Return of the Kickapoo and
the Seminole (Negro) Indians
from Mexico to the United States, 1870 - 1885
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Papers Relating to the Return of the Kickapoo and the Seminole (Negro) Indians
from Mexico to the United States, 1870 - 1885
Letters Received by the Office of the Adjutant General
(Main Series) 1861 - 1870
Roll 799 1870
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Headquarters Fifth Military District
(State of Texas)
Office Assistant Adjutant General
Austin, Texas March 25, 1870
Captain J. C. DeGress
9th U. S. Cavalry
Commanding Post, Fort Duncan, Texas
Sir:
I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your communication of the 17th
instant in relation to the "Seminole" and Kickapoo Indians, reporting your
action
in granting permission to the Seminole tribe "to cross the Rio Grande River and
camp on the reservation of Fort Duncan until their request to move to Arkansas,
on the Reservation of the Seminoles can be considered and decided on by the
Major
General Commanding," and to inform you that your action in the premises is
approved.
I am, Sir, Very Respectfully,
Your Obedient Servant,
(signed) H. Clay Wood
Assistant Adjutant General
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Enclosure 3
Headquarters Post of Fort Duncan
Fort Duncan, Texas, March 17, 1870
Mr. Albert Tuerpe
Deputy Sheriff, Maverick Co., Texas
Sir:
Learning that the Kickapoo Indians are anxious to move back to their reservation
in
the United States, and are waiting for permission and protection to do so, you
are
hereby authorized to assure them that both will be extended to them, and
further,
invite them to a "Talk" at this Post or at the office of the U. S. Consul at
Peidras
Negros, Mexico, if they prefer it.
I am Sir,
Very Respectfully,
Your Obt. Servant
"signed" J. C. D. Gress
Captain 9th U. S. Cavalry
Brevet Lieutenant Colonel U. S. A.
Commanding Post
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Headquarters Post of Fort Duncan
Fort Duncan, Texas March 17, 1870
Brevet Brigadier General H. Clay Wood,
Assistant Adjutant General
Sir:
I have the honor to inform you that the Chief of the remaining Seminoles in
Mexico,
John Kibbett, came to this Post this morning for the purpose of getting
permission
to move to the Seminole Reservation in Arkansas, and to receive subsistence and
forage for his people and horses while in transit. He states that his Tribe,
consisting of about one hundred people, is poor, but willing to work.
They are mostly blacks and moved to Mexico under the Seminole Chief Wild Cat.
I have given the Chief a document of which the enclosed is a copy and have
promised
him rations and forage subject to the approval of the General Commanding while
at
this post.
This Chief informed me that the Kickapoo's were anxious to move back to their
Reservation and only waited for permission and protection to do so.
In view of this information, I will send the Deputy Sheriff of this County, Mr.
Albert Tuerpe, who speaks the Kickapoo language, to Laota Rosa, Mexico, to
invite
their Chief, who is now at Santa Rosa, to come to this post for a "talk."
I most respectfully ask the approval of the Major General Commanding of my
action
so far, and instructions as to what shall be done in case the Seminoles and
Kickapoos, or either of them, come over agreeably to my promise.
The enclosed is a copy of letter of authority given Mr. Tuerpe. I have also
instructed Mr. Tuerpe to pay special attention to whatever captives the
Kickapoos
may have, taking description of them if possible.
I am Sir,
Very Respectfully,
Your Obt. Servant,
"signed" J. C. D. Gress
Captain 9th Cavalry
Brevet Lieutenant Colonel, U. S. A.
Commanding Post
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War Dept. Oct. 26, 1871
Hon. Secretary of the Interior
Sir:
Referring to the subject of the removal of certain roving bands of Kickapoo
Indians
now in Mexico to the territory of the United States, and particularly to your
communication of the 17th inst., in relation thereto, I have the honor to say
that
the War Department cannot undertake to collect the Indians at Fort Duncan and
then
superintend their removal through Texas to the Indian Territory, but, adhering
to
the understanding previously had with the Dept. of the Interior, holds itself in
readiness to furnish the necessary escort from Fort Duncan, when the Comdg.
Officer
of that Post shall have been duly notified that the Indians have been collected
and
are ready for removal, and to transport & subsist them from that point to their
new
homes, agreeably to previous arrangement.
Very Respy. Your Obedient Servant
Wm. Belknap
Secty. of War
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Brief of papers relative to the subsistence &c at Fort Duncan, Texas,
of
Seminole
(Negro) Indians from Mexico, in anticipation of their removal by the Interior
Department to a Reservation.
In March 1870, Captain J. C. DeGress, 9th Cavalry Commanding Fort Duncan, Texas,
gave permission to a band of Seminole Negroes, which had been located in Mexico
since the Florida War, to cross the Rio Grande and camp upon the Reservation at
Fort Duncan, pending the consideration of a request made by them to be moved to
the Seminole Reservation in the Indian Territory. Captain DeGress' action was
approved by the Department Commander, who forwarded the papers on the subject
for the information of the Indian Bureau and for instructions on the subject.
The correspondence was transmitted to the Interior Department in War Department
letter of April 19, 1870, and immediate attention invited thereto with request
that
such instructions concerning the removal of these Indians as might be deemed
proper
should be given.
Receipt of these papers was acknowledged by the Interior Department April 30,
1870,
enclosing a report of April 26, 1870, from the Commissioner of Indian Affairs
(Gen.
E. S. Parker), who after giving the history of these Seminole Indians in brief,
as
well as that of the Kickapoos associated with them in Mexico, stated that the
removal
of the latter had been suggested in the report of his predecessor in 1868-1869;
that
the Indian Department had not at its disposal the means to affect the removal of
these
Indians should they cross the Rio Grande to Fort Duncan, but that if the
Military
would arrange for their subsistence, and conduct them to the Indian Country, the
Indian Bureau could then take charge of them and provide for their settlement
among
the people from whom they separated - Seminoles.
Copies of the Interior Dept. letter and General Parker's report were furnished
the
Commanding General Department of Texas with remarks that under the circumstances
the
Secretary of War declined to give any order in the case of these Indians.
In September 1870, the question of the expense of removing the stock, effects &c
of
the Seminoles across the Rio Grande was brought to the attention of the Interior
Department, and October 3, 1870 the Secretary of the Interior stated that there
was
an appropriation in the hands of his Dept. applicable to that purpose, of which
the
Department Commander was advised. These Seminoles continued to be subsisted at
Fort
Duncan, and in September 1872, the Commissary General of Subsistence recommended
that
the issue to them from Army supplies be not authorized and that the case be
brought to the attention of the Indian Bureau.
By War Dept. letter of September 12, 1872 the attention of the Secretary of the
Interior was called to the fact that the appropriation of the Dept. for Army
subsistence was insufficient to meet the demands of the Army and supply rations
to
Indians, that the Seminole Negroes at Fort Duncan were now being subsisted from
Army
supplies notwithstanding, the expenses of feeding and moving them should be
borne by
the Interior Department under the arrangements made. The Interior Dept. was
requested
to take immediate measures for their future subsistence as the War Dept. must
cease
to furnish them with supplies.
In reply, the Secretary of the Interior transmitted a copy of report from the
Commissioner of Indian Affairs on the subject, and stated that he was of opinion
that there were no funds at the disposal of the Interior Dept. that could be
used
for the subsistence of these Indians while they remained at Fort Duncan; that if
they
were in the Indian Territory, provision might be made for them, and asked that
the
Commanding Officer, Fort Duncan, be instructed to ascertain whether they would
remove
to the Indian Territory.
October 24, 1872, the C. O. Fort Duncan reported that the Seminole were willing,
and
had been expecting to move to the Indian Territory, that they had been waiting
at
Fort Duncan for more than 2 years, and had more than once manifested impatience
at
the delay. This was communicated to the Interior Department, and its receipt
acknowledged December 26, 1872 by the Secretary of the Interior who enclosed
copy of
a communication from the Commissioner of Indian Affairs giving his views in
regard
to the matter and stating that as it appeared that these Negro Indians were not
induced to return from Mexico by any competent authority, they should not be
cared
for by the Indian Dept.; also that the treaty of 1866 with the Creeks provided
for
the return of these Indians within one year from its ratification in order to
entitle
them to equal rights on the Reservation.
Copies of the Commissioner's report and Interior Dept. letter having been
referred to
Genl. Sheridan were returned Jany. 29, 1873 with all the evidence in reference
to the
Seminole Negro Indians, which he was able to obtain, and with remarks that it
appeared
from the papers that the Commissioner of Indian Affairs in 1868 strongly
encouraged
the return of the Negroes to the U. S. which had probably influenced the C. O.
Fort
Duncan in his action, that he was a little astonished at the pronounced and
unequivocal denial of support for these poor Indians by the Indian Bureau as
soon
as it found itself not absolutely responsible for their presence at Fort Duncan;
and General Sheridan recommended their location on a reservation on Elm Creek,
and requested that in consideration of the many times that the Military have
responded to the Indian Bureau in furnishing rations to Indians that its action
be
reconsidered.
By War Dept. letter of Feby. 21, 1873 the remarks of General Sheridan on the
subject
were communicated for the information of the Interior Dept. and attention
invited to
Commissioner Parker's letter of April 26, 1870.
Feby. 21, 1874 the Commanding General Dept. of Texas enclosed a letter from the
Headman of the Seminoles at Fort Duncan, asking for a continuation of the
rations
his people had been receiving up to January 1, 1874, with letter from the
Commanding
Officer Ft. Duncan giving an account of how these Indians came to Fort Duncan.
The Department Commander stated that about 20 of the men were enlisted and
served
as Scouts at Fort Duncan, and about the same number at Fort Clark, that of
course
these men received their pay, rations &c but that this was not sufficient to
support
the infirm and old, and the women and children of the band; called attention to
their
sad story and stated that either these people must be cared for by the
Government at
Fort Duncan, or removed to the Seminole Reservation, or that in sheer
desperation to
prevent starving they would be forced to resort to stealing and preying on white
settlers.
The Department Commander remarked that the Commissioner of Indian Affairs
(General
Walker) appears to have quoted from the wrong Treaty in stating that there was a
limitation to the time this class of persons could return to their Reservation;
that the Treaty of 1866 with the "Creeks" (see Stat. at Large Vol. 14, p. 86)
does
contain such provision, but that the Treaty with the "Seminoles" (see Stat. at
Large
Vol. 14, p. 756) appeared to him to contain no limitation as to the time these
Indians may return to their Reservation, and that there could be no doubt as to
their
right to return - he stated he did not doubt but that he could spare
transportation
during the Summer to move such of them as desired to go to their Reservation -
the
only expense necessary being the hire of a few teamsters and the subsistence of
the
Indians on their way; but that provision should be made for subsisting them for
a
limited time after reaching their location.
The papers were forwarded by Lieut. General Sheridan, inviting attention to his
previous endorsements on the subject and especially that portion of the letter
of
the Commanding Genl. Dept. Texas pointing out the error of the Commissioner of
Indian Affairs as to requirements of the Treaty. The Acting Commissary General
of
Subsistence stated that it appears from the records of his office that the
issues
of rations to the Seminole Negroes at Fort Duncan continued until January 10,
1874,
no February return having been received - and he remarked that the appropriation
for the subsistence of the Army could not legally be applied to the feeding of
these
Negroes and recommended that if they were to be fed by this Department an
appropriation be made for the purpose, asking if it would not be more
appropriate
that they should be supplied by the Indian Bureau.
April 9, 1874 the Secretary of War forwarded to the Interior Department a copy
of
the communication from the Commanding General Department of Texas relative to
the
destitute condition of the Negro Seminole Indians at Fort Duncan, together with
a
brief giving a full history of the case up to that time, and requested that
provision
for the subsistence of these people and their removal to the Indian Territory be
made
by the Interior Department.
In July 1874, the C. O. Fort Duncan reported that he had ordered the issue of
rations
for that month to 10 Seminole Indians, and requested instructions as to whether
the
issue would be approved for the future, and asked information as to the
disposition
to be made of the Indians.
The Secretary of War authorized the issue to these Indians for July and August
1874,
but decided its discontinuance thereafter, and by W. D. letter of August 7,
1874,
the Interior Department was so advised.
Augt. 15, 1874 the Interior Department, referring to War Dept. letter of April
9,
1874, forwarded a copy of a report from the Commissioner of Indian Affairs, from
which it appeared that the matter of the Seminole Negroes was then in the hands
of
Special Commissioners Atkinson and Williams for report, and stated that the War
Department would be advised so soon as the report of those gentlemen was
received.
August 21, 1874, the Interior Department stated there were no funds at the
disposal
of that Department that could be used for the subsistence of the Seminole
Negroes
while they remained in Texas.
May 8, 1875, the Secretary of War disapproved an order of General Ord Commanding
Dept. of Texas directing - subject to the approval of the Secretary of War - an
issue
of subsistence stores to prevent suffering among the helpless Seminole Negroes
at
Fort Duncan.
Note: The subsequent correspondence on file in the office of the Adjutant
General
shows the repeated effort to effect the removal of these Seminole Negroes from
Texas
to the Indian Territory, with the result shown in the endorsement of the
Adjutant
General of September 5, 1884, in letter from the Commanding Officer Fort Clark,
herewith.
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Department of the Interior
Indian Office
Washington D. C. April 26, 186----
Sir:
I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of the letter of the Hon. Secretary
of
War, dated 19th instant, referred here by you on the 23rd, inviting your
attention
to the correspondence (which he encloses) between Bvt. Col. J. D. DeGress,
Commanding
at Fort Duncan, Texas, and the commanding General of the Department of Texas,
relative to a party of Seminole and Kickapoo Indians residing in Mexico who are
anxious to return to the United States. An invitation has been sent to them by
Col. DeGress to visit his post to have a talk upon the subject, and the question
is put by him as to what shall be done in case they should come.
The history of these Indians is briefly and in substance this; about 1849,
Co-ah-coo-che, or Wild Cat, a Seminole Chief of notoriety and influence, having
become very much dissatisfied with the arrangements made by the Government in
regard
to his people upon their removal from Florida, with a few followers left the
country
of the Creeks, upon which the Seminoles were to reside, and went to Texas with
the intentions, as he asserted, to settle there.
In 1850 he returned to the Nation and sought to induce all the Seminoles to join
him
in Texas, but succeeded only in prevailing upon about 100 together with some
slaves,
to accompany him. With these he returned in that year and eventually settled in
Mexico
across the Rio Grande. From that time he and his followers ceased to be regarded
by
the Department as a part of the Seminole Nation, and they have been almost
wholly lost
sight of for many years past. Wild Cat it is believed is now dead.
These Kickapoos are those who many years ago separated from their Nation
residing in
the Country which afterward became Kansas Territory, and went down among the
Creeks
and other Indians, locating upon or about the Washita River, and who became
associated with the Seminoles under Wild Cat, and crossed over the Rio Grande
with
them into Mexico. At one time the Chief said he had with him 1,600 Kickapoos and
at
another, 600. They were joined in 1864 by a party of 100 from the Kickapoo
Reservation
in Kansas, a part of whom subsequently returned to Kansas.
The number of Seminoles and Kickapoo now in Mexico cannot be stated with
certainty
by this office. I think it is likely that of the former there may be as many
(100)
as stated by the Chief John Kibbett to Col. DeGress; and of the latter there may
be probably from 600 to 800. A report respecting the removal of the Kickapoos
back
to the United States was made to the Hon. Secretary of the Interior by this
office
on the 14th of July 1868, and an estimate submitted of the sum that would be
required
for the purpose. The subject is referred to in the annual report for that year
of
my predecessor, pages 20 and 87, and also in my report for 1869 pages 8 and 451.
I
there suggested that steps be taken as early as practicable to have them brought
back and placed somewhere in the Indian Territory and that appropriate
legislation
be had by Congress in the matter. I will now further remark that this office has
not at its disposal the mans to effect the removal of these Indians should they
cross the Rio Grande and come to the Military Post at Fort Duncan with that
object
in view. If the Military will arrange for their subsistence and conduct them to
the
Indian Country, this office can then take charge of them and provide for their
settlement in some suitable locality in the Indian Country; the Seminoles,
perhaps,
among their people from whom they separated, and the Kickapoos upon some part of
the leased District, or among the Wichitas and affiliated bands in that
District.
Should the War Department consent to such an arrangement, it will be necessary
that this office be advised thereof, and before the removal commences, in order
that communication may be had with the Seminole Nation to ascertain if they will
receive these Seminoles and acknowledge them to be a part of the Nation, and
that
a home may be selected for the Kickapoos and Congress be asked for an
appropriation
to subsist and properly care for them.
I return herewith the letter of the Secretary of War and its enclosures.
Very Respectfully,
Your Obdt. Servt.
E. S. Parker
Commissioner
Hon J. D. Cox
Secretary of the Interior
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Headquarters Post of Fort Clark, Texas
April 1st, 1870
Brevet Col. H. Clay Wood,
Asst. Adjt. Genl. Fifth Mil. Dist.
Austin, Texas
Sir:
I have the honor to state for Commanding General that two Americans just from
Mexico
state that the tribe of Indians known as Kickapoos are very anxious to treat
with our
authorities and obtain permission to go upon a Reservation. If such could be
accomplished, it would do much to secure the people of this frontier against
this
tribe's invasions. When on a Reservation they would doubtless steal and commit
depredations, but they would no longer have the impossible barrier of the Rio
Grande
for retreat and behind which to secure their plunder. If desirable I think I
have
means by which I can meet some of these Indians somewhere on the Rio Grande and
ascertain what they are willing to do.
Very Respectfully
Your Obt. Servant
"signed" H. C. Corbin
Captain 24th Infantry,
Brevet Lieutenant Colonel, U. S. A.
Commanding
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Headquarters Department of Texas
(Texas and Louisiana)
Office Assistant Adjutant General
Austin, Texas July 20th, 1870
Brevet Lieutenant Colonel Fenas. R. Bliss
Major 25th U. S. Infantry
Commanding Fort Duncan, Texas
Sir:
Referring to your communication of the 4th (?14th) instant making report
relative
to the Seminole Negroes, etc. at Fort Duncan, you are authorized to enlist
twenty
(20), or such number shall be found fit for service as Scouts who will receive
the
pay and allowance of Cavalry Soldiers. Kibbett, or the Headman, will receive pay
of
Sargeant.
They will be mustered into service for six (6) months unless sooner discharged.
The
required muster rolls will be prepared and forwarded. The Indian and English
names
will both appear upon the Muster-in rolls.
You will please detail an energetic and discreet commissioned officer who will
have
charge and command this party when enlisted.
Your recommendation as to locating the Seminole Negroes on Elm Creek, where they
can live and cultivate land is approved, and you will carry out your plan.
The entire party of Indians will be under the control and protection of the
Military
Authorities at Fort Duncan.
By Command of Brevet Major General Reynolds:
(signed) H. Clay Wood
Assistant Adjutant General
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Headquarters Post of Fort Duncan
Fort Duncan, Texas, July 14, 1870
Brevet Colonel H. Clay Wood
Asst. Adjt. Genl. Dept. of Texas
Austin, Texas
Sir:
In compliance with instructions from Headquarters, Department of Texas, dated
Austin,Texas, June 23, 1870, I have the honor to report that I have had frequent
conversations with John Kibbett, Chief of the parties of Seminole Negroes, and
he
states in substance that he belonged to Wild Cat's band of Seminoles, and left
the
U. S. Reservation and went to Mexico with him and Gopher John, and lived on the
Mexican Reservation near Santa Rosa; that Wild Cat died in Mexico. In 1858 a
nephew
of Wild Cat, who remained in Arkansas, went to Mexico by permission of the U. S.
authorities, and brought back to the U. S. Reservation several Seminole
families;
and during the rebellion all the Seminole Indians in Mexico left and went to
Arkansas with a son of Wild Cat.
Gopher John, the principal Chief of the Seminole Negroes, and Kibbett, with
their
parties, remained in Mexico, being afraid to return on account of Slavery which
then existed.
About one year ago, "Bob," a son of Kibbett, was on the Seminole Reservation,
and
they stated to him that they were very anxious to have the Seminole Negroes come
over and join them, and in consideration of this wish, as expressed by the
Seminoles,
and the initiation of the Post Commander at Fort Duncan, he crossed to Texas,
and
wishes to go to the Seminole Reservation, whose land given him in Texas which he
may cultivate without molestation.
Gopher John is living about two hundred miles Southwest of Santa Rosa, Mexico,
and
has with him about 150 Negroes; there are also a party of these Negroes near
Matamoras,
but how many Kibbett does not know, as he has not seen them in a long time.
Gopher John told Kibbett that he would join him, if possible, at Santa Rosa and
come here with him, but in case he did not arrive in time, Kibbett was to come
over
and the others would join him here. Gopher John and his party have not yet
arrived,
but Kibbett states that he will come soon, or if he will go after him he will go
at
once.
The Kickapoos are not on any Reservation now, but are out in the hills in
Mexico,
though still at peace with the Mexicans. Kibbett who is apparently a very smart
and
reliable Negro, states that he had a talk with the Chief of the Kickapoos, and
that
he stated he would not come in to "talk" with the Commanding Officer of Fort
Duncan,
as the Mexicans told him the troops here would kill him if he did; also that all
the
stock the Kickapoos own were stolen from Texas, and they fear, should they
cross,
they will lo(o)se their stock and be punished by the Texans for stealing it.
Kibbett
is of opinion that neither promises nor treaties will induce the Kickapoos to
come in.
There are at present no Lepans in Mexico.
Kibbett's men will not enlist in the Army, but are willing and anxious to be
employed
as Scouts. They know nothing about the country in Texas; neither do they know at
what
points of the river the Indians cross to make forays on the frontier of Texas,
consequently they cannot act in the capacity of guides to water, posses, foods,
but are good trailers and understand the habits of Indians perfectly, and would
make excellent Scouts. Kibbett and his party are very anxious to get work of
some
kind, and are perfectly content to remain here on the Reservation, provided they
can have land to cultivate, with permission to hunt and labor in the vicinity,
and
act as Scouts when required by the proper authorities.
Elm Creek - five miles above this Post on the Military Reservation of Fort
Duncan
is the place he has selected to live on. There is good arable land on the creek.
Kibbett asks for compensation for his men and himself while actually employed in
the field, will accept the pay of a soldier for each of his men, with ($25.00)
twenty five dollars per month for himself. I could not state positively to him
what pay would be allowed him; he now states he is willing to accept the same
pay
as now allowed the Ton-ka-was. There are about 20 men fit for Scouts in the
party
now here, and they could be advantageously used at this Post.
I would therefore respectfully recommend that they be given as much ground as
they
can cultivate on the U. S. Military reservation on Elm Creek; that they have
permission to work in the vicinity of the Post and to hunt within certain
limits,
to be prescribed by the Commanding Officer of the Post.
Very Respectfully,
Your Obdt. Servant
(sgd) F. R. Bliss
Major 25th Infantry
Brevet Lieutenant Colonel U. S. Army
Commanding Post
African American History
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