The American Indian as Participant in the Civil War eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 459 pages of information about The American Indian as Participant in the Civil War.

The American Indian as Participant in the Civil War eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 459 pages of information about The American Indian as Participant in the Civil War.

On the whole, judging from the most reliable information, I have been able to obtain, I feel assured that the Full Indians of the Creeks, Cherokees, Seminoles, and the small bands living in the Creek Nation, are faithful to the Government.  And the same, to a great extent, is (cont.)]

moreover, on recognizably loyal ground, causes for dissatisfaction among Kansas emigrant tribes to be

[Footnote 141:  (cont.) true of the Choctaws and Chickasaws.  And were it not for the proximity of the rebel force, the loyal Indians would put down the Secession movement among themselves, at once.  Or rather, they would not have suffered it to rise at all.

The loyal Indians say, they wish “to stand by their Old Treaties.”  And they are as persistent in their adherence to these Treaties, as we are, to our Constitution.  And I have no doubt that, as soon as the Government can afford them protection, they will be ready, at the first call, to manifest, by overt action, the loyalty to which they are pledged.

They are looking, with great anxiety and hope, for the coming of the great army.  And I have no doubt that a friendly communication from the Government, through the Commissioner of Indian Affairs, would have a powerful effect in removing any false impressions, which may have been made, on the ignorant and unwary, by the emissaries of Secession, and to encourage and reassure the loyal friends of the Government, who, in despair of timely aid, may have been compelled to yield any degree of submission, to the pressure of an overwhelming force.  I was expecting to see these Indians again, and to have had further conversation with them.  But I am informed by Charles Johnnycake that they have gone to Fort Leavenworth and expect to go on to Washington.  Hearing this, I hesitated about troubling you with this letter at all, as, in that case, you would see them yourself.  But I have concluded to send it, as affording me an opportunity to express a few thoughts, with which it would hardly be worth while to occupy a separate letter.

Hoping that the counsels and movements of the Government may be directed by wisdom from above, and that the cause of truth and right may prevail, I remain with great respect, Dear Sir, Your Obedient Ser’v EVAN JONES.

P.S.  I rec. a note from Mr. Carruth, saying that he was going to Washington, with a delegation of Southern Indians, and I suppose Mico Hatki and his companions are that Delegation, or at least a part of them.

I will just say in regard to Mr. Carruth that I was acquainted with him, several years ago, as a teacher in the Cherokee Nation.  He afterwards went to the Creek Nation, I think, as teacher of a Government school, and I believe, has been there ever since.  If so, he must know a good deal about the Creeks.  Mr. Carruth bore a good character.  I think he married one of the Missionary ladies of the Presbyterian Mission.

[Indian Office Special Files, no. 201, Southern Superintendency, J 530 of 1861.]

Copyrights
Project Gutenberg
The American Indian as Participant in the Civil War from Project Gutenberg. Public domain.