Beschreibung:

Title: SOLD BY PRIVATE TREATY Autograph Letter Signed by Major Daniel Ketchum, to Indian Agent Benjamin O’Fallon, in response to questions about the Arikara Expedition of 1823 Author: Ketchum, Daniel Place: Fort Atkinson [in present Nebraska] Publisher: Date: 18th July 1824 Description: 1¼ pp., in ink, on 4-page stampless letter, addressed on p.4. Quarto. Major Daniel Ketchum responds to questions regarding the Arikara (a.k.a. Missouri) expedition of the preceding year. A force of men led by Joshua Pilcher, head of the Missouri Fur Company, joined the Sixth U.S. Infantry detachment under Henry Leavenworth, and one of the results was the burning of an Arikara village by Pilcher’s men, which caused great controversy and a drawn-out investigation. In part: “…I have seen a copy of your instructions to Mr. Pilcher relative to his cooperation with the troops in the movement against the Arickaras and do not myself construe them in any other light than to have promoted the welfare of the expedition. What construction Mr. Pilcher may have put on them I know not… Mr. Pilcher had joined the expedition together with all the disposable force of the Missouri Fur Company, amounting to as near as I can recollect, to about 40 men… and had succeeded in obtaining the services of one or two bands of Sioux Indians… and furnished them all with Powder, Ball &c., and when the troops were organized for the attack Mr. Pilcher had the immediate command of all the Indian forces and preceded the troops, composed of the Whites, when the attack was made when I arrived with the main body of the Regiment his command was handsomely engaged with the enemy. I did not see any part of Mr. Pilcher’s conduct but what was calculated to promote the views of the commanding officer…” Provenance: Descended in the Benjamin O’Fallon family. Lot Amendments Condition: Overall in fine condition. Item number: 220174