. S. Army, 
Louisville, Kentucky. 
\ true copy, 
Charles J. Nourse, 
Adjutant General, Acting. 
