But it was a buffer, throbbing with life, and that was something Steele dared not ignore and could not if he would.  With such a consciousness, when the secessionist Cherokees were making arrangements for their council at Webber’s Falls in April, he hastened to propitiate them ahead of time by addressing them “through the medium of their wants” for he feared what might be their action[788] should they assemble with a

[Footnote 786:  Steele to Wigfall, April 15, 1863, Official Records, vol. xxii, part ii, 820.]

[Footnote 787:  Steele’s letter books furnish much evidence on this score.  A large portion has been published in the Official Records.  During the period covered by this chapter, he was drawing his supply of flour from Riddle’s Station, “on the Fort Smith and Boggy Road” [Confederate Records, chap. 2, no. 270, p. 252] in charge of which was Captain Hardin of Bass’s Texas Cavalry.  He expected to draw from Arkansas likewise [Steele to Major S.J.  Lee, June 9, 1863, Confederate Records, chap. 2, no. 268, pp. 70-71; Duval to Hardin, June 16, 1863, Ibid., p. 81; Steele to Lee, June 17, 1863, Ibid., pp. 87-88].]

[Footnote 788:  “Enclosed please find a letter to Col.  Adair, and a note from him forwarding it.  I send it for the consideration of General Holmes.  The (cont.)]

grievance[789] against the Confederacy in their hearts.  Protection against the oncoming enemy and relief from want were the things the Indians craved, so, short though his own supplies were, Steele had to make provision for the helpless and indigent natives, the feeding of whom became a fruitful and constantly increasing source of embarrassment.[790]

Just and generous as General Steele endeavored to

[Footnote 788:  (cont.) subject is one of grave importance.  If a regiment of infantry could be spared to take post at this place and General Cabell could be permitted to include it in his command, I would go more into the nation and would be able soon to give the required protection.  The troops from Red River have been ordered up and should be some distance on the way before this.  I fear the meeting of the Cherokee Council which takes place on the 20th ... unless more troops arrive before they act.”—­STEELE to Anderson, April 15, 1863, Confederate Records, no. 270, p. 194.

This was not the first time Steele had expressed a wish to go into the Nation.  March 20th, when writing to Anderson [Ibid., p. 150], he had thought it of “paramount importance” that he visit all parts of his command.  Concerning his apprehension about the prospective work of the Cherokee Council, he wrote quite candidly to Wigfall [Official Records, vol. xxii, part ii, 821].]

[Footnote 789:  The letter to Colonel W.P.  Adair, written by one of his adjutants, J.A.  Scales, April 12, 1863 [Ibid., 821-822], is a creditable presentation of the Cherokee grievance.]