John Pope to Henry H. Sibley, February 17, 1863

Brig. Gen. H. H. SIBLEY, Commanding District of Minnesota :

DEAR GENERAL: I arrived here on the 14th, and yesterday received. your letter of the 11th. As you know, it has always been my purpose to make a vigorous campaign against the Indians as soon as possible in the spring. I desire you to organize the expedition sent out from your district, and to command one column, with a general supervision of the others from your district. J had hoped that you could organize at least two columns, of sufficient strength, from your district, and hope still that you may be able todo so, The bulk of the troops in this department are in Minnesota. I desire to send three columns into the field as soon as possible—one from head of navigation on Minnesota River, as you suggest; one from the border of lowa, by way of Big Sioux River, and one from Fort Randall, up the Missouri River. Some small force should also visit the Red Lake Indians. The only objection I have to your proposed organization is the small force of cavalry you propose to take. I should suppose that the main portion, if not the whole, of your force should be cavalry, with such artillery as is needed. I can only assemble, outside of your troops in Minnesota, about 2,000 men for the Missouri River expedition, and these are mostly cavalry. I should like you to organize two columns, if you can, of sufficient strength to act separately. If not, you must move with one. I suppose the horses bought last autumn, about 2,000 in number, would be sufficient to give you a heavy cavalry force with each column, say onehalf as strong as yourinfantry. I will have your requisitions attended to, and the supplies forwarded from Saint Louis as soon as the river is navigable. I think your estimate for transportation very large, as on

116 M. O., ARK., KANS., IND. T., AND DEPT. N. W. (Csar. XXXIV.

such a campaign your meat ration will be taken on the hoof, and you need only sugar and coffee, flour (or hard bread), and salt, to be transported in your wagons. Celerity of movement, as I need not suggest to you, is all-important on such expeditions; with much infantry and large wagon-trains, this would be next to impossible. Please make every arrangement to move at the earliest moment, and I call your a¢- tention again to an increase of the cavalry force. You will have to mount some of your infantry for the purpose, but as the main object is to transport your forces with the greatest rapidity from one point to another, this arrangement will answer. In relation to Indian prisoners, I hardly know how to answer you. I have endeavored to have some disposition made of the prisoners, so as to relieve the military of any charge of them, but, so far, unsuccessful. I will write again to the Government, and send your letter. Please write me fully, and give me all possible information concerning the Chippewas. I will write you fully as soon as full preparations are made for the campaign.

Very respectfully, and truly, yours,