H. C. Small to General, January 17, 1865

GENERAL:

I have the honor to inform you of a scout made to Cottonwood Creek, on Canyon City road. On the morning of the 11th instant, at 2 a. m., an express was sent for me to hasten with all possible speed to the stage station on Cottonwood, as the Indians had shown themselves the previous evening, and, from representations, wouid doubtless attack the settlers before I could reach there. I started immediately with Lieutenant Hand and ten men, leaving ten behind with the pack train. I arrived at Cottonwood at 8 a.m. and found that a party of six Indians, armed with four rifles and two bows and arrows, had shown signs of attacking a couple of travelers, who encountered them two miles this side of the station, but had escaped unhurt to the house. The Indians then came down in sight of the house, and seemed to be in no hurry about leaving. My impression was, when I left here, that they could be easily tracked, but, to my surprise, I found that the snow had entirely disappeared and the ground frozen very hard, which rendered pursuit impossible. I went as far as the South Fork, crossing at the foot of the timbered ridge, and returning down to the mouth on the east side, having been out three days and two nights, traveling a distance of fifty-five miles. Lieutenant Hand, with a detachment of ten men, leaves in the morning for the

South Fork with ten days’ rations. I am, with much respect,

your obedient servant,