Post by markland on Aug 19, 2007 9:06:28 GMT -6
This letter is from the Fort Hays, KS Letters Sent NARA microfilm series T713.
The subject of the letter must be one of the Washita captives and GAC did state that he had retrieved two white children. Another letter indicates one child was returned to the Indians but whether this one or the other, I have no idea.
Billy
To the A. A. Genl.
Dept. of the Mo.
Fort Leavenworth Kansas
Sir,
I have the honor to report that I have had taken from among the Indian prisoners at this Post and placed in the Post Hospital, one white child apparently about two years of age.
Said child is, in my opinion the son of white parents. The color of his hair is light, his features and complection [sic] indicate very strongly that he belongs to the white race.
The Indians assert that he is a quarterbreed but from their cruel treatment of him, I judge he would have been one of their captives or the child of some settler. His health is much impaired owing to this improper treatment.
His history is and must be a mystery. While he remained with the Indians, he was placed in the most exposed part of their quarters and his food and clothing taken from him and thrown away.
I would earnestly recommend that in view of these facts, he be sent Gov’t Hospital or asylum and where he can receive proper care and [attentn?], as if he is compelled to remain with the savages, he will undoubtedly die from exposure and ill-treatment.
I have the honor to remain &c.
N. A. Miles
Col. & [Bvt. Maj. Gen.?]
The subject of the letter must be one of the Washita captives and GAC did state that he had retrieved two white children. Another letter indicates one child was returned to the Indians but whether this one or the other, I have no idea.
Billy
Headqrs. Fort Hays Kansas
April 30th 1869
April 30th 1869
To the A. A. Genl.
Dept. of the Mo.
Fort Leavenworth Kansas
Sir,
I have the honor to report that I have had taken from among the Indian prisoners at this Post and placed in the Post Hospital, one white child apparently about two years of age.
Said child is, in my opinion the son of white parents. The color of his hair is light, his features and complection [sic] indicate very strongly that he belongs to the white race.
The Indians assert that he is a quarterbreed but from their cruel treatment of him, I judge he would have been one of their captives or the child of some settler. His health is much impaired owing to this improper treatment.
His history is and must be a mystery. While he remained with the Indians, he was placed in the most exposed part of their quarters and his food and clothing taken from him and thrown away.
I would earnestly recommend that in view of these facts, he be sent Gov’t Hospital or asylum and where he can receive proper care and [attentn?], as if he is compelled to remain with the savages, he will undoubtedly die from exposure and ill-treatment.
I have the honor to remain &c.
N. A. Miles
Col. & [Bvt. Maj. Gen.?]