[Footnote 248:  Ritchie to Dole, April 26, 1863 [Indian Office Miscellaneous Files, 1858-1863].]

[Footnote 249:  The reestablishment, considered in the light of the first orders issued by Blunt, those set out here, was decidedly in the nature of a reflection upon the reactionary policy of Halleck and Sturgis; but Halleck had no regrets.  Of Kansas, he said, “Thank God, it is no longer under my command.” [Official Records, vol. xiii, 440.] Ever since the time, when he had been urged by the administration in Washington, peculiarly sensitive to political importunities, not to retain, outside of Kansas, the Kansas troops if he could possibly avoid it, there had been more or less of rancor between him and them.  His opinion of them was that they were a “humbug” [Ibid., vol. viii, 661].]

[Footnote 250:  Almost simultaneously, Schofield was given independent command in Missouri, a similar surrender to local political pressure.]

[Footnote 251:  Official Records, vol. xiii, 368-369.]

General Orders, HDQRS.  DEPARTMENT OF KANSAS,
No. 2.  Fort Leavenworth, Kans., May 5, 1862.

I. General Orders, No. 8, dated Headquarters District of Kansas, April 25, 1862, is hereby rescinded.

II.  The instructions issued by the Department at Washington to the colonels of the two Indian regiments ordered to be raised will be fully carried out, and the regiments will be raised with all possible speed.

By order of Brig.  Gen. James G. Blunt,[252]

THOS.  MOONLIGHT, Captain
and Assistant Adjutant-general.[253]

The full extent, not only of Sturgis’s failure to cooeperate with the Indian Office, but also of his intention utterly to block the organization of the Indian Expedition, is revealed in a letter[254] from Robert W. Furnas, colonel commanding the First Regiment Indian Home Guards, to Dole, May 4, 1862.  That letter best explains itself.  It was written from Leroy, Kansas, and reads thus: 

    Disclaiming any idea of violating “Regulations” by an “Official
    Report” to you, permit me to communicate certain facts extremely
    embarrassing, which surround the Indian Expedition.

In compliance with your order of Ap’l 5th.  I reported myself “forthwith” to the U.S. mustering officer at Ft.  Leavenworth and was “mustered into the service” on the 18th. of April.  I “awaited the orders from Genl Halleck” as directed but rec’d none.  On the 20th.  Ap’l I rec’d detailed

[Footnote 252:  The promotion of Blunt to a brigadier-generalship had caused surprise and some opposition.  Referring to it, the Daily Conservative, April 12, 1862, said, “Less than three months ago Mr. Lincoln informed a gentleman from this State that no Kansas man would be made a Brigadier ’unless the Kansas Congressional delegation was unanimously and strenuously in his favor’ ...  Either the President has totally changed his policy or Lane, Pomeroy and Conway are responsible for this most unexpected and unprecedented appointment ...”]