Ryason

At Yellow Banks, Major S. S. Phelps praised most troops’ discipline, except for a few rowdy soldiers from McDonough County who threatened old Chief Tama and his wife. Despite the chaos, Major Phelp and Mr. Joseph Smart defended the couple, escorting them to safety. Capt. Butler advised against providing supplies to Tama, but Smart, fluent in their language, organized secret assistance. The narrative touches upon tensions leading to violence against settlers and the subsequent Native response, highlighting the complexities of these early interactions.