I have but 360 troops, but so long as human endurance holds out we will work night and day to get the communication perfect with the west.
Grenville Dodge
The Public Record
Grenville Mellen Dodge was a Union Army general on the frontier and a pioneering figure in military intelligence during the Civil War, who served as Ulysses S. Grant's intelligence chief in the Western Theater. He served in several notable assignments, including command of the XVI Corps during the Atlanta campaign.
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I predict that if more troops are not sent into this district immediately, this road will be stripped of every ranch and white man on it.
I have now a city organization of about 100 men organized into companies, so that in case of an attack here I would have something tangible to lay hold of and make a fight.
Militia companies are being organized all over the settled parts of the country (under penalty of being pressed into service) to defend the frontier settlements southward, and could I but get a Regiment here now I could keep things in a…
The Indians are now determined to make it a war of extermination, and nothing short of 5,000 men can make it extermination for them.
My experience on the North Route, with the reports from the troops and from my Indians, soon satisfied me that every Indian tribe of any importance from the British Possessions in the north to the Red River in the south, were preparing to…
These tribes often pretended to be friendly, deceiving the Government and the Indian agent, a crafty trick that was impossible to make the Government understand.
The Indians of the plains are the best skirmishers in the world.
In rapidity of movements, in perfect horsemanship, sudden whirling, protecting the body by clinging to the side of the horse, and rapid movements in open and difficult ground, no trained cavalry in the world can equal them.
On foot their ability to hide behind any obstruction, in ravine, along creeks, and under creek and river banks, and in fighting in the open plains or level ground, the faculty to disappear is beyond one's belief except he has experienced…
The Indian character is such that he will not stand continual following, pounding, and attacking.
Their life and methods are not accustomed to it, and the Indians can be driven by very inferior forces by continually watching, attacking, and following.
None of our campaigns have been successful that have not been prepared to follow the Indians day and night, attacking them at every opportunity until they are worn out, disbanded, or forced to surrender, which is the sure result of such a…
I never could convince them that I could not go to the telegraph poles the same as they did and tell them what was said, or send a message for them to some chief far away, as they had often seen me use my traveling-instrument and cut into…
I was supposed to be, by the Indians of the plains, a person of great power and great moment.
My own experience on the plains led me to be just as watchful and just as vigilant when I knew the Indians were not near me as I was when they were in sight.
That brought me respect in all my dealings with them, and I treated them with respect, courtesy, and consideration, and demanded the same from them.
This, no doubt, was one of the principal reasons that in fifteen years, more or less, of intercourse with them, traveling through their country both during the times they were hostile and at peace, that I escaped many of the misfortunes…
I desire very much to have peace with the Indians, but I do think we should punish them for what they have done, and that they should feel our power and have respect for us.
When we get down there if the Indians are so anxious for peace, they will have an opportunity to show it, and we can make an agreement with them that will stop hostilities until the properly authorized authorities conclude a lasting peace.
It must be evident to the Government that I cannot be making war on the Indians while other parties are at the same time making peace, as has been the case so far.
Whatever may be the desire of the Government, I will lend all my energies to carry it out and make every officer and man under me do the same.
I cannot approve the manner in which the Indians have been treated, and have no faith in them, nor will I allow such treatment as shown at the Big Sandy fight.
A large and effective cavalry force under a good commander must be sent here without delay, or the large number of trains now on the plains will be destroyed or captured.
In this battle Van Dorn had put twice as many men into the fight as Curtis did, and still was defeated.
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