Sixteen miles north of Omaha, at the present village of Fort Calhoun, on the site of the Council Bluff where Lewis and Clark first held council with the Indians in 1804, once stood Fort Atkinson, located in the year 1819, the first United States fort in Nebraska.
To this fort in the summer of 1823 came the news that a party of the Arikara had attacked General William H. Ashley's party of trappers, killing fourteen and wounding nine of them. Colonel Leavenworth, in command of the fort, started at once for the Arikara villages where he arrived August 8.
The following story of this war is taken from the original records of Fort Atkinson, as kept during the years 1819-1827, and now in bound volume & in the library of the State Historical Society.
The Indian Attack
On board the Keel Boat. rocky
Mountains 25 miles below the
Rickara towns, June 4th, 1823.
Dear sir:
On the morning of the 2d Inst. I was attacked by the Rickard indians, which terminated with great loss on my part - On my arrival there the 31 of May I was met verry friendly by some of the Chiefs, who expressed a great wish that I would stop and trade with them - Wishing to purchase horses to take a party of men to the Yellow Stone river, I agreed to Comply with their request ...
- The next morning, we commenced trading which continued until the Evening of the lst Inst when preparations were made for my departure early the next morning - My party consisted of 90 men, 40 of whom were selected to take charge of the horses and cross the country by land to the Yellow Stone. They were encamped on the beach within 40 yards of the Boats - About 1/2 past 3 aclock in the morning I was informed that One of my men had been Killed and in all probability the Boats would be immediately attacked - The men were all under Arms, and so Continued until sunrise, when the Indians Commenced a heavy and well directed fire from a line extending along the Picketing of their Towns, and some broken ground adjoining about 600 yards, in length, their shot were principally directed at the men on the beach, who were making use of the Horses as a breast work -
We returned the fire, but from the advantageous situation of the Indians done but little execution. . . . Two skiffs which would carry 30 men were taken ashore, but in consequence of a predetermination on the part of the men on land not to give way to the Indians as long as they could possibly do otherwise they (with the exception of 7 or 8 would not make use of the skiffs when they had an opportunity of doing so; in about fifteen minutes from the time the firing commenced, the surviving part of the men were embarked; nearly all of the horses killed or wounded one of the Anchors had been weighed the Cable of the other Cut and the Boats droping down the Stream. . . my loss in Killed and Wounded is as follows: [Here follows a list of twelve dead and eleven wounded.]
I do not conceive but two of the wounded in danger - How many of the Indians were Killed I am at a loss to say, I think not more than 7 or 8 four or five were seen to fall on the Beach - I have thout proper to communicate this affair as Early as an opportunity offered, believing that you would feel disposed to make those people account to the Government for the Outrage Committed - Should that be the case and a force sent for that purpose in a short time, You will oblige me much if you will send me an express at my expense if one call be procured, that I may meet and Co- operate with you - From the situation of the Indian Towns it will be difficult for a small force to dust (oust) them without a Six pounder the Towns are newly picketed in with timber from 6 to 8 inches thick 12 or 16 feet high, dirt in the inside thrown up about 18 inches high. They front the river, and immediately in front of them is a large Sand Bar forming nearly two thirds of a Sircle. at the head of which (when the river is very low) they have a Breast Work made of dry wood; the ground on the opposite side of the river is high and Commanding - They have about Six hundred Warriors, I suppose that 3/4 of them Armed with London Fuzils, others with Bows and Arrows, War Axes & C.
I expect to hear from Major Henry (to whom I sent an express) in 12 or 15 days during that time I shall remain between this place and the Auricara Towns not remaining any length of time in One place, as my force is small, not more than 23 effective men.
Your friend and Obt servt
W. H. Ashley.
Preparations To Move on Arikara Indians
Following are parts of four orders issued by Colonel Leavenworth at "Head Quarters 6th Infantry Fort Atkinson" June 18, 1823
Companies A, B, D, E, F, & G will be prepared as soon as possible to march at a moment's warning. . . The actg post Qr. Mr. will immediately engage the Keel Boat and her patron and as many of the efficient men with her as practicable.
June 19, 1823
Officers Commanding Companies ordered to be ready to march will have their Companies completely equipped and ready for inspection at four o'clock this afternoon when they will be paraded for that purpose.
June 20, 1823
It is indispensably necessary that every possible exertion should, be made to keep the men clean and to preserve their Soldierly appearance. . . .
Same date.
The boats going up the river will be designated as No. 1, No. 2. and No. 3. . . . The companies will take as many of their spades & axes as are fit for use...
H. Leavenworth, Col. Comdg.
The Battle
The command, comprising about 220 men, arrived before the Arikara villages on the 9th of August, having made the distance from Council Bluffs. 640 miles, in forty- eight days. It had been joined by Major Joshua Pitcher of the Missouri Fur Company with forty men, General William H. Ashley's force of about the same number, and some 500 Sioux, making it total force of about eight hundred men. Opposed to them there were about six hundred warriors in the two Arikara villages, and between three and four thousand individuals all told, - men, women and children.
The Sioux Indians were the first to meet the Arikara in combat and although they were reinforced by the whites. little was accomplished that day. The following morning the attack was opened by Lieutenant Morris with the artillery. His first shot killed the chief, Gray Eyes. After further shooting the first peace negotiations were entered upon. The Indians appeared penitent and made "fair promises," Colonel Leavenworth adds:
Considering my small force, the strange and unaccountable conduct of the Sioux, and even the great probability of their joining the Aricaras against us - And also considering the importance it of saving our Country the expense and trouble of a long Indian warfare; and the importance of securing thee safety of the Indian trade, I thought proper to accept the terms.
Before the Indians could be compelled to fulfill the conditions, they escaped from their villages, and the whites embarked for their return Journey at 10 A. M., August 15. Colonel Leavenworth reported that, "Before we were out of eight of the towns, we had the mortification to discover them to be on fire. There is no doubt that they have been consumed." The Colonel asserted that they were set on fire, through jealousy or spite by agents of the Missouri Fur Company. The true reason, probably, was chagrin because Colonel Leavenworth failed to do the very thing for which the expedition had been undertaken - severely punish the Arikara for their continuous assaults on white traders.
In the operations before the Arikara villages the whites lost none in killed and but two slightly wounded. The Sioux lost two killed and seven wounded. Colonel Leavenworth thought the Arikara loss amounted to fifty. The cost of the expedition was about $2,000 and the time consumed about seventy-five days. The experience of the troops on the long march and the knowledge it gave them of the country were among its most valuable results.
Return of Troops to Fort Atkinson
Aug. 29, 1823.
The Colo. Comdg. is happy to announce to his Command that the objects of the late expedition against the Aricara Indians have been effected. The blood of our Countrymen has been honorably avenged.
The Colo. Comdg. cannot dismiss this subject without again mentioning his very great satisfaction with the gallant and honorable conduct of General Ashley and his Brave and hardy little Corps of mountaineers. Although for several days entirely destitute of subsistence they persevered in "noble daring" without a murmur....The Colo. Comdg. only regrets that he can offer them nothing more substantial than his thanks.
H. Leavenworth,
Colo. Comdg.
