Native American

Creek Agency, September 1, 1869. Sin: I have the honor to enclose herewith discharge and other papers of a Creek subject named Tef-fah. He says that the account of his retained pay is correct, but he further states that he is entitled to bounty, and as he has not received it, he would like to know whether it cannot be added to the enclosed account. As I know nothing about it, I respectfully refer the matter to you. I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant, F. A. FIELD, Captain, United States Army, Agent. Colonel E. S. PARKER, Commissioner of Indian … Read more

Shelbyville, Missouri, Jane 21, 1869. SIR: I wrote you some time ago concerning the claim of Nancy Kesterson, as mother of George M. Kesterson, but have received no answer. At the request of claimant I now write, again. The Second Auditor says the claim was allowed December 29, 1868, and sent to you to be forwarded. I am attorney of record for claimant. If any identification of claimant is necessary, please send blanks to her or me. Respectfully, &c., J. R. McLEOD. Commissioner of Indian Affairs. Washington, D. C.

Shelbyville, Missouri, June 21, 1869. Dear Sir: In the case of George M. Kesterson, deceased, Company L, Third Indian Home Guards, you wrote me in April last that the “claim was allowed December 29, 1868, in favor of Nancy Kesterson, as mother, and sent to the Commissioner of Indian Affairs to be forwarded.” I immediately wrote the Commissioner, &c., a letter of inquiry, but have as yet received no answer from him. Please inform me how and where we are to get the money, as the old lady is becoming discouraged, and I am anxious to get it for her … Read more

Tah-Le-Quah, Cherokee Nation: W. G. Thornton, a citizen of the Cherokee Nation, of lawful age, and to me well known to be a creditable person, after being by me first duly sworn, deposes as follows: I am a citizen of the Cherokee Nation; I am one of the associate judges of the supreme court of the Cherokee Nation. My son, Stephen Thornton, enlisted in the Third Regiment Indian Home Guards, in July, 1862, and served until some time in the summer of 1863, and died in the hospital at Fort Gibson of smallpox, in the fall of 1866. I called … Read more

Tah-Le-Quah, Cherokee Nation: Allen Ross, a citizen of the Cherokee Nation, being first duly sworn, deposes as follows: I enlisted in the Third Regiment Indian Home Guards on the 11th day of July 1862, as a private of Company I, and was discharged in May 1865. In the fall of 1865 one John W. Wright was here as an attorney to collect bounties, and it was understood that he would collect the bounty for 10 per cent of the amount collected. Ten per cent was the highest percent spoken of at any time. It was also understood that if Wright … Read more

Fort Gibson, Cherokee Nation: Jesse Bushyhead, a citizen of the Cherokee Nation, of lawful age, to me known to be a creditable person, after being by me first duly sworn, upon his oath says: I am a member of the Cherokee Nation by birth. I am a merchant by occupation. I enlisted in the Third Regiment Indian Home Guards on the 23d day of April 1863. Was promoted to sergeant major of said regiment, and served as such until the close of the war, and was honorably discharged and mustered out of the service on the 31st day of May, … Read more

No. 9 B. Pay Department United States Army, Leavenworth City, Kansas, May 28, 1866. GENERAL: I have received information which I deem entirely reliable, although unofficial, that by and through the management of some claim agent in Washington, the payment of the Indian officers in the First, Second, and Third Regiments Indian Home Guards has been ordered, and that the payment was taken entirely out of the hands of the Pay Department, and the money turned over to Judge Cooley, Commissioner of Indian Affairs, who has, or is about to pay out the same through the Indian agents of the … Read more