Sir:  On my arrival in St. Louis I found Gen’l Hunter at the Planters House and delivered the message to him that you had placed in my hands for that purpose.  He seemed fully satisfied with your letter and has acted on it accordingly.  I recd from Gen’l Hunter a letter for Mr. Cutler, and others of this place, all of which I have delivered.  Having found Cutler here, he having been ordered by Lane to move the council from Leroy to Fort Scott.  But from some cause (which I have not learned) he has brought the chiefs all here to the Fort, where they are now quartered awaiting the arrival of Gen’l Hunter.  He has with him six of the head chiefs of the Creek, Seminole and Cherokee Nations, and tells me that they are strong for the Union.  He also says that John Ross (Cherokee) is all right but dare not let it be known, and that he will be here if he can get away from the tribe.

These chiefs all say they want to fight for the Union, and that they will do so if they can get arms and ammunition.  Gen’l Hunter has ordered me to await his arrival here at which time he will council with these men, and report to you the result.  I think he will be here on Tuesday or Wednesday.  Cutler wants to take the Indians to Washington, but I advised him not to do so until I could hear from you.  When I met him here he was on his way there.

You had better write to him here as soon as you get this, or you will see him there pretty soon.

I have nothing more to write now but will write in a day or two.

Yours Truly R.W.  DOLE.

P.S.  Coffin is at home sick, but will be here soon.  Branch is at St. Joe but would not come over with me, cause, too buissie to attend to business.

[Indian Office Special Files, no 201, Southern Superintendency, D 410 of 1861].]

[Footnote 156:  In part proof of this take his letter to Adjutant-general Thomas, January 15, 1862.

“On my arrival here in November last I telegraphed for permission to (cont.)]

of Indian Territory.  Some other explanation, therefore, must be found for the opposition he advanced to Lane’s project as soon as it was brought to his notice.  It had been launched without his approval having been explicitly sought and almost under false pretences.[157] Then, too, Lane’s bumptiousness, after he had accomplished his object, was naturally very irritating.  But, far above every other reason, personal or professional, that Hunter had for objecting to a command conducted by Lane was the identical one that Halleck,[158] Robinson, and many another shared with him, a wholesome repugnance to such marauding[159] as Lane had permitted his men to indulge in in the autumn.  It was to be feared that Indians under Lane would inevitably revert to savagery.  There would be no one to put any restraint upon them and their natural instincts would be given free play.  Conceivably then, it was not mere supersensitiveness and pettiness of spirit that moved General Hunter to take exception to Lane’s appointment but regard for the honor of his profession, perchance, also, a certain feeling of personal dignity that