252 cient and adequate force of the general govrment, an abandon- ment of their homes and property may be confidently looked for and result in the most irreparable injury to our citizens of the frontier, I therefore take the liberty of addressing you as the commander of this military deptmt. trusting in the hope that you will give such order and direction to the force under your com- mand as may best be calculated to arest the threatened evils and quiet the alarm and apprehension of the exposed settlements In connexion with this subject I beg leave respectfully to suggest and through you to the Depmnt at Washington the expe- diency of making a campaign against the Indians during the en- suing fall and winter. The experience of Indian warfare has from the only safe and certain method of reducing them to subjection and then by ensuring a lasting peace, is to pursue and punish them in their own country and drive them from their hiding places. If this has allways been so the reasons are fourfold in its favor in controlling the wild and roving Comanches who imag- ines himself secure; who commits his depredations to day and to morrow or in a few hours sets at defiance all pursuers in tra- versing the trackless deserts which he inhabits and known to him alone, The desert plains however are not habitable in winter, there are necessarily certain districts to which they must resort and take up their temporary abode during the colder winter months, It is in these strong holds that these women and chil- dren are stationed especia1ly during the more inclement seasons of the year and there that they should be attacked in order to make an effective campaign against them, I am strongly inclined to the opinion that the most certain and effective if not the only manner of affording any thing more than nominal and temporary protection to the lives and property of the frontier Citizens is to pursue and attack them in their places of temporary abode and by breaking up their lodges reduce them to the necessity of making peace and setting down under govrment protection and authority or; of meeting starvation and death on the plains. I am fully aware that under the former regulations of the department the course indicated cannot be pursued without addi- tional latitude and discretion should be confided to the command- ing officer. In conclusion I beg leave to add that I shall forward a copy of communication, to Washington & at the same time would ask your cooperation in obtaining from the authorities at that place such powers as may be deemed neecssary to effect all object
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