This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: Atkinson, Fields, Sioux, Pawnees, Kansas, Omahas, Poncas, Airakaras, Mandans Classification: Lookup Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/ok.2ADE/4241.4 Message Board Post: THE MISSOURI INTELLIGENCER. Franklin, Missouri. February 5, 1821.--(Extract of a letter from Brig. Gen. Atkinson to the Secretary of War, dated Franklin, October 18, 1820): "......I left Council Bluffs on the 1st inst., and came down the wagon road that Lt. Fields has opened with his command. We overtook him on Grand River abvout 40 miles above its mouth on the 10th inst., with his wagon team and party in good condition. As soon as I get his report on opening the road, it shall be forwarded to you, as shall the report and topographical sketch of Lt. Talcott of the route across to St. Peters. "The road is measured from The Bluffs to Chariton. The distance is about 250 miles. The distance across to St. Peters is estimated at 300 miles. From a belief that the Sac Indians are secretly hostile to the whites, I have deferred having the road country across country to Rock Island and Prairie du Chien explored at present. "The ague and fever have been prevalent at the post above for the last two months, but there is every reason to believe that it will soon disappear. Only one death has occurred amongst the troops from the 15th of April to the 1st inst., and that from a case of typhus. "The new barracks were in a state of forwardness on the 1st inst., indeed, most of the troops were quartered. Their rooms were put up with round logs and hewn down without and within. The whole of the infantry and one block of the rifle barracks are covered with shingles. Good brick chimneys were made to most of the rooms, and the residue, no doubt, completed by this time. The barracks are dry and comfortable, and will probably last some 15 years. A plan of their construction and of their defense shall be forwarded to you upon my arrival at St. Louis....... "....Our crops: Grasshoppers appeared in myriads the last week in August, and stripped the turnips of their leaves. They were so well grown, however, as to resuscitate measurably and will give half a crop........I understand that at Earl of Selkirk's establishment on the Red River, the two last crops have been entirely destroyed by them--meaning the grasshoppers...... "......In September there was assembled at one time at The Bluffs the Chiefs and head men of the three bands of the Pawnees, of the Kansas, of the Mahas, of the Poncas, of the three bands of the Yankton Sioux, of the Teton Sioux, and of the Sione Sioux, residing above the Great Bend--all of whom professed to be, etc., no doubt as friendly as could be wished. It is said the Airakaras who inhabit the country 150 miles below the Mandans speak lightly of the coming of the troops, and the friendly dispositions of the Mandans are also questioned. "While the above representatives of the above mention tribes were at The Bluffs, the brigrade was paraded for review, with two pieces of canon on the right supplied with horses and mounted artillerists. After the troops were reviewed in line and in passing, in common and quick time, they were carried through various evolutions and the artillery made to pass over the plains at the full speed of the horses. The display had the effect on the minds of the Indians that it was intended to inspire, which was most favorable as to the appearance and efficiency of the troops, and of the practicability of using canon with ease and with effect. -- The steamboat expedition was also putiln motion totheir great astonishment and admiration."-- (Signed) H. Atkinson, Brig. General, Commanding 9th, Military Department. N.B.: (1) It was said in November 1819 that Lt. Fields was laying out the road to Fort Atkinson, as this fort was later known. Now, in Feb. 1821, Gen. Atkinson says he is still working on it! (2). General Atkinson speaks of four military roads as being under consideration. It seems the one to present day Minneapolis had been started; the one between The Council Bluffs running eastward toward Rock Island, Illinois was delayed as was the one running northeastward to Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin.