EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT, PARK HILL, Feb’y 25th, 1862.

To BRIG.  GEN’L.A.  PIKE, Com’dy Indian Department.

Sir:  I have deemed it my duty to address you on the present occasion—­You have doubtless ere this received my communication enclosing the action of the National Council with regard to the final ratification of our Treaty—­Col.  Drew’s Regiment promptly took up the line of march on the receipt of your order from Fort Smith towards Fayetteville. I accompanied the Troops some 12 miles East of this and I am happy to assure you in the most confident manner that in my opinion this Regiment will not fail to do their whole duty, whenever the Conflict with the common Enemy shall take place.  There are so many conflicting reports as to your whereabouts and consequently much interest is felt by the People to know where the Head Qrs. of your military operations will be established during the present emergencies—­I had intended going up to see the Troops of our Regiment; also to visit the Head Qrs of the Army at Cane Hill in view of affording every aid in any manner within the reach of my power to repel the Enemy.  But I am sorry to say I have been dissuaded from going at present in consequence of some unwarrantable conduct on the part of many base, reckless and unprincipled persons belonging to Watie’s Regiment who are under no subordination or restraint of their leaders in domineering over and trampling upon the rights of peaceable and unoffending citizens.  I have at all times in the most unequivocal manner assured the People that you will not only promptly discountenance, but will take steps to put a stop to such proceedings for the protection of their persons and property and to redress their wrongs—­This is not the time for crimination and recrimination; at a proper time I have certain specific complaints to report for your investigation.  Pardon me for again reiterating that (cont.)]

Drew’s.[53] The Cherokees had been in much confusion all winter.  Civil war within their nation impended.[54] None the less, Pike, assuming that all would be well when the call for action came, had ordered all the Cherokee and Creek regiments to hurry to the help of McCulloch.[55] He had done this upon the first intimation of the Federal advance.  The Cherokees had proceeded only so far, the Creeks not at all, and the main body of the Choctaws and Chickasaws, into whose minds some unscrupulous merchants had instilled mercenary motives and the elements of discord generally, were lingering far in the background.  Pike’s white force was, moreover, ridiculously small, some Texas cavalry, dignified by him as collectively a squadron, Captain O.G.  Welch in command.  There had as yet not been even a pretense of giving him the three regiments of white men earlier asked for.  Toward the close of the afternoon of March 6, Pike “came up with the rear of McCulloch’s division,"[56] which proved to be the very division he was to follow, but he was one day late for the fray.