“The expedition which I have been with during the summer, exploring this country, consisted of three Brigades but containing actually only about 6 thousand men.  We routed, captured, and pursued the fragments of several Rebel commands, driving them south of the Arkansas River, opposite to, and in the vicinity of Fort Gibson.  This done, we found the whole of Western Arkansas alive, and the numerous rebel squads were at once reinforced from the guerila parties of Missouri, Arkansas, Texas, and the various rebel Indian tribes, until they now number a force of from 30 to 40 thousand strong, under the command of Pike, Drew, McIntosh, Rains, Stand Watie and others, ready to contest the passage of the Arkansas River at any point and in fact capable of crossing to the north side of the river and possessing the country we have twice passed over.  Why did our command fall back?  Simply because we had not force sufficient to cross the Arkansas River and maintain our position and because we were to remote from our dipo of supplies.

“The Creek country west of the Verdigris River is almost destitute (cont.)]

[Footnote 586:  A dispute between Blunt and Coffin had been going on for some time.  In August, Coffin wrote to Mix that “The contrariness and (cont.)]

suspicions of graft and peculation[587] and the moment, following the defeat of the Confederates at old Fort Wayne, seemed rather auspicious for the return of the refugees.  In reality, it was not, however; for the Federals were far from possessing Indian Territory and they had no force that they could devote to it exclusively.

[Footnote 585:  (cont.) of forage for man or beast, owing to the drouth—­Hence to remove these families would involve to the gov’t great additional expense, not only to subsist but to protect them—­Where they are they need no military protection and food is abundant.

“You will bear in mind that a large portion of the Indian country is south of the Arkansas River and is at present the stronghold of the Rebels.  Many portions of it mountainous and rugged, affording secure retreats that will require a powerful army to dislodge.”—­A.C.  ELLITHORPE to Coffin, September 12, 1862, Indian Office General Files, Southern Superintendency, 1859-1862.]

[Footnote 586:  (cont.) interference manifested by the military authorities in the Indian Country towards those who are having charge of the Indians within the Cherokee Nation is so annoying and embarrassing that it has become unpleasant, difficult, and almost impossible for them to attend to the duties of their official capacities with success.  If the Military would only make it their business to rid the Indian Territory of Rebels instead of intermeddling with the affairs of the Interior Department or those connected with or acting for the same, the Refugee Indians in Kansas might have long since been enabled to return to their homes ...”—­Indian Office General Files, Southern Superintendency, 1863-1864, C 466.]