day ... The detachment of the Fifth regiment, under Captain Pelham, is at Belle Fontaine. The part of it intended for the rifle regiment will be immediately transferred, and the remainder, with the detachment that accompanied my regiment, ordered up the Missouri, to join the Fifth." June 19. He is sorry that Johnson's steamboats have not all arrived. The Calhoun has not been heard from,8 but he will go in six or seven days "with the three steam boats and four of our keels". The troops are ready but it will require several days to reload the steamboats. Only a part of the provisions necessary had arrived. He will certainly establish himself at Council Bluffs this season and very possibly carry the Rifle regiment to the Mandan villages. He will not risk too much nor leave anything undone that can be prudently accomplished. Long's "exploring steamboat" will start tomorrow--June 20. St. Charles, July 11. After exerting himself for more than a month he was not able to get from Johnson sufficient provisions to justify the movement until the second of July. Immediately on receipt of provisions he ordered the troops (the Sixth regiment) to embark, four companies on the three steamboats and four on keels started on the fourth and fifth. The keels made fine progress. Two steamers went aground the first day and were got off with much difficulty; they all reached St. Charles on the eighth. On the 10th the Jefferson was again delayed by broken machinery. He doubts that she will reach Council Bluffs, but thinks the others will. The Johnson is still short of necessary provisions. He regretted that anything relating to transportation connected with the expedition had been delegated to other hands--than the quartermaster-general's. Franklin, July 30. Four companies of the Sixth regiment in keels and one company and a half in the Expedition arrived on the twenty-second. The other two steam |
boats were sixty miles below. Those in keels went on, after a day to dry baggage. The Expedition was delayed till to-day to repair machinery. Doubts that either of the steamboats will reach their destination. The keels behind, with the residue of provisions, will insure reaching Council Bluffs in good season. He is waiting for the Johnson. Franklin, August 13. Colonel Chambers is now at Fort Osage, with a detachment of his regiment and four companies of the Sixth regiment. Three days ago the Expedition, with one company and a half, was progressing fifty miles below Fort Osage. The Johnson, with a company, was progressing forty-five miles above Franklin, on the eleventh. He was advised by express two days ago that the Jefferson, with one company and a half on board, was aground forty miles below. The captain of the boat had notified the commanding officer of the troops that he could proceed no farther. Agreeable to special instructions, left the commanding officer, he at once sent to St. Louis for keel boats to receive the Jefferson's cargo. A keel boat was also sent from Franklin this day to the Jefferson, for articles needed above for immediate use. The assistant deputy quartermaster-general had been advised to hold the boats in readiness "to meet any failure of the steamboats". Having arranged for forwarding the Jefferson's cargo, Colonel Atkinson intended to set out that day to join the Johnson at Fort Osage "and from thence proceed in her to the Cantonment above". His arrangements would get the cargo up in good season if both the other boats failed. "The tardiness of the Jefferson would have authorized me to have discharged her two or three weeks ago, which would have been so much time saved. But, knowing as I did, that Colonel Johnson had drawn largely on account of transportation, I thought it most prudent, as I had yet time on my hands, to wait till a failure was acknowledged on the part of the boat, that he might not have the slightest |
reason to say that any interference on the part of the commanding officer of the expedition caused to him a loss. Indeed, I have been careful to avoid giving him the smallest clue by which be could claim indemnity from government or losses which he must certainly sustain in his contract or transportation." Colonel Atkinson declares, now, that Colonel Johnson is greatly deficient in supplies furnished and (p. 164) gives specific figures. At Chariton, August 14. Advises the use of keel boats only, for future transportation, and not to be taken out of the hands of the quartermaster-general's department. Thinks he would fail in his object next year if supplies should be entrusted to Johnson. "The meat part of the ration could be abundantly and cheaply supplied in the neighborhood of Franklin. Fine pork could be bought at two dollars and a half a hundred, and beef at the same price." Colonel Atkinson left that day to join the Johnson at Fort Osage and take passage on her for Martin Cantonment. Fort Osage, August 25. Arrived on the 23d. The detachment of the Rifle regiment and five companies of the Sixth regiment moved on that day, under Colonel Chambers, on the Expedition and keel boats, for Martin Cantonment. Martin Cantonment, September 6. Arrived on the 31st ultimo. Colonel Chambers with the detachment of riflemen and five companies of the Sixth regiment, got there, with the Expedition, on the twenty-ninth. "The steamboat Expedition has halted here, it being deemed impracticable, in consequence of the lowness of the river, to get her to the Council Bluffs. The Johnson will probably be able to reach that point, as her draught of water is much lighter. The cargo of the Expedition has been reshipped in our transport boats and a keel employed by Colonel Johnson's agent, and, should the Johnson fail, I have ample means within my control to have her cargo |
taken up in good season. The Rifle regiment and the five companies of the Sixth embark today at one o'clock for the Council Bluffs. We shall, no doubt, make the march in twenty days. The infantry which were on board the steamboat Jefferson are charged with the safe conduct of the keels that received her cargo, and may be expected to join us above by the 15th proximo; those on board the Johnson will be up sooner; therefore, it may be safely calculated, that the principal part of the troops will be established at the Council Bluffs by the first of October, and the residue by the 20th, together with all our ordnance, munitions, and provisions for twelve months." Colonel Atkinson has requested Major O'Fallon, Indian agent, to inhibit all trade with the Pawnee till proper restitution is made for depredations against Major Biddle and party while on a tour through the Kansas country. Camp Missouri, near the Council Bluffs, October 3, 1819. Arrived "with the Rifle regiment and five and a half companies of the Sixth, at a point a few miles below this, early on the morning of the 29th ult., where we remained till yesterday morning to examine the neighboring (sic) country for the purpose of selecting a position to canton the troops. Having fixed on this place (an extensive rich bottom, covered with suitable timber for huts, situated a mile above the Council Bluffs) we reached it yesterday evening. Tomorrow we shall commence hutting and probably cover ourselves in five weeks." Light Company A and part of B had left the steamboat Jefferson in keels, and were, on the 7th ult., eighty miles below Fort Osage. "They may be expected to reach this by the 20th instant, together with the cargo of the Jefferson escorted by Captain Bliss's command. Battalion company H is also behind. It was on board the Johnson, which broke part of her machinery thirty miles above Fort Osage. Keel boats were discharged from here some days ago and sent down to her; therefore |
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 Vol.
17 Plate 4
SNAGS (SUNKEN TREES) ON THE MISSOURI.--From Portfolio of Maximilian Prince of Wied. |
the cargo and the company will no doubt be up in all this month. The colonel expects that a light boat will return to St. Louis a few days hence when he will give a detailed account. In the meantime he sends this letter by precarious means. Pp. 169-171. Camp Missouri, October 19, 1819. Has received a communication from Calhoun, secretary of war, dated August 18, which disclosed that his movements, up to July 11, were approved. The three steamboats all failed;--one below Franklin; another, near the mouth of the Kansas river, "in the wilderness"; and the third at Cantonment Martin. One keel boat, with troops and provisions from the Jefferson, arrived on the 12th of October, another is near at hand. A third may be expected in four days, and the fourth, about the same time. The Expedition's cargo has been brought up, and the boats sent for the Johnson's should arrive by the end of the month. Captain Bliss has lately come up in a keel from the Jefferson and gives information that all the boats with supplies will come through, except one that left Belle Fontaine September 15 with flour, vinegar, etc. On account of deficiency in meat, "an article the contractor fell far short in", Colonel Atkinson had beef cattle contracted for and driven to this place. Upwards of two hundred head had arrived which would make the supply ample. A keel boat from the Jefferson, "with such articles of the quartermaster's and ordnance stores as we should most want in making our first establishment", struck a snag about ten days ago near the mouth of the Platte, "whilst running under easy sail, in the middle of the river." It passed through her bow; and she immediately filled and sank in twelve feet of water. No lives were lost. Her crew abandoned her two days after. Colonel Atkinson at once sent Lieutenant Keeler, acting ordnance officer, well supplied with spare anchors, cable, etc., and a |
strong crew of soldiers, to try to raise the boat or as many of her articles as possible. Councils had been held with the Kansas, Oto and Missouri, Iowa, Grand Pawnee, Pawnee Loup, Pawnee Republic and Maha tribes; Colonel Atkinson attended councils with the last four named. The chiefs were invited to sit and eat with them. The agent, Major O'Fallon, had exhibited much talent in executing his duties. The Pawnee Republicans had returned the property stolen from Biddle. Barracks were up as high as the roofs "which will soon be put on". Boards for covering, floors, &c., are in a state of forwardness. Troops will be comfortably quartered next month. "The barracks are laid out as well for defense as for accommodation. They form a square, each curtain presenting a front of five hundred and twenty feet, made of heavy logs, the wall about sixteen feet high and the whole of the roofs sloping to the interior. In the center of each curtain there is a projection twenty feet, its width twenty with a heavy ten foot gate in the front. These projections will be pierced with three embrasures for cannon, two raking the curtain each way from the center, and the other through the gate to the front. The upper part of the projection will have a second floor and still project over the lower part to afford loops to fire down through. It will be raised to barbet[te] height and will answer for cannon and musketry. The barrack rooms, the exterior of which form the curtains, are twenty feet by twenty and will be pierced with loop holes for small arms. When completed, no force will be able to carry the work without the aid of cannon. As soon as the engineer, Lieut. Talcott, arrives, who took passage in the Johnson, you shall be furnished with a plan of the work and a topographical survey of the ground, the river, and the adjacent country." Hardhart, an Indian chief, had led the colonel to believe that an excellent road might be made with but little trouble from hence, on the north side of the river, across to Chariton, a distance of one hundred and eighty or |
two hundred miles. He would send an officer in four or five days, with a party of six or eight soldiers, to mark out a road by the nearest route. Pack horses and Hardhart as guide would accompany them. The road would afford easy communication to the post office at Chariton which might be kept up once a month and oftener if necessary by expresses "and which will be put in practice. Colonel Atkinson would return to St. Louis as soon as troops and boats arrived from below, "for the purpose of attending to the arrangements necessary for the completion of the expedition next season". Troops in excellent health and all well disposed to do duty. P. 238. March 27, 1819, Secretary Calhoun orders Jesup to St. Louis with full discretionary powers in discharge of the duties of his office as to the important movements on the Mississippi and Missouri. Ibid. The secretary of war offered Johnson $160,000 for all transportation on both rivers. His whole outfit, including price of boats and their expenses, did not exceed $190,000. He has his three steamboats left which, admitting that they are depreciated in value, are now worth $70,000. $160,000, offered by secy. of war H. M. Brackenridge ascended from St.
Louis to Fort Osage in twenty-five days; from Fort Osage to
Council Bluffs in eighteen days--seven days less for the
upper than for the lower part. |
". . . It had been previously proven by a voyage to Chariton, performed by that very Independence, which, by the testimony of Captain O'Fallon, had been towed by the Expedition over the Falls of [the] Ohio, that the Missouri was well adapted to steamboat navigation ... When the Expedition was unable to progress and was compelled to fall back to her anchoring ground, the Independence passed up the Missouri at the rate of one and a half knots an hour. This one fact is worth more in the investigation than volumes of vague opinion. It was never contemplated that the Expedition should wait the arrival of the Sixth regiment, but the plan was for the Rifle regiment to move whenever the depot of 480,000 rations, which Colonel Johnson, as subsistence contractor, had been required to establish, should be completed." Jesup continues: There were officers of every department at St. Louis: General Bissell, senior in rank to Jesup, and Colonel Atkinson commanded. Captain McGunnegle, one of the most efficient officers of the army, was at the head of the quartermaster's department; and if the contract had not been made void by Johnson's own statement, the expedition might have progressed without either Colonel Atkinson or the quartermaster-general. The visit of the latter to St. Louis was not so much to direct operations as to provide for any failure. When offered, it was known to the officers of the government that the provisions were deficient in quantity if not in quality. Johnson was prevented from delivering goods by difficulty with the civil authority. It was his original purpose not to comply with his contract because it would be against his interest to do so. If Johnson had complied so that the start could have been made in April instead of July the plan would have been accomplished during that season. No steamboats were navigating the Missouri at the time the contract was made, so keel boat rates must have been meant as the ordinary rates. O'Fallon was sutler to the troops at Council Bluffs when he testified |
and so was an interested witness. He received five and a half cents as an employe of the quartermaster's department to transport provisions and stores to the Council Bluffs. Now he thinks Johnson should get eighteen. to twenty cents. Many witnesses for Johnson were interested. P. 258. Attorney General Wirt riddles the claim and especially as to the patriotism play. The award of the arbitrators (pp. 278-288) is very specious pleading for Johnson. Settlement, pp. 290-292, No. 12. Allowed for transportation of supplies
on the Expedition, Jefferson and
Johnson from the mouth of the Missouri to Council
Bluffs at the rate of 16 1/4 cents a pound, and for
transportation on the keel boats at the same price. The
arbitrators allowed for all the goods transported by the
government keel boats, contending that they infringed on
Johnson's rights, amount $14,969.28. Allowed for detention
above and below, $47,149.52. |
Mississippi and the Missouri, as far up as the Yellow Stone river. Shawneetown is situated on the Ohio river, in southeastern Illinois. Ibid., v. 19, p. 47. "The steam boat Expedition, in the service of the United States and belonging to Col. James Johnson, lately arrived at the Council Bluffs on the Missouri, with a large cargo in fine order." The date of this item, September 16, 1820, indicates that Johnson's "pull" with the government had not been weakened by the damaging showing of the military officers and the criticisms in congress. |
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