Quite a number of soldiers passed along the road on their way to their winter quarters in the state [Arkansas]. They are just from Opothleahotah's [Opothleyahola's] camp, whither they went to give him, as they said, a brushing. They whipped such of his men as they found, but did not find the old man himself. It is estimated that they killed about two hundred prisoners, including some women and children. They captured a large number of wagons, horses and cattle and provisions. As a thing, of course, they lost several men, about 14, they report, killed and a number wounded. How many I did not learn.

The Cherokees were not allowed to fight, it is said, because the white soldiers were afraid they could not distinguish them from the enemy in battle and might kill some of them.

Oh, the evils of war! Who can estimate them? The present war no doubt is necessary to purge away the sins of the people of the United States. When the purposes of God are accomplished by this war, He will say, "Peace be still! and quiet will be restored -- the North will see her folly, will acknowledge the independence of the South, very reluctantly, start her factories again with southern cotton, make wooden nutmegs and some flints to send south, etc. Though I am no prophet, yet my opinion is that the time is not far distant when peace will be restored. England and perhaps France will interfere.

Stephen Foreman
Park Hill, Cherokee Nation