completion of the first regiment gave little concern.  It was composed of Creeks and Seminoles, eight companies of the former and two of the latter.  The second regiment was miscellaneous in its composition and took longer to

[Footnote 272:  (cont.) as promised, and four companies of Osages, which the chiefs say they can raise, I think we shall succeed.

Two Regiments of white troops and Rabb’s Battery have already started and are down by this time in the Cherokee Nation.  Col.  Doubleday, who is in command, has notified the officers here to prepare with all possible despatch, for marching orders.  We are looking for Aliens Battery here this week and if it comes I hope to make considerable addition to the Army from the loyal Refugee Indians here, as they have great confidence in “them waggons that shoot,” this has been a point with them all the time.

We were still feeding those that are mustered in and shall I suppose have to do so until the requisitions arive.  The Dellawares and Shaw-nees also, I had to make arrangements to feed from the time of their arrival at the Sac and Fox Agency.  But from all the indications now we expect to see the whole Expedition off in ten days or two weeks.—­Coffin to Dole, June 4, 1862, Indian Office General Files, Southern Superintendency, 1859-1862, C 1661.

(b).

It has been some time since I wrote you and to fill my promise I again drop you a line.  I presume you feel a lively interest in whatever relates to the Indians.  The 1st.  Regt. is now mustered into the service and will probably to-day number something over a minimum Regt.  It is composed entirely of Creeks and Seminoles, eight companys of the former and two of the latter.

I have understood that the report of the Creek Agent gave the number of Creek men at 1990—­If this is a fact it is far from a correct statement—­The actual number of Creek men over 14 years of age (refugees) will not number over 900.  Some of these are unable to be soldiers.  The actual number of Seminoles (men) will not excede 300 over 14 years of age, many of them are old and disabled as soldiers.  Thus you will see that but one Regt. could be raised from that quarter.  You are aware that the Creeks and Seminoles speak one language nearly and are thus naturally drawn together and they were not willing to be divided.

The second regt. is now forming from the various other tribes and I have no doubt will be filled, it would have been filled long ago, but Col.  Ritchie did not repair here for a long time in fact not till after our Regt. was raised—­Adjutant Dole came here promptly to do his duty—­but in the absence of his Col. could not facilitate his regt. without assuming a responsibility that would have been unwise.  I regret that he could not have been placed in our regt. for he will prove a faithful and reliable officer and should I be transfered to (cont.)]

organize, largely because its prospective commander, Colonel John Ritchie, who had gone south to persuade the Osages to enlist,[273] was slow in putting in an appearance at Humboldt.  The Neosho Agency, to which the Osages belonged, was in great confusion, partly due to