HEADQUARTERS, SOUTHERN INDIAN TERRITORY,
FORT COBB, Indian Territory, Nov. 21, 1868.
To Lieut-Gen. SHERMAN, U. S. A.
SIR: The Cheyenne chief, Black Kettle,
and Arapahoe
chief, Big Mouth, came here to ask for peace for their bands. I
enclose their talk (page 476). Black Kettle represents a large
part of the Cheyennes, known as the Southern Cheyennes, or those
who were at Larned when the war commenced; and Big Mouth speaks for
all or nearly all of the Southern Arapahoes. He was accompanied by
the chief, Spotted Wolf, and Black Kettle by Little Robe. They
started of their own accord, but met one of my scouts, who told
them to come on. To have made peace with them would have brought
to my camp most of those now on the war-path south of the Arkansas;
and as General Sheridan is to punish those at war, and might follow
them in afterward, a second Chevington affair might occur which I
could not prevent. I do not understand that I am to treat for
peace, but would like definite instructions in this and like cases.
To make peace with these people would probably close the war, but
perhaps not permanently. I should prefer that General Sheridan
should make peace with these parties. * * *
(Signed) W. B. HAZEN.
