Brigadier-General Sibley to John Clowney, September 3, 1864

Maj. JOHN CLOWNEY, Commanding Fort Wadsworth :

Mayor: Your dispatches of 22d and 26th ultimo have been received, and General Sibley is gratified at the progress made in building the new post. The question of the employmeut of scouts in addition to those already in the service, as suggested by Major Brown, will be submitted for the decision of Major-General Pope. The straggling Indians from the Fort Thompson reservation should, as heretotore directed, be required to keep on the west of the James River and not permitted to visit the Coteau de Prairie on any pretense whatever. You will cause any such that may be fallen in with by the scouts to be informed that if they do not at once retrace their steps to the west side of the James River they will be regarded and treated as hostile Indians. It is to be hoped that more of the Indians concerned in raids upon the settlements will be fallen in with and destroyed by parties from your post. No mercy should be shown to these wretches. You will receive orders in a few days as to the disposition to be made of the prisoner, and meantime he should be kept under safe guard and killed without hesitation should he attempt to escape. (General Sibley is very anxious to learn of the safe arrival of Lieutenant Phillips with the party who escorted Captain Fisk’s train to the Missouri. Major Downie states that it was reported some of the scouts had heard artillery firing during most of one day in the direction of the Coteau of the Missouri, but as you do not mention it in your dispatches the rumor is probably groundless. Company G, Thirtieth Wisconsin Volunteers, will form a portion of the escort to the next train to Fort Wadsworth and on arrival will report to you tor duty. You will send down a cavalry company with the returning train to Fort Ridgely. There will be about 600 tons of hay required for the post, but every care should be taken to avoid waste. Grain cannot be furnished for the horses of the returning expedition of Colonel Thomas, for it is with the utmost difficulty that transportation can be obtained for that needed for the use of the post during the winter. You will exercise a close supervision over the expenditure of all public stores and supplies at your post, for, in addition to the first cost of articles, the price of each pound of freight transported is enormous. The closest economy will be practiced in all branches of the service.

It does not appear from Major Brown’s report, inclosed by you, that there have been any late accessions to the ranks of the Indians who have accepted the terms vouchsafed them by the Government. You have doubtless learned long ere this of the murder by a band of Sioux from the upper Cheyenne of three citizens on 23d ultimo about midway between Fort Abercrombie and Georgetown, on the Red River. One of the bodies, the only one that fell into the possession of the fiends, was horribly mutilated. Many days cannot elapse before the arrival of Colonel Thomas with the force under his command at Fort Wadsworth, and General Sibley is not without hopes that he may fall in with some camp or party of marauders on his way and utterly destroy them. You will continue to keep the brigadier-general commanding informed of everything occurring of interest or importance. The telegraph announces to-day the taking and occupation of Atlanta by our forces under General Sherman.

By command of Brigadier-General Sibley: