W. M. A. Phillips to Curtis, January 19, 1863

Major General CURTIS, Commanding Department of the Missouri : Sir: As my orders direct me to ‘subsist, as far as possible, destitute Indians in the Nation,” I desire to state its condition. Some time ago Major Foreman, and a battalion of the Third Indian Regi- ment, was ordered by General Blunt to Neosho. It was on the route of supply from Fort Scott, which was then partially guarded. Major Foreman is still there with nis force (see reports). He moved down a number of Cherokee families from the Drywood, and Neosho, which had been partially abandoned, is densely peopled. The bulk of the Cherokee people are still in the Nation. Since our recent movements, and since the rebels were driven toward the Canadian River, many rebel families have fled with them and after them, to escape starvation.

There is not to-day half enough food to do the people now in the Nation. I am running Hildebrand’s Mill, avd when I get some flour and meal shall send it to Tahlequah, Park Hill, and Fort Gibson, to prevent the people now in want from starving. I shall send 400 men with the party the moment I can spare them, and this party, besides escorting and delivering the breadstuffs, can keep the enemy over the river. The opening season comes early in the Indian Nation. To escape Nrought, planting should begin in March. The Nation is nearly destitute of seed; the Government or the charitable should supply it early, or all this people will be dependent on us another year. I beg leave to submit my own plan, and it may be of service should I be superseded by another. It is to have at least 200 or 300 wagons with supplies ready at Fort Scott at the close of February, so that the command, refugees and all, should move forward rapidly in a few days to Fort Gibson. Besides seed for the people, the train should carry commissaries’ [stores] and ammunition for the whole command for at least forty days, with some surplus rations to issue to the destitute and to the soldiers to be brought over from the rebel ranks, the. Choctaws and Creeks, under McIntosh. With such supplies and a rapid movement, the country could be occupied in early spring. There are plenty of beef-cattle in the valley of the Arkansas. The train could bring supplies, and in the mean time enough could be done to thoroughly redeem the Nation.

I disapprove of covering more country than we can hold, or of inviting people to show their devotion to the Government until we can protect them from the consequences of such manifestation.

I am ordered to draw my supplies from Fort Scott. The line can be maintained, but will require some force to sustain it. Besides the Cherokee Nation, the Creek Nation is destitute of seed; seeds of all kind will be needed. The families at Neosho and the dreek families in Kansas will need transportation to move them into the Nation. Unless the Government makes’ up its mind to subsist them another year, they ought to be sent home early.

All of which I submit, with profound respect.

W. M. A. PHILLIPS, Colonel, Commanding Third Brigade, Army of the Frontier.

Hpgrs. 3D BrRiG., Ist Div.,.ARMY OF THE FRONTIER, Camp Ourtis, Ark., January 19, 1863. Major-General CURTIS, Commanding Department of the Missouri :

Sir: I desire to report in reference to certain negotiations with persons now in the rebel service in the Indian Nation. During my expedition at the close of the year, I crossed the Arkansas River and burned Fort Davis, and opened negotiations with Colonel McIntosh and the rebel Creeks, and also the rebel Choctaws. I did so because I ascer- tained that Colonel) McIntosh, who is an honorable gentleman, was really sick of the rebel service, and had always been a lukewarm supporter of it. The rebel Choctaws, the only Indians that have done real hard fighting for the rebels, are dissatisfied and disgusted, and could be brought over by proper effort. To open the Indian Nation and clear the way to Texas through a country of friends I concluded was a wise and true policy. I submit what has been done, and await orders.

I burned Fort Davis, to root the rebel army out of ” house and home,” on the south bank of the Arkansas River, and as an exhibit of power to affect the Indians. It was no mere wanton destruction. I treated the private property of even rebels scrupulously, so as to pave the way for negotiations, and spared the house of Colonel McIntosh, near Fort Davis, although sold by him to the rebel Government, through Albert Pike. Ina note to him I[ told him I spared the house as private property, not regarding the sale. Of course, you will understand that I acted in the premises merely with the necessary delicacy required to facilitate negotiations. 1 had no personal interview with Colonel McIntosh. I had an interview with two of his intimate friends, and would have met him at 10 o’clock next day, but at 12 o’clock at night I got General Blunt’s order to hurry down the Arkansas to guard his flank, and started at 12.30, and marched 50 miles before next night. [ dissuaded Colonel McIntosh from making an immediate demonstration for the Govern. ment. I foresaw that the scarcity of all forage and eatables might render it impossible that [we?] could be close to him before spring, and the experience of the Cherokees satisfied me that it was as unwise as cruel to invite such a demonstration before we could protect it. From what I did, and tried to do, I am. satisfied that what we do with the Choctaws must be by second class men and the people themselves; and yet everything can be done by proper management. It requires an exhibit of power. Our own soldiers should be well clad and fed, and proper measures furnished to clothe and take care of those who may be taken into pes ees A little means judiciously applied can accomplish a great

Besides these facts, I have had communication with several parties who belong to a secret Union league in Western Texas. This is a significant matter. Captain [F. W.] Miner, now a prominent member of Cooper’s staff, is an influential member of it. More than half of the men and officers of Colonel [J. G.] Stevens’ (and [A. M.] Alexander’s) Texas regiment belong toit. The same is true of other regiments.

Into whatever hands the management of these very delicate matters may fall, let me entreat you to preserve with the strictest secrecy what I now communicate. It is, and ought to remain, a Government secret.

I shall be happy io communicate anything further that I know or may learn, and remain,

with great respect,