From: JOHN W.T. GARDINER
To: His older brother Hal Gardiner who had married Miss Fenwick Jones of Georgia.
Date: Jan 22nd, 1846
Context: Written from Camp Boone, Beattle' Prairie Near Maysville Ark. The Mr. Evans referred to is doubtless Senator Evans , the father of Captain George Frederick Evans, a young West Pointer in the 1st Dr agoons.
Dear Hal,
I do not know exactly where you are, but I take it for granted that you are somewhere in Georgia, and accordingly I amgoing to try to get a letter to you.
We left Washita, most unexpectedly, on the 27th of November, in consequence of the troubles in the Cherokee nationbetween the "Ross party" and the "Old settlers" and "treaty party" who make common cause against the Rossites.The Ross party are a majority of the nation, and for a long time the minority have complained of being oppressed, and apparently with some reason. The recent outbreak took its rise in the.murder of certain persons, {relations of some noted outlaws and horse thieves) who were accused of harboring their outlawed relatives. I believe that in thefirst instance the murders were committed without reference to party, but in the same spirit in which they occasionally "Regulate" in Arkansas, but as the murdered men were all of the minority and those who killedthem of the Ross party it was immediately made a party matter. Some hundreds of the old settlers and Treaty partyfled into the state in dread of their lives, and about thirty or forty under Stand Watie took possession of Fort Waynewhich was abandoned by government in 1842. Stand Watie now has somewhat over a hundred men. He maintains apretty good discipline over them, mountsa guard, and even drills them. We are encamped within three hundred yards of him and see him frequently. Both parties have sent delegations to Washington {the Ross delegation wenton some time since, the other a few days ago) and are now watching each other and waiting till they hear forCongress. The minority wish to leave the country, and go to Texas, and if they can get a grant of land in Texas I believe everything will be settled quietly.
our march from Washita to Gibson was very severe, the day we got to Gibson the thermometer was at +8*, and it hadbeen at O*. We marched a great part of the way over prairie with a north wind in our teeth; We were sent fromWashita here a distance of more than 220 miles, while there were four companies of Infantry at Gibson, within sixty miles of the disturbance, not one of which companies has been moved. I have been on this frontier five years, and during that time the whole field duty has been done by my regiment, not a single infantry company has beenmoved, except to change its station from one post to another. Yet many people talk of the expense of dragoons, and the economy of infantry. When we move we transport ourselves, the infantry generally are carried on steamboats at a great expense. I see that it is proposed to raise a new mounted force. I have written to Mr. Evans to assist me in procuring a commission, and if you have any political friends I hope you will make interest for me. I left West Point in 1840 and have been almostconstantly on duty with my regiment since that time. I have declined three offers of transfer in the Artillery and oneopportunity to go on duty at West Point. I am now first for promotion to a first lieutenancy, and have reason tobelieve that I shall be promoted within a few months in my own regiment. I have been along the whole frontierfrom Council Bluffs to Red river, I think therefore that I have some claim for a captaincy or at least a high first lieutenancy in a new regiment. Should there be a dragoon and a rifle regiment both raised I should much preferthe dragoons, but I will go anywhere for rank. It is the only reward we have in our profession, and there will be so manycitizen appointments in a new regiment that promotion must be rapid for a year or two. I have not heard from home for a· long time, but hope there are some letters fo:r me on the road. I hope that your £lour mi11 has succeeded, and that 1t may be a beginning of better days for William Vaughan who Nellie w:rote me ls engaged with you and Francis.
Have you made any of contemplated improvements at the cottage, by moving the stable etc. I wish you could coax Tarbox out of a little land, and then build on the east side of the hill in the old horse pasture. It is a beautiful place, and one I believe that you and Fenwick both admire. I suppose that I should hardly know Francis' place now. My favorite castle in the air is the hope of some day or other being able to come and live among you all at home, and be the oracle on the subject of trees, horses, and dogs. Will you have a spare room for a greyheaded old veteran with perhaps a leg or an arm missing?
Best love to Fenwick.
Your brother
J. W. T. Gardiner
P.S . Address me at "Fort Gibson G.N . Ark." as our stay here is uncertain and wherever we may be our letters willbe sent from Gibson. The pencil you and Fenwick gave me, has been invaluable particularly on this last march.
