John Pope to J. C. Kelton, February 18, 1863

Col. J. C. KELTON, Assistant Adjutant-General, Headquarters of the Army:

COLONEL: I desire again to invite the attention of the General-inChief and the Government to the condition of the Indian prisoners now held in custody by the military authorities in the State of Minnesota. There are two classes of these prisoners. The first class numbers about 270, and consists of those Indians immediately engaged in the outrages during the late Indian outbreak in Minnesota. The second class numbers about 1,800, and consists of the women and children and old men of Little Crow’s band of Sioux, who surrendered themselves to General Sibley during his campaign of last autumn. The care of these prisoners is, under the circumstances, very embarrassing to the military authorities, and will interfere considerably with the projected spring campaign. It is also attended with much expense, which, by right, falls upon the Indian Department. A considerable force is required to guard these prisoners, not only to prevent escape, but to protect them against the inhabitants of the State, who are so influenced by the atrocities committed by the Indians that it has been with difficulty, and only by the use of considerable force, that they have been prevented

118 M. O., ARK, KANS., IND. T., AND DEPT. N. W. (Umar. XXXIV.

from putting the Indians to death. This state of feeling is principally manifested towarnl the prisoners of the first class. I have the honor to request that some immediate disposition be made of these Indian prisoners, so as to relieve the considerable force guarding them for active service in the spring. The Indian Department is properly chargeable with the care of these Indians, and I recommend and request that they be turned over to that Department. The condemned Indians ought, at once, to be sent to some place of confinement out of the State. May I ask urgently speedy attention to the request, in order that the troops now guarding these prisoners can be gotten ready for service on the plains? Our operations will be embarrassed if deprived of the considerable force needed to guard and protect these Indian prisoners. I am, colonel,

very respectfully, your obedient servant, ,