OCR Text |
Show REPORT OF THE BOARD OF INDIAN COMMISSIONERS. 81 answered it at once. It was kept up until about, 2 p. m., when it died away. Thinking that it might be a small party who were afraid to come in, I sent Lieutenant Weasels, Francisco, and six men up the side of the mountain. They went well up to where the lire had been, but could elicit no response to their speech. The command was put - n route back to Sunflower Valley, at 4 p. m., aucl reached there at 7.30 p. m., remain-ing for the night. In going from Sunflower Valley to Reno, fresh signal smoke was made at the same place where we had observed it when leaving the post. On reaching Sunflower Valley, it was found that the flag which I had left in the morning was miss-ing. The end of the staff had been broken off and the remainder pointed towards Camp McDowell, stone being piled around it to keep it in place. Nothing transpired during the night. I am confident that the whole object of the mission was fully mado known, and it is my impression that the parties observing our movements left for the purpose of consulting their chief. I am strengthened in this belief from the fact that they did not, as is usual with them, use any defiant language or fire any shots. Had my rations permitted, I should have remained at Reno long enough to allow them to communicate; as it is, I think that a day or two will bring some of them into the post; if not, they do not intend to come at all. Nothing worthy of notice occurred further. I left Sunflower Valley at 7 a. m., and reached this post at 3 p. m. I am, sir, very respectfully, JAMES CURTIS, Captain Third Cavalry, Commanding Troop I. APPENDIX A b, No. 22. Camp McDowell as a temporary asylum for feeding Apaches. CAMP MCDOWELL, ARIZONA TERRITORY, September 25, 1871. GeNERAL: In the event that some of the Apache Indians should be induced to come in at McDowell to be at peace, you are requested and authorized to protect, feed, and otherwise care for them, under the authority of the orders of the War Department, by diivction of the President, dated . Washington, D. C., July 18 and 31, 1871, ( copies of which were forwarded to you on the 25th instant,) until such times as there maybe & sufficient number to be forwarded to the reservation at Camp Grant, or to another reservation, which it may be found desirable to establish for the Tontos, at a place to be hereafter designated. Meanwhile yon will please consider the limits of this military reservation as an Indian reservation, and you are also authorized to purchase clothing, nianta, calico, & c., to an amount not exceeding four hundred dollars. Very respectfully, your obedient servant. VINCENT COLYER, Commissioner. GENERAL N. M. DUDLEY, Commanding Post. APPENDIX A b, No. 23. Requesting Captain McGregor to open communications with the Tonto Apachts. IN THE FIELD, NEAR CAMP MCDOWELL, Arizona Territory, September 27, 1871. CAPTAIN : General Dudley's party, interpreter, and escort having failed to open direct communications with the Apache Indians near Camp Rdno, though receiving many encouraging signs of a peaceable disposition on the part of the Indians, and the soldiers and animals belonging to General Dudley's command requiring rest, will you have the kindness to send an interpreter with a white flag, and such escort as you may think necessary, starting within the next two days to the Apache Indians living in the direc-tion of Superstition Mountain, iu a southeasterly direction from this post, with a view to bringing them in and placing them on a reservation where they can be protected, fed, and otherwise cared for I For your authority, 1 respectfully refer you to the inclosed copies of orders from the ' War Department, dated July 18 and 31, 1871. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, VINCENT COLYER, Commissioner. Captain THOMAS MCGREGOR, U. S. A., Commanding Detachment Troops. 6 i c |