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The following letters are among those written by John Tipton and located in the National Archives (Special Files of the Office of Indian Affairs. M 574, roll 14). They were printed out and presented for our use on this site by Tom Ford. The Indiana State Historical Society has preserved 3 volumes of Tipton letters. Contact them for more information. Or contact the the Fulton County Historical Society, Rochester IN.
(copy)
Chippewa, 10 OCLOCK P.M.
August 28, 1838
[Editor's note: the salutation on this letter was omitted from the copy.]
In accordance with the authority vested in me by a communication from your Excellency, dated 27th August authorizing me to accept the Services of an hundred volunteers to prevent difficulties between the inhabitants of the State and the Pottawatamie Indians, this morning I made it known to the Militia of Cass and Miami Counties that volunteers would be accepted and directed to march by Squads in route to this place. I left Logansport at 1 O'Clock this evening. The Volunteers from Miami have stopped at Rochester for refreshment. From the number passed on my route hither, and those at present with me, I entertain no doubts that the force will be Sufficient, and that the objects of your Excellency's communication will be fully accomplished.
I shall proceed immediately to organize and move north at 2 O'Clock tomorrow morning.
His Excellency
Gov. Wallace
(copy)
Michigan Road 4 miles below Plymouth,
August 29, 1838
General Order:
The Volunteers now here will be divided into five detachments, and placed under the command of Gen. Grover, Capt. Holman, Lieut's Lasselle and Nash, and Ensign B. H. Smith. Gen. Grover will at precisely half past 11 O'Clock, take a position in Pe-pen-eh-nou's village, South west of the chapel. Capt. Holman will at the same time station his command a half mile South of the Chapel. Lieut Lasselle will, with his detachment, occupy the Indian Village South East of the church. Lieut. Nash, north-east, near Me-no-minee's village. Ensign Smith will Station his command north-west, and distant half a mile from the Chapel, while it is confidently believed that a corps of volunteers from La- Porte will Station themselves on the north, and co-operate with us.
Every officer and soldier will do his duty promptly and vigilantly. No violence will be offered to the poor deluded Pottawatamies, unless they resort to open hostilities, and Shed blood. We must compel them to a proper observance of the Treaties they have entered into with the United States, and protect our citizens from difficulty with the Indians--peaceably if we can, forcibly if we must.
An Interpreter will accompany each detachment and tell the Indians to remain quietly in their Cabins, and conform to their Treaties with the United States, and they shall be protected from abuse.
John Tipton
Conductor
(copy)
Head Quarters, Twin Lakes,
Aug. 31, 1838
His Excel'cy David Wallace.
Sir:
In pursuance of the authority in me vested by your letter of the 27th inst, authorizing me to accept the Service of one hundred volunteers, to prevent difficulty between the Citizens of the United States and the Pottawatamies Indians, I have accepted the Service of a number of volunteers, and have organized them for Service. David Evans has been appointed Major; N. D. Grover, E. A. Hannegan, and Joseph Holman, Captains; S. Lasselle and James Nash are appointed 1st, and Samuel b. Linton, 2nd Lieutenants; Wm Wilson, Washington Holman, and Charles McClure Ensigns; Job. B. Eldridge, Lieutenant, and Benj. H. Smith, Ensign of volunteer Dragoons.
I respectfully request your Excellency to cause them to be Commissioned accordingly.
I have the honor to be your most ob't Servant,
John Tipton
(copy)
Head Quarters Twin Lakes,
Aug. 31, 1838
Sir---
In the line which I had the honor to address you from Chippewa on the 28th inst. I informed your Excellency of my intention to leave there the next morning. Accordingly at three O'Clock we were in our Saddles, and reached this place at half past eleven the same morning.
When I arrived, I found Col. Pepper in Council with a number of the Chiefs and principal men of the Pottawatamies east of the Mississippi. I explained the object for which the volunteers were Sent to the village. They made a brief but indefinite reply--could give no Satisfactory reason for the assault committed on the houses of this vicinity a few days ago--complained of the whites having burned their cabins etc etc. In fact, they displayed no disposition either of a hostile character or of a wish to leave the Reservation. One Said he intended to remain on it.
There are now in camp near two hundred persons, and judging from the disposition manifested to-day, I have but little doubt of accomplishing the wishes of your Excellency without bloodshed or difficulty.
I have the honor to be with great respect
John Tipton
His Excellency
Gov. Wallace
(copy)
Encampment Twin Lakes
10 OClock, P M. Sept 2. 1838.
Sir:
My letter of the 31st of last month informed you of passing events Since the march of the volunteers. On yesterday and today a number of Pottawatamies with their families and property came into camp and evinced a disposition to Cease quarrelling with the Settlers of the Reservation and go West of the Mississippi.
Agreeably to the provisions of the treaties existing between the United States and these unhappy people, at 2 O'Clock this evening I commenced enrolling them, to prepare for their emigration, and before Sunset had succeeded in enrolling upwards of Seven hundred men, women and children.
I expect a few more families in to-morrow, and as Soon as they are enrolled and their property loaded in wagons, they will Set out on their journey west.
Your most ob't Servt
John Tipton
His Excellency
David Wallace
(copy)
Twin Lakes Encampment:
10 O'Clock, P M. 3rd Sept. 1838
Sir:
My letter of last night informed you of the number of Indians
then in camp and enrolled. In addition to that number forty seven have come in
to-day. Early this morning we commenced loading the baggage etc. belonging to
the Indians, and have loaded all their property in Some thirteen wagons. This
evening we collected the horses, and Succeeded in getting together Some
hundreds. I expect to leave Camp to-morrow as Soon as we Can get fairly
under way, and have Some hopes of being joined on our route by Small parties of
Indians yet remaining on the Tippecanoe. Everything Seems to justify the belief that these unhappy
people will yet learn to appreciate the interest which government has ever
manifested in this affair, and teach themselves that a willing compliance to
Such interest, will but Secure the comfort and enjoyment which for years they
have failed to experience in Indiana. Your ob't Servant. His Excellency
John Tipton
David Wallace
(copy)
Michigan Road near Plymouth
Sept 4. 1838
General Order:
The object for which the Volunteers were called into Service, having been partly accomplished, the undersigned tenders to Capt Hannegan and his company a discharge from further duty upon this expedition.
In taking leave of the La-Porte Volunteers, it affords him the highest Satisfaction to Say that they have, upon every occasion, acted with that Zeal, efficiency and promptitude, which ever characterize good Soldiers. Their conduct upon every occasion met his entire approbation, and entitles them to the thanks of their country.
John Tipton
(copy)
Chippewa Sir: Early yesterday morning I gave orders to prepare for leaving
Twin Lakes Encampment. Between three and four hundred horses were brought off
an island in the Lake, where I had placed them the previous evening; they were
caught and prepared for the journey, and we left the encampment and reached this
place by Sunset--a distance of twenty one miles. I was joined by a few families of Indians on our march hither,
Swelling outnumber to Eight hundred Indians. Information has reached me that
Forty or Fifty more intended to join us to day between Tippecanoe and Eel River.
Nothing has transpired to change the opinion, more than once
given to you that everything will be accomplished which your Excellency or the
people can have wished. Your obt Servant Gov. Wallace
1 O'Clock P.M. Sept. 5th, 1838
John Tipton
(copy)
Mud Creek Encampment
8 O'Clock PM. Sept. 5th 1838
Sir:
My letter of this morning informed you of our march from Me- no-mi-nee's village on Yellow river to Chippewa on Tippecanoe, with upwards of Seven hundred Pottawatamies. I neglected to mention that the Chief San-ga-mon was left at Twin Lakes Encampment, to nurse two of his children, who were very Sick--he with the balance of his family, in all thirteen Souls, was furnished with provisions, and are to follow his friends as Soon as the Sick can travel to the west.
At nine this morning we left our Encampment at Chippewa, on the Tippecanoe river, but owing to the failure of the contractors to furnish the means of transportation, was compelled to leave behind me forty two Sick and eleven well persons for want of the means of conveyance--Judge Polk is engaged in bringing them on.
This numerous party of Indians now moving west, have but two hundred and eighty horses of their own, Many of their women and old men marched on foot yesterday. We marched nine miles to day, and have encamped to await the arrival of those whose health will permit them to join us tonight, in the wagons which I have Sent for them.
I have heard of Several parties on their way to join us, Nine have already arrived in camp.
Your obt Servant
John Tipton
Gov. Wallace
(copy)
Encampment at Logansport.
Sept. 8th 1838
General Order:
The difficulty between the Citizens of the State and the Pottawatamie Indians being Settled, the commanding Officer feels himself at liberty to tender to the volunteers under the Command of Capt Holman, and Lieut Eldridge, a discharge from further Service from to-day.
The dragoons under Ensign B. H. Smith will be attached to Gen Grover's command and proceed with the emigrating Indians until further orders.
In taking a formal leave of the volunteers now being discharged, it affords the undersigned great pleasure to bear testimony to the Zeal and efficiency of the Services rendered by each and every officer and Soldier composing the detachments referred to. The Services rendered by them, entitle them to his entire approbation and thanks.
John Tipton
(copy)
Camp near Logansport.
10th Sept. 1838.
Sir,
The volunteers reached this on the afternoon of the 6th inst, with between Seven and Eight hundred Pottawatamie Indians, we have remained here three days, making arrangement to Send the Indians to their homes in the West under the U. S. Agents. One half the volunteers were discharged yesterday, the other half will accompany the Indians beyond the limits of the State.
At the close of this business the volunteers will be discharged, and a final report made.
I have the honor to be, with great respect
Your obt Servant
John Tipton
His Excellency
David Wallace
Indianapolis, IN
(copy)
Encampment near Danville, Ill.
16th Sept. 1838.
Sir:
We have conducted the Pottawatamies Indians 859 in number from Plymouth to this place, and will on to morrow deliver them to the U. States Agent Judge William Polke, who has recently been appointed to conduct them to their new homes in the West. He is organizing his party to take charge of the emigrants. He requests me to place at his disposal about twenty of the volunteers now under my command; the balance will be discharged in a day or two.
In a former letter I informed you of my proposition to Mr. Pettit a Catholic Priest, who formerly resided with these Indians at Twin Lakes, to accompany us west.---Mr P. arrived in Camp this afternoon, and reported to me his willingness to accept the invitation. This being the case the poor Pottawatamies leave their former abodes in Indiana, and journey west in fine spirits, and with fair prospects of future improvement and happiness.
His Excellency
Gov. Wallace
(copy)
Camp at Sandusky Point, Ill.
Sept. 20th 1838
General Order:
It is ordered that the Volunteers composing the command of Gen Grover, engaged in the removal of the Pottawatamie Indians from Indiana, take their discharge from this day; except fourteen Dragoons under ensign B. H. Smith, who are detailed to accompany the emigration conducted by Judge Wm Polke, to the Osage river in the western territory.
In taking leave of the Volunteers, the undersigned would do injustice to his own feelings, as well as to the patriotic Citizen soldiers lately under his command, Should he fail to express in ---- terms his approbation of the conduct of each officer and Soldier engaged in the expedition. their prompt obedience to orders was only equalled by their kind and humane treatment of the unfortunate people placed under their charge, for which they are entitled to the thanks of our country.
(two lines crossed out)
John Tipton
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nIshnabe'k The People bode'wadmimo speak Potawatomi mzenegenek books |
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Some Potawatomi land holdings, 1838
nizhokmake'wen resources/help Home Page: news & updates BWAKA - about us |