St. Louis, Nov. 24.--The following intelligence comes from Washington in special telegrams to both the Republican and Democrat. In view of the well known present condition of things on the plains, and the preparations of Gen. Sheridan for an authorized expedition against the Indians, it may well be considered as somewhat singular news: The Commissioner of Indian affairs is in receipt of letters from Government officers in the West, which give rise to apprehensions of serious troubles on the plains.
    In September last, Gen. W. B. Hazen was ordered by Lieut. Gen. Sherman to Fort Cobb, in the Indian country, to represent the Indian Peace Commissioners in that quarter, and carry out its policy in reference to the Southern Indians, particularly those of the Kiowa, Camanche, Arrapahoe, Apache and Cheyenne tribes, who were disposed to remain at peace and go upon the reservations set apart for them by the Peace Commissioners. Agents Wyncoop and Boone had been sent to the same place, by the Secretary of the Interior, to co-operate with Gen. Hazen in the work of collecting these Indians, and protecting and subsisting them during their transfer from a hunting to a pastoral and agricultural life. The Indians in answer to the demands made upon them, are moving, in considerable numbers, towards Fort Cobb. At the same time volunteers are raised from Kansas, Colorado, and New Mexico. Of the latter there are three hundred Ute Indians, the inveterate enemies of the plains Indians. These volunteers are determined to kill the Indian wherever and whenever found. They are contemplating, it is said, even a massacre of them at Fort Cobb, where they are under the protection of our Government. Gen. Sheridan is supposed to have gone South to the vicinity of Fort Cobb to assume command in person. It will depend wholly on him whether or not an attack will be made on these Indians who are depending on us for safety. Commissioner Taylor submitted these letters to the Secretary of the Interior with a request to do all in his power to prevent another massacre, and remove all possibilities of such a calamity.

Source:

Unknown, "The Indian War Muddle", The Daily Kansas State Journal, Lawrence, Kansas, Wednesday Morning, 25 November 1868, Vol. IV, No. 112, p. 1, col. 5.