1836 - November 9 - M.W. Batman to George Gibson

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Lieutenant M.W. Batman to General George Gibson Commissary General Subsistence

M. W. Batman (1^st Lieut. 6^th Infantry) to Commissary General of Subsistence,
Little Rock Arkansas, November 9, 1836

            I have the honor to report that I left my party of Creek Indians yesterday at a place called Irwin’s [Erwin’s] stand about 20 miles north of this place on the way to the Mouth of the Cadron where I expect to join them tomorrow evening. The roads are most horridly bad. Rains have been falling almost every day.
            I was fearful at one time that we would not get these people to their new homes without some severe difficulty, owing to causes which I deem unnecessary here to state but I now hope that a brighter sun is about to dawn on us. Nothing has been wanting on my part to conduct the Indians and to land them in their new country within kind feelings towards the White. To affect this most desirable object I have difficulties of almost every kind to encounter.
            Previous to the Indians leaving there old homes they were promised by Genl. Jesup that they should be permitted to halt within the limits of the state of Arkansas provided the authority of the State made no objecting. Yesterday I put into the hands of the Governor letters from Genl. Jesup and the chiefs in relation to this subject. I will hear his answer today, when I will write you more fully.

Source: National Archives Microfilm, M 234, Roll 237. Transcribed by Carolyn Kent.