Letter : Fort Smith, Arkansas, to Col. Matthew Arbuckle

ALS written by Captain Stuart from Fort Smith on the eastern boundary of the Arkansas frontier, to his commanding officer at Fort Gibson, expressing his regret that he and Arbuckle do not agree on the need for troops at Fort Smith. Stuart states that the Indians are not hostile, and that Arkansas frontiersmen have petitioned the government for troops only for political and economic reasons. He explains that he has reported his opinions directly to the Secretary of War as he is the commander of a separate post, just as Arbuckle is, and that in addition to letters written in opposition to the posting of troops at Fort Smith, he has suggested an alternate site at S[wallow?] Rock. He concludes his letter by stating that although he knew Arbuckle was in favour of having troops stationed at Fort Smith in the past, the deaths of six soldiers, one surgeon and four citizens since August might have induced him to change his opinion. Accompanied by typed transcript.