Knowing there were among the Sisseton Sioux quite a considerable number who were anxious to make peace with our Government, employed with your sanction Rev. Father André and J. R. Brown as special agents on the part of the military authorities to open a commu nication with them, and endeavor to detach them, and also well disposed Indians, of other bands, from the hostile combinations. Their effort were only partially successful. Some of the chiefs and principal brave appeared at Fort Abercrombie and signed the conditions of peace which were granted them, but the larger portion of the friendly disposed Si setons were prevented from thus surrendering themselves by the menace of the bands still determined upon war, and by the representations the Red River half-breeds that if they did give themselves up they woul all be executed by hanging. A vigilant watch was enforced along th extensive frontier by the forces stationed for that purpose, but no raid were attempted by the savages during the winter. On the 17th of May 1864, a white boy was killed by a war party on the Watonwan River and on the following day a soldier of the Sixth Minnesota Volunteer was wounded not far from the same spot. One of the Indians probabl belonging to the same gang was subsequently killed by two soldier of the Sixth Regiment near the Cottonwood River, and the others onl escaped by concealing themselves in the almost impenetrable thicket on the banks of that stream. A foray was made on the 11th of Augus following, on the settlements on the Blue Earth River, and two citizen were killed and one badly wounded by the savages, who succeeded effecting their escape, after a hot chase by a detachment of the Secon Minnesota Cavalry. The pursuit was followed up by a number of m scouts, until the latter found themselves confronted by a force of fift warriors, who luckily for the pursuers were for the most part withou horses. From conversation with the Indians at a safe distance tl scouts learned that they were of the White Lodge's band of Sisseto Sioux, the actors in the horrible massacres committed at Lake Shete in 1862. A strong detachment of cavalry was sent to destroy this par as soon as information had been given of their proximity to the settl ments, but some days having intervened no traces could be found of th savages, who seem to have retreated precipitately to the westward aft having been discovered. Three citizen teamsters were murdered by party of twenty-one Sioux warriors on the 24th of August, on the Re River of the North, at a point equal distant between Georgetown an Fort Abercrombie. The murderers were pursued by Major Adams wi a detachment of forty men of his battalion, but they had too long a sta to be overtaken. Other small parties of Indians have infested the fro tier during the summer, but the slender force under the command Lieutenant-Colonel Pfaender was kept in motion, and with the aid of few State minute-men called into service by Governor Miller, has secur the settlers from further molestation up to the present time. In obedience to your summons, I repaired to the headquarters of t department at Milwaukee in the latter part of February last, to cont with yourself and Brigadier-General Sully relative to the milita operations of the ensuing season. The plan adopted by you was co municated to each of us officially, and in accordance with that part it which required me to furnish a force from this military district to jo General Sully's command on the Missouri, I issued orders for the co centration near Fort Ridgely on the 28th of May following of the Eigh Minnesota Volunteers, under Colonel Thomas, of six companies of t Second Cavalry, under Colonel McLaren, and two sections of the mix gun and howitzer battery of the Third Minnesota, under Captain Jon This force, including about forty scouts, numbered 1,551 men, all mounted, and Col. M. T. Thomas, of the Eighth Minnesota Volunteers, was placed in command, with orders to march on the 6th of June to Swan Lake, the locality on the Missouri River indicated for the junction with Brigadier-General Sully. The route was prescribed by me, and so well timed was the movement that the co-operating force from this district reached Swan Lake only a few hours after the arrival of the other brigade, having marched 332 miles from Fort Ridgely. The operations of General Sully being confined entirely to the limits of his own district, it is no part of my duty to follow his movements or detail the part taken by the brigade from this district in the two successive engagements which resulted in the defeat of the Teton bands of Sioux with a heavy loss in warriors, and the sacrifice of a very large amount of subsistence, buffalo robes, cooking utensils, &c. In these conflicts I have good reason for the belief that the Minnesota troops gallantly performed their part. The Eighth Regiment Minnesota Volunteers is now on the way to this city en route for the South, in accordance with your directions, and the other detachments are being stationed for the additional defense of the frontier. The Sixth Regiment Minnesota Volunteers was, by directions of the War Department, communieated through you, dispatched to Helena, Ark., from this district on the 14th of June last. The chasm created by the removal of that regiment from the line of posts north and south of the Minnesota River, meluding Fort Ridgely, was but partially and insufficiently filled by two companies of the Second Minnesota Cavalry, which was all the disposable force at my command for that purpose, and I felt great anxiety lest a knowledge on the part of the powerful bands of Sioux on the north of the Missouri that very few troops were left for the protection of so long a line would embolden them to make a demonstration In force and renew the atrocities of 1862. That this was not done can be accounted for in no other way than that they had not yet recovered from the demoralizing effects of the defeats encountered by them during the campaigns of 1862 and 1863. Fort Wadsworth, so denominated by order of the War Department, is a new post in process of construction near the head of the Cotean des Prairies, about 190 miles from Fort Ridgely and seventy-five from Fort Abercrombie. Your directions required me to build the fort on the James River, if timber sufficient could be found, and if not, to select the nearest practicable site to that stream. After a full examination of the valley of the James River by Captain Burton, a competent and judicious officer, Major Clowney, of the Thirtieth Wisconsin Volunteers, who had been chosen by me to carry out your instructions, became satisfied, as I had previously been from personal observation, that no wood for a military post could be found on the upper James River. Following my orders he examined the country near the head of the Coteau des Prairies, and fixed upon what is represented by all who have seen it to be a very commanding and defenble position. The work was energetically commenced and prosecuted by Major Clowney, and is proceeding as rapidly as possible under the direction of his successor, Major Rose, Second Minnesota Cavalry, who with four companies of that regiment has relieved the four companies of the Thirtieth Wisconsin Volunteers at that post. The latter command is on its way to this city, being ordered by you to the South. Fort Wadsworth is one of the most important military stations of the Northwest. It is to be hoped that your intention to construct a similar large fortat Devil's Lake can be successfully carried out during the coming year, thus completing the cordon of posts in the heart of the Indian country. When completed and garrisoned by a strong force they will exercise a powerful effect on the wild bands of Sioux, who for the past two years have occasioned so much mourning and alarm among the white border settlers by their ruthless deeds of massacre and desolation. In addition to the other duties imposed upon the troops in this dis trict, they have had to act as escorts to trains of supplies to distan posts, and on one occasion last fall three companies of the Sixth Minnesota Volunteers were dispatched, as guard to a large provis ion train belonging to the U. S. Indian Department, to the Indian reservation on the Missouri. These companies with their charge lef on 15th of November, accomplished the march safely, and returned to this district about the 1st of January last, having marched nearly 800 miles, without any loss of men or animals. The extent of the line to be protected from the hostile Indians may be estimated at upward of 400 miles, and a force is also required at Fort Ripley to operate as a check on the Chippewas, who are uneasy and discontented. Until these In dian difficulties are at an end there should be, in my judgment, not less than one entire regiment of men and one battery, in addition to the force required to hold the posts and stations, in order properly to defend the frontier and repel attack. There are now in this district the regi ment of Second Minnesota Cavalry, six companies of Independen Battalion, one company Veteran Reserve Corps, Third Minnesota Bat tery, five companies of U. S. Volunteers and Connecticut cavalry, with detachments of other rebel deserters and refugees which have been dis patched to this district for service. Many of the latter are desperat characters, requiring an equal number of men to keep them in subjection and prevent their desertion. A few men have been on duty in the pro vost-marshal's department, and one company of the Independent Bat talion is now serving as provost guard under the direction of acting assistant provost-marshal-general of the State. In concluding this report I beg leave to call through you the earnes attention of the honorable Secretary of War to a subject which I hav repeatedly presented in my official dispatches to department headquar ters. I refer to the fact that the British Government still permits He Majesty's territories to be made the refuge of the murdering bands wh disturb the peace of our frontier, from the pursuit of the troops unde my command, and these savages are in constant and open communica tion with British traders, who furnish them with ammunition and othe articles with which to carry on the war with our Government withou let or hindrance by the local authorities. Indeed, the half-breed sul jects of Her Britannic Majesty traverse our domain in every direction for purposes of trading and hunting, and are thus directly interested i the continuance of hostilities between us and the upper bands of Siou Indians, and it is known that they foment discontent with the Chip pewas with whom they come in contact by representations that they ar defrauded by the United States Government by payment in pape instead of coin, of the money due them under treaty stipulations. I fact, until some arrangement shall be made between the two Govern ments whereby these constant violations of international comity on th part of Her Majesty's subjects can be arrested, and a sufficient force a troops to guarantee the neutrality of British soil stationed in the vicin ity of the boundary line, it is almost hopeless to look for a speed solution of these Indian difficulties. On the contrary, if it can possibl be effected by the influence of the Red River half-breeds, we may antic ipate that the Chippewas will soon be added to the number of ou active enemies. I trust you will agree with me in my views of the im portance to be attached to early action on the part of the United States Government, and press the subject upon the attention of the honorable Secretary of War. I am, general, very respectfully, your obedient servant, Maj. Gen. JOHN POPE, H. H. SIBLEY, Brigadier-General, Commanding. Comdg. Department of the Northwest, Milwaukee, Wis. JULY 3, 1864. - Skirmish in Platte County, Mo. Report of Brig. Gen. Clinton B. Fisk, U. S. Army, commanding-District of North Missouri. SAINT JOSEPH, MO., July 4, 1864. Lieut. Col. Daniel M. Draper, with a detachment of the Ninth Cavalry Missouri State Militia, attacked a band of guerrillas in Platte County yesterday, killing 6 and wounding 3 of the villains. We cарtured 15 horses and many revolvers. Two of our men were wounded. Among the dead bushwhackers was the leader of the band who committed the murder in Buchanan County in May last. CLINTON B. FISK, Brigadier-General. Col, O. D. GREENE, Assistant Adjutant-General, Saint Louis. JULY 3-25, 1864. - Operations in the vicinity of Baton Rouge, La., with skirmish near Benton's Ferry, on the Amite River (25th). REPORTS, ETC. No. 1.-Itinerary of the Second Brigade, Cavalry Division, Nineteenth Army Corps, Lieut. Col. Thomas Logan, One hundred and eighteenth Illinois Mounted Infantry, commanding. No. 2.-Maj. Franklin Moore, Second Illinois Cavalry. No. 1. Itinerary of the Second Brigade, Cavalry Division, Nineteenth Army Corps, commanded by Lieut. Col. Thomas Logan, One hundred and eighteenth Illinois Mounted Infantry.* July 3. The One hundred and eighteenth Illinois Volunteers, in obedience to orders received, left Port Hudson and arrived at Baton Rouge the same day; distance, twenty-five miles. Captured 2 prisoners on the march. The usual pieket duty has been done during the month. July 17.-With 400 men made an expedition across the Amite River. Killed 2 and captured 8 prisoners. Returned the following day; distance, twenty-one miles. July 21.-With 400 men went across the Amite, crossing at Benton's Ferry. Captured 1 prisoner. Returned to camp the following day; distance, 15 miles. July 24.-Sent Maj. Franklin Moore, Second Illinois Cavalry, with 136 men across the Amite River, crossing at Benton's Ferry. Hereports that he attacked Captain Doyal (rebel) in his camp seven miles fro the river, whipped him, burned his camp, including 150 stand of arm and 7,000 rounds of ammunition; captured 2 prisoners and killed 15 20. Returned to camp the following day; distance, twenty-eight mile * From monthly return. No. 2. Report of Maj. Franklin Moore, Second Illinois Cavalry. Baton Rouge, La., July 25, 1864. SIR: In obedience to orders received from division headquarter dated July 24, 1864, with detachment from the Second Illinois Volun teer Cavalry and One hundred and eighteenth Illinois Mounted Infar try, numbering in all 135 men, I marched at 7 p. m. out to the Amit River, distance seventeen miles. Found the river swimming, an camped for the night. Crossed at daylight. Came upon their picker about a mile and a half from the river; drove them seven miles to plac of encampment, when I completely routed them, numbering 300 mer capturing 150 stand of arms, which were broken and destroyed fi want of transportation, 4 horses, 4 prisoners, and destroyed some 15,00 rounds of ammunition. I then fell back to the Amite River, heav skirmishing all the way, where I formed line of battle and delivered deadly fire into them, killing some 20. Casualties in my command, horses killed. Respectfully submitted. FRANK. MOORE, Major, Commanding Second Illinois Volunteer Cavalry. Captain STEIN, Acting Assistant Adjutant-General. JULY 5-6, 1864. - Scouts from Big Piney, Mo. Report of Capt. Henry B. Brown, Fifth Missouri State Militia Cavalrı CAMP BIG PINEY, MO., July 8, 1864. SIR: I have the honor to make the following report of a scoutin party sent in the direction of Houston from this place, Corporal Calver in command, with orders to capture, if possible, a noted bushwhacke by the name of Pruitt, whom we have tried to capture several time while at this place. Pruitt was also reported by Mr. Mr. Wayman as bein the individual who robbed him (Wayman) a short time ago. The scou succeeded in capturing him, and while returning with him by wa of Mr. Wayman's, and when within three miles of there, learning tha he was to be taken before Mr. Wayman, he tried to make his escap by running, whereupon the guard shot him after chasing him severa hundred yards, killing him instantly. This scout was made on the 5tl of July. Also on the 6th of July I sent out another scout under com mand of Lieutenant Muntzel, in the direction of Johnson's Mill, on the Big Piney. The lieutenant succeeded in capturing one U. S. horse and one U. S. mule; also got reports of rebels being quite numerous between the head of Spring Creek Hollow and Houston. Twelve rebels crossed the Rolla and Springfield road half a mile east of my camp July 6 I sent out a scout after them, who chased them six miles in the direc |