HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT OF COLORADO,
                                      Denver, Colo., July 13, 1863.
Major General JOHN M. SCHOFIELD,
        Commanding Department of the Missouri, Saint Louis, Mo.:
    GENERAL: I have the honor to forward herewith copies of orders and instructions from these headquarters relating to the Indian expedition sent from here in aid of General Connor; also the order for the return of said troops. I also forward copy of the orders directing Major Wynkoop, commanding the expedition to proceed against the Indians, and of his instructions, and of copies of letters which prompted the issue of said orders. I hope my action in this matter may meet your approval.
        I am, with much respect, your obedient servant,
                                       J. M. CHIVINGTON,
                               Colonel, Commanding District of Colorado.

                                  HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT OF COLORADO,
                                      Denver, Colo., June 30, 1863.
Major E. W. WYNKOOP,
        Comdg. Indian Expedition on Overland Mail Route, Colorado:
    SIR: In addition to the orders you have heretofore received, the colonel commanding directs me to say that he desires you to prohibit all persons whomsoever from accompanying your command except your officers, non-commissioned officers, and privates, who have been regularly detached as your command, the servants of officers, persons regularly employed in the quartermaster's and commissary departments, your guide, and such officers of other corps and personal friends as you may desire to accompany you; and it is particularly enjoined that no camp followers, except the regular sutler, be allowed to traffic with teamsters or soldiers, and no wagon-master, in the employ of the quartermaster's or commissary departments, will be allowed to trade with ranches, Indians, or soldiers, nor will wagon-masters or others, in such employ, be allowed to take and keep with your command any animals of any kind whatever. And you will cause all persons accompanying your com-

mand, and in the employ of the quartermaster's and commissary departments, and your guides to take and subscribe to the accompanying oath of allegiance to the Government of the United States (marked A),* and you will promptly discharge all who hesitate in the least about taking said oath, taking their names and description, noting the fact that they would not willingly and cheerfully take the oath, and they will not hereafter be employed in any of the departments of this district.
    You will proceed to Camp Collins, where you will be joined by Companies B and M, First Colorado Cavalry, and your command will be joined by Company I, First Colorado Cavalry, as soon as it can be fitted out for the field. With your command thus constituted you will proceed west, on the Overland Stage Route, as far as Fort Bridger, and chastise any Indians who may have committed depredations on either the ranches or emigrants. You will not report your command for duty to General Connor, but will co-operate with him in any way that may be for the good of the service and the safety of settlers and travelers on the overland line, and especially for the security of the mail line to and from the Pacific States. You will report all to these headquarters.
    The other interests of the district permitting, the colonel will join your command in about ten days, and in the mean time (and whether the colonel joins your command or not) he has full confidence that you will manage the expedition for the best interests of the service and the reputation, honor, and glory of the First Colorado Cavalry.
    You will make a small detail in charge of a trusty non-commissioned officer, and leave them in charge of the Government property at Camp Collins.
        With sentiments of the highest respect, your obedient servant,
                                                           S. S. SOULE,
    First Lieutenant First Colorado Cavalry, and Actg. Asst. Adjt. General.

    P. S.-The administering the oath had better be delayed until you reach Camp Collins, for the reason that your train is now so scattered.

                                                LATHAM, July 10, 1863.
Colonel J. M. CHIVINGTON:
    DEAR SIR: Inclosed find a letter from J. H. Jones to me. Please give it your attention.
                                                DAVID JOHNS,
                                       Division Agent Overland Stage Line.

        P. S.-Mr. Jones is our agent at Fort Halleck, and also sutler for the United States.

                                                 FORT HALLECK, July 7, 1863.
D. JOHNS, Esq., Division Agent:
    DEAR SIR: I regret to inform you that night before last the Indians stole all the horses at Cooper Creek, but did not take any mules. I notify you of this for fear that Mr. Taylor, the station keeper, may not do it. I suggest that you bring several bell horses with you, as you know how difficult it is to keep the mules without a bell horse.
    Day before yesterday afternoon the Indians visited Medicine Bow Station, and took all the provisions that they had at the station, and
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then stripped Hazard and Nicholls of their shirts and cravats, &c., and left without taking any animals. Captain [A.] Allen sent out 75 men in pursuit of the Indians, who overtook them 18 miles from here, where a battle is now going on. How it will terminate I cannot say; 3 wounded men have been brought in; one will die.
    We will try and keep the coaches running until you come up with the stock, though the drivers and stock-tenders complain a good deal. I forgot to say that the Ute Indians have with them some 250 head of horses, stolen within 18 miles of Fort Laramie. They stole 211 from old man Richard (called Reshaw).
        Yours, truly,
                                                     J. H. JONES,
                                                             Agent.

                                                  VIRGINIA DALE, July 10, 1863.
Mr. JOHNS:
    SIR: The stock at Rock Creek was stolen by the Indians yesterday. They stole the mules, and shot the bell mare three times. The women are all coming down here to-day.
        Yours,
                                                                  F. VAN HORN.
    Van Horn is our agent at Virginia Dale.
                                                               DAVID JOHNS,
                                              Division Agent, Overland Stage Line.

                                    HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT OF COLORADO,
                                              Denver, Colo., July 10, 1863.
Major E. W. WYNKOOP,
        Comdg. Indian Expedition on Overland Stage Route, Colorado:
    SIR: Information has incidentally been received at these headquarters that Indians have recently been depredating on the overland line, this side of Fort Halleck, and the colonel commanding directs that Major [E. W.] Wynkoop, with the forces comprising the Indian expedition, go into camp at Collins, or west of there, and that a sufficient force be sent to chastise the guilty party. Great caution should be observed not to get into trouble with any party of Indians who are peacefully disposed. Major Wynkoop will be careful to make timely requisition for the wants of the command.
        I am, with much respect, your obedient servant,
                                                            S. S. SOULE,
                                First Lieutenant and Assistant Adjutant-General.

                                                 HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT OF COLORADO,
                                                               Denver, Colo., July 11, 1863.
Major E. W. WYNKOOP,
        Comdg. Indian Expedition on Overland Stage Line, Colorado:
    MAJOR: It has incidentally come to the knowledge of the colonel commanding that "Friday" and a large number of Cheyenne and Arapaho braves are at Camp Collins, on the war-path against the Utes, or that they intend to follow your command for the purpose of plunder. This you will not allow, nor on any account whatever will they be permitted to go into the mountains while your command is in pursuit of the Utes.

You had better leave one company at Camp Collins, and take the other four in pursuit of the Utes. A company will be sent to the Middle Park, who will look out for the Utes there, if they move in that direction.
        I am, with much respect, your obedient servant,
                                                           S. S. SOULE,
                    First Lieutenant and Acting Assistant Adjutant-General.

                                               LATHAM, July 11, 1863.
[Colonel J. M. CHIVINGTON:]
    COLONEL: Mr. Johns, division agent, sends this to you, asking aid. Lieutenant [Hugh H.] Williams is reported here killed in the fight. Our troops reported at Collins. There is a chance for a fight.
                                                        J. S. FILLMORE,
                                              Paymaster United States Army.

Source:

United States. War Dept., United States. Record and Pension Office., United States. War Records Office., et al., "Little Rock," The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies. Prepared Under the Direction of the Secretary of War, by The late Lieutenant Colonel Robert N. Scott, Third U. S. Artillery, Published Under the Supervision of Lieutenant Colonel Henry M. Lazelle, Twenty-third U. S. Infantry. Pursuant to Acts of Congress. Series I-Volume XXII-In Two Parts. Part II-Correspondence. Washington: Government Printing Office. 1888. pp. 368-371.