The New Hampshire Gazette

BY MAIL:

DRAGOONS.

We are glad to learn that official advices have reached the War Department, stating the return of Col. Dodge and his command, from the expedition they have been engaged in, after the successful accomplishment of the objects in view. The result will be highly important to that frontier, and it is to be hoped it will receive its permanent tranquility from the predatory incursions of those wandering tribes, heretofore only known to us by the injuries they committed. This is the first time our troops have been brought into contact with them, and every one will rejoice that the meeting has been bloodless, and that there is every prospect of future tranquility.

Col. Dodge deserves great credit for his prudence and firmness.

The accounts state, that Colonel Dodge, with six companies of that regiment, left Camp Leavenworth, about 180 miles west of Fort Gibson, on the 7th of July. On the 14th, about one hundred miles further West, they met a party of mounted Camanches, about forty or fifty in number. The Indians were somewhat alarmed, but evinced a disposition to be friendly; and after an interview, expressed a wish that the troops should go with them to their camp, which was about two days journey off. They stated that the Kiowas, Camanches, and the band called Pawnee Picts, (but more properly, Toyash,) were friendly, and, to a certain degree, allies—similar in character, and mingled so as to be much the same people in all respects, except in language. The Camanches being much the largest band, and characterised by their pride and daring, Col. Dodge determined to make them a visit. Accordingly, he repaired to their camp, where he saw only about one hundred mounted Camanches, their Chief being absent at the time with a hunting party. This camp contained upwards of two hundred skin lodges; and herds of horses, not less than three thousand, were grazing round it. The men rode good horses, and were well armed with bow, arrow, and lance, and carried shields made of buffalo hides. The command next proceeded to the Toyash village, a distance of about eighty miles, where they arrived on the 21st of July.

The sick having retarded the march to such a degree (many being obliged to be carried on litters) that it was deemed prudent to leave them on the route, under a sufficient guard, about seven miles from the Camanche's camp.

The Toyash village is situated on a branch of the Red river, and consists of about two hundred grass lodges, many of which were thirty feet high, and forty feet diameter. The cornfields were well cultivated, neatly enclosed, and very extensive. As these Indians were rather tardy in making arrangements to receive our troops, it was presumed that they had either fled, or were determined to fight. Preparations were accordingly made for a conflict—which, however, proved unnecessary: for, when they did appear, it was with considerable alarm; and as the troops approached the village, they begged the commander not to fire on them. This tribe is chiefly armed with bow and arrow. Col. Dodge held a council at this village with the Camanches, Toyashes, and Kiowas, amounting in all to about two thousand men, and told them that he had come to meet them as friends, and to make peace with them, and secure peace between them and the Osages, Cherokees, Delawares, Senecas, and Choctaws. He demanded the surrender of Judge Martin's son, who had been captured by the Toyashes, and information as to Abby, a white man who had also been captured, and offered in exchange for the boy, a Pawnee girl whom he had brought with him. The Chief delivered up the boy, but said that the Texas Camanches, who live near St. Antonio in Mexico, had captured Abby, and carried him over the Red river, and there killed him. A friendly intercourse was interchanged between the Camanches, and Toyashes, and the few Osages, Cherokees, Delawares, and Senecas, who had accompanied the expedition for the purpose of serving as guides, hunters, and interpreters, and ensuring a friendly intercourse between their nations and the Pawnees. Col. Dodge, after delivering to their parents the two Indian girls who had been captured by the Osages, commenced his return to Camp Leavenworth, where he had left the greater portion of his sick. The command arrived at Fort Gibson on the 15th of August, bringing with them several of the Chiefs of the different tribes, who had been induced to make a visit to their great Father at Washington.

In returning from the Toyash village to Fort Gibson, herds of Buffalo were encountered almost daily—on one occasion they broke through the columns on the march. At another time the camp was alarmed in the evening by the cry of "Secure your horses from the Buffalo." A herd was rushing upon the camp, around which the horses had been picketed, and had approached to within two hundred yards, when the mounted sentinels succeeded in changing their direction; thus saving the camp from what is termed a stampede.

We understand an interesting Diary of the Expedition had been transmitted, which will be copied for publication.—Globe.