Documents
The Documents section features digitized copies of documents relating to the history of the school. These documents include correspondence, graduation pamphlets, and other forms of ephemera, and have been digitized by Digital Resource Center staff. Today, these documents are preserved in a number of locations, including the Dickinson College Archives and Special Collections as well as private collections.
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Date: December 20-30, 1878
Hampton Institute Principal Samuel Chapman Armstrong responds to Commissioner of Indian Affairs E. A. Hayt's inquiry regarding the need for Captain Richard Henry Pratt to stay at Hampton to help care for and manage the Indian students. Armstrong states that it would be best for the Indians and Hampton for Pratt to remain at the school.
Note: This item was copied from U.S. National Archives microfilm reels (M234), which were filmed from the original documents found in Record Group 75, Entry 79, "Letters Received by the Office of Indian Affairs, 1824-80."
Repository: National Archives and Records Administration
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Date: January 10, 1879
Richard H. Pratt transmits his current account for monies for which he's accountable during the fourth quarter of 1878.
Note: This item was copied from U.S. National Archives microfilm reels (M234), which were filmed from the original documents found in Record Group 75, Entry 79, "Letters Received by the Office of Indian Affairs, 1824-80."
Repository: National Archives and Records Administration
Topics: Cash and Property Accounts, Finance
Format: Letters/Correspondence
View Document: 
Accounts for Monies, Fourth Quarter 1878
Date: January 14, 1879
Richard H. Pratt states that he currently has 57 male students and is looking to recruit 20 female students. He goes on to say that he plans to place most of the students from Florida on outing, believing that placing Indian students in white families where they will learn a trade will help give them "independence, self-reliance and better English-speaking." In general, Pratt believes that placing students on outing is more effective than teaching them in the classroom.
Note: This item was copied from U.S. National Archives microfilm reels (M234), which were filmed from the original documents found in Record Group 75, Entry 79, "Letters Received by the Office of Indian Affairs, 1824-80."
Repository: National Archives and Records Administration
Format: Letters/Correspondence
View Document: Ideology behind the Outing System
Date: February 14, 1879
Spencer Fullteron Baird, Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, writes to Secretary of the Interior Carl Schurz to endorse Captain Richard H. Pratt's request to establish an Indian School at the Carlisle Barracks. Baird contends that there is "no better spot" to open an Indian School because the buildings at the barracks would be well-suited for a school.
Note: This item was copied from U.S. National Archives microfilm reels (M234), which were filmed from the original documents found in Record Group 75, Entry 79, "Letters Received by the Office of Indian Affairs, 1824-80."
Repository: National Archives and Records Administration
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Date: May 29, 1879
Richard H. Pratt informs Commissioner of Indian Affairs E. A. Hayt that it will take a week to place the male students on farms in Massachusetts and then head for Florida. Pratt expects to place a dozen male students on farms in Berkshire County as well.
Note: This item was copied from U.S. National Archives microfilm reels (M234), which were filmed from the original documents found in Record Group 75, Entry 79, "Letters Received by the Office of Indian Affairs, 1824-80."
Repository: National Archives and Records Administration
Topics: Outings
Format: Letters/Correspondence
View Document: Placing Students on Outing on Farms in Massachusetts
Date: June 2, 1879
Hampton Institute Principal Samuel C. Armstrong states that they are currently educating 38 Indian boys and only 9 Indian girls, so he requests that they recruit 20 Dakota female Indian students. He requests that, if his wish is granted, Captain Richard H. Pratt be sent to secure the students and that he be allowed to bring back no more than six boys along with the girls.
Note: This item was copied from U.S. National Archives microfilm reels (M234), which were filmed from the original documents found in Record Group 75, Entry 79, "Letters Received by the Office of Indian Affairs, 1824-80."
Repository: National Archives and Records Administration
Format: Letters/Correspondence
View Document: Request to Recruit Dakota Students for Hampton
Date: June 2, 1879
Richard H. Pratt informs Commissioner of Indian Affairs E. A. Hayt that there are problems "persuading these Yankee farmers" in Massachusetts to be outing hosts. While 7 farmers are interested in hosting a student, Pratt would like 15 more.
Note: This item was copied from U.S. National Archives microfilm reels (M234), which were filmed from the original documents found in Record Group 75, Entry 79, "Letters Received by the Office of Indian Affairs, 1824-80."
Repository: National Archives and Records Administration
Topics: Outings
Format: Letters/Correspondence
View Document: Problem with Finding Outing Hosts in Massachusetts
Date: July 19, 1879
Richard H. Pratt informs Commissioner of Indian Affairs E. A. Hayt that he just returned from Florida and has to delay his trip to Washington, D. C. because he's tired and waiting for mail.
Note: This item was copied from U.S. National Archives microfilm reels (M234), which were filmed from the original documents found in Record Group 75, Entry 79, "Letters Received by the Office of Indian Affairs, 1824-80."
Repository: National Archives and Records Administration
Format: Letters/Correspondence
View Document: Delay of Trip to Washington, D. C.
Date: August 3, 1879
Richard H. Pratt sends receipt connected with his accounts for the fourth quarter of 1878.
Note: This item was copied from U.S. National Archives microfilm reels (M234), which were filmed from the original documents found in Record Group 75, Entry 79, "Letters Received by the Office of Indian Affairs, 1824-80."
Repository: National Archives and Records Administration
Format: Letters/Correspondence
View Document: Receipt for Pratt's Accounts, Fourth Quarter 1878
Date: August 4, 1879
Letter from Richard Henry Pratt to Commissioner of Indian Affairs Ezra A. Hayt suggesting an increase in the per-student funding afforded by the government to Indian schools. Pratt also encourages the Commissioner to continue pursuing Congressional approval for the opening of an Indian school at the Carlisle Barracks.
Repository: National Archives and Records Administration
Topics:
View Document: Per-Student Funding and Establishment of School at Carlisle
Date: September 2, 1879
Richard H. Pratt forwards an estimate of cost for necessary repairs to the buildings at the Carlisle Barracks. These repairs, which are needed to prepare the buildings for use by the Carlisle Indian School, are estimated to cost $1,399.00.
Note: This item was copied from U.S. National Archives microfilm reels (M234), which were filmed from the original documents found in Record Group 75, Entry 79, "Letters Received by the Office of Indian Affairs, 1824-80."
Repository: National Archives and Records Administration
Date: September 8, 1879
Letter from Richard Henry Pratt to the Commissioner of Indian Affairs, transferring his account of travel expenses from Florida. Immediately before this time, Pratt had been sent to Florida to locate, enumerate, and report on the condition of the Native Americans there.
Repository: National Archives and Records Administration
Topics: Finance
View Document: Account for Transit Expenses from Florida
Date: September 9, 1879
List of supplies requested by Richard Henry Pratt for the school he is preparing to establish at Carlisle Barracks. Requested supplies include clothing, tools, cooking supplies, and firefighting equipment.
Pratt refers to this request list in a letter sent to the Commissioner of Indian Affairs the following day.
Repository: National Archives and Records Administration
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Date: September 10, 1879
Letter from Richard Henry Pratt informing the Commissioner of Indian Affairs that he has received funds for a recruitment trip out West, and will set off that day. Pratt also requests supplies be sent to the Carlisle Barracks in preparation for his arrival with students, and asks for permission to repair the Barracks buildings after the property is legally transferred into his custody.
Repository: National Archives and Records Administration
Format: Letters/Correspondence
View Document: Request for Supplies and Repairs at Carlisle Barracks
Date: September 10, 1879
Richard Henry Pratt forwards his Supplementary Property Return forms to the Commissioner of Indian Affairs.
Repository: National Archives and Records Administration
Topics: Cash and Property Accounts, Finance
Format: Letters/Correspondence
View Document: Forwarding Supplementary Property Return Forms
Date: September 10, 1879
Correspondence from Superintendent Pratt to Commissioner of Indian Affairs Ezra Hayt noting that any communication regarding supplies will receive immediate attention.
Other documents from this same time period attest to Pratt's desperate need for supplies at Carlisle Barracks, before the arrival of the first group of students.
Repository: National Archives and Records Administration
Topics: Supplies and Materials
Format: Letters/Correspondence
View Document: Notice Regarding Need for Supplies
Date: September 10, 1879
Letter from Superintendent Richard Henry Pratt to Commissioner of Indian Affairs Ezra Hayt, forwarding drawings of the Carlisle Barracks and a copy of the transfer order. Those enclosures are not included here.
Repository: National Archives and Records Administration
Topics: Buildings and Grounds
Format: Letters/Correspondence
View Document: Letter About Drawings of Carlisle Barracks
Date: September 11, 1879
Letter from Richard Henry Pratt to Edwin J. Brooks regarding sick students discharged from the Hampton Institute. Pratt insists that too many boys were sent home, against his and the doctor's advice, and asserts that Spotted Tail and Red Cloud will be less interested in sending students to Carlisle as a result.
Repository: National Archives and Records Administration
Format: Letters/Correspondence
View Document: Medical Discharge at Hampton and Recruitment for Carlisle
Date: September 15, 1879
Hampton Institute Principal Samuel C. Armstrong informs Commissioner of Indian Affairs E. A. Hayt that he has signed his contract. He states that he's unhappy with the terms of the contract and describes the expense and difficulty of educating Indian students.
Note: This item was copied from U.S. National Archives microfilm reels (M234), which were filmed from the original documents found in Record Group 75, Entry 79, "Letters Received by the Office of Indian Affairs, 1824-80."
Repository: National Archives and Records Administration
Format: Letters/Correspondence
View Document: Difficulties with Educating Indian Students at Hampton
Date: September 21, 1879
Haus Eugen Bahn writes to Secretary of the Interior Carl Schurz regarding the news that an Indian school will soon be established in Carlisle. Bahn requests an appointment as teacher at the school.
Note: This item was copied from U.S. National Archives microfilm reels (M234), which were filmed from the original documents found in Record Group 75, Entry 79, "Letters Received by the Office of Indian Affairs, 1824-80."
Repository: National Archives and Records Administration
Format: Letters/Correspondence
View Document: Request for a Teaching Appointment
Date: October 2, 1879
Telegram from Richard Henry Pratt, at the Yankton Agency, to the Commissioner of Indian Affairs informing him that 47 boys and 17 girls from Rosebud as well as 12 boys and 6 girls from Pine Ridge have been recruited. Pratt notes that he will proceed on to Carlisle. The note suggests that Pratt was due to rendezvous with "C," who was recruiting student for the Hampton Institute, but that Pratt is going on ahead without him.
Repository: National Archives and Records Administration
Topics: Recruitment of Students
Format: Letters/Correspondence
View Document: Recruitment Report from Rosebud and Pine Ridge Sioux Agency
Date: October 2, 1879
Frank D. Karr, Superintendent of Warehouse, transmits a list of articles to be purchased for the Carlisle Barracks and asks the Commissioner of Indian Affairs for shipping directions.
Note: This item was copied from U.S. National Archives microfilm reels (M234), which were filmed from the original documents found in Record Group 75, Entry 79, "Letters Received by the Office of Indian Affairs, 1824-80."
Repository: National Archives and Records Administration
Topics: Supplies and Materials
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Date: October 2, 1879 - December 8, 1879
Edward Bloeden writes to U.S. Indian Inspector William J. Pollock looking for a job, so Pollock forwards Bloden's letter to Richard Henry Pratt. Pratt forwards Bloeden's letter to Commissioner of Indian Affairs E. A. Hayt and states that he doesn't know him well but believes he could be a good employee for the Carlisle Indian School.
Note: This item was copied from U.S. National Archives microfilm reels (M234), which were filmed from the original documents found in Record Group 75, Entry 79, "Letters Received by the Office of Indian Affairs, 1824-80."
Repository: National Archives and Records Administration
Format: Letters/Correspondence
View Document: Application for Employment from Edward Bloeden
Date: October 3, 1879
Telegram from Richard Henry Pratt in Onawa, Iowa to the Commissioner of Indian Affairs following up on a previous message regarding his orders to recruit a party of students for the Hampton Institute. Pratt notifies the Commissioner that he has started his return journey.
Repository: National Archives and Records Administration
Topics: Recruitment of Students
Format: Letters/Correspondence
View Document: Telegram Regarding Orders to Recruit for Hampton
Date: October 6, 1879
Telegram from Richard Henry Pratt to the Commissioner of Indian Affairs requesting materials and funds to erect a "picket fence six feet high to keep Indians in and citizens out" of the Carlisle Indian School campus.
Repository: National Archives and Records Administration
Format: Letters/Correspondence
View Document: Materials Request for Picket Fence