BOONEVILLE, COLO. TER., May 29, 1864.
Hon. JOHN EVANS,
           Governor, &c.:
    SIR: May I beg of you, in behalf of my own family and others in this settlement, if not incompatible with the public interest, to allow the present military or an adequate force to remain at Camp Fillmore for defense of our border. It is at this point the Indians cross to and from the Ute fights, and it is here that women have been

grossly abused, cattle killed, farmers driven from their lands, and fear and danger have run riot. Had I the honor of Colonel Chivington's acquaintance I would write him, but Shoup advises me to lay the matter before you, and views it as I do, a matter of importance. Leaving my family here alone, as I am forced to, I am in constant dread that they may be abused by the Indians that pass and repass at this season of the year. I am not naturally timid, nor would I thus plead did I not know whereof I affirm. In this I am expressing the views of the whole settlement, and I am, faithfully, yours,
                                                    H. M. FOSDICK.

                       HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT OF COLORADO,
                                               Denver, Colo. Ter., June 3, 1864.
Gov. JOHN EVANS,
        Territory of Colorado:
    GOVERNOR: I am in receipt of your letter of this date, inclosing letter of Mr. Fosdick, on subject of protection from apprehended Indian troubles on the Arkansas River, near Booneville, in reference to which I now have the honor to state in this formal manner the same I have verbally mentioned to you, that as a soldier I am compelled to obey the orders of my superior officers. These orders are to concentrate all my available forces on the extreme southeast corner of this district, from which you will readily perceive, what I write with regret, that I cannot comply with the above-named request.
    Since my assuming the command here it has always been my aim to protect all our population from all possible danger, and from the orders under which I am acting, part of which are above quoted, you will readily see that I cannot keep the company now in the neighborhood of Booneville at its present station and obey my orders to send it to the extreme southeast part of the district. I inclose herewith copy of a letter from Lieutenant Shoup, commanding Camp Fillmore, which may serve to show you that there is not all the cause to fear that Mr. Fosdick apprehends. Yet, sir, believe me I am not insensible to the hourly danger of our outsettlements from the Indians, and shall always, as heretofore, do all in my power to protect them.
    I am, Governor, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
                                              J. M. CHIVINGTON,
        Colonel First Cavalry of Colorado, Commanding District.

CAMP FILLMORE, COLO. TER., May 30, 1864.

    SIR: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 27th instant, with instructions not to break camp, to send detachment on scout, &c., all of which will be promptly and strictly executed. Since sending you the extract taken from Major Wynkoop's letter, I have seen and conversed with Mrs. D. J. Hayden, of Pueblo, and Mrs. A. M. Robb, of the Huerfano, who have just arrived from the State by the Arkansas route, and who state that they were escorted from Fort Larned to Fort Lyon by Lieutenant Eayre. Lieutenant E. informed them that when within one day's march of Larned he was attacked by the Cheyenne Indians, had a running fight for 7 or 8 miles, had 3 or 4 killed; thinks that many of the Indians

were killed, including one of the chiefs; also, that three trains have been robbed of all their animals by the Indians, and a man on the Big Bend on the Arkansas, who had a squaw for his wife, has lost all of his stock, the Indians making him ride off one of his own animals. Several other ranches are said to be robbed on the kansas frontier. Surely this looks like trouble. Now these fellows will get all the fighting they want. I believe there are no Indians in this locality at present, but will send out the party of 15 men to see if there are any bands spying around.
    I am, sir, with great respect, your obedient servant,
                                                          GEO. L. SHOUP,
    First Lieutenant, First Cav. of Colo., Commanding Camp Fillmore.

    P. S.-Since writing the above, Lieutenant Eayre has arrived at this camp and confirmed all I have written. He will be in Denver in four days; will give you all the particulars in detail on his arrival.
                                                                          SHOUP.

Source:

United States. War Dept., United States. Record and Pension Office., United States. War Records Office., et al., "Red River Campaign," The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies. Prepared by The late Lieutenant Colonel Robert N. Scott, Third U. S. Artillery. Published Under the Direction of the Honorable Redfield Proctor, Secretary of War. By Major George B. Davis, U. S. Army, Mr. Leslie J. Perry, Mr. Joseph W. Kirkley, Board of Publication. Series I-Volume XXXIV-In Four Parts. Part IV-Correspondence, Etc. Washington: Government Printing Office. 1891. pp. 206-208.