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.
Search Documents
Browse Documents
Date: October 24, 1879
Telegram from Richard Henry Pratt to Commissioner of Indian Affairs Hayt noting that Alfred Standing has met up with him in Wichita, escorting Pawnee, Ponca, and Nez Perce students. Pratt notes that he is investigating the possibility of using wagons to transport the pupils to the Lawrence and Gulf railroad line, as he cannot secure enough tickets on his own in Wichita. Pratt also notes that the Osage did not send enough students in their party.
Repository: National Archives and Records Administration
Topics: Recruitment of Students
Format: Letters/Correspondence
View Document: 
Arrival of Alfred Standing's Party in Wichita, Kansas
Date: October 24, 1879
Telegram from Richard Henry Pratt to the Commissioner of Indian Affairs, relaying a message from ticket agent W. F. White in Wichita, Kansas that he is unable to arrange the transportation plans requested by the Commissioner. Alternative transportation plans are suggested.
Repository: National Archives and Records Administration
Topics: Recruitment of Students
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Date: October 24, 1879
Telegram from Richard Henry Pratt to the Commissioner of Indian Affairs, asking whether the party of pupils should be transported via the Northern Pacific Railroad line as initially planned, or the St. Louis and Northern Railroad line as received.
Repository: National Archives and Records Administration
Topics: Recruitment of Students
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Date: October 27, 1879
Hampton Institute Principal Samuel C. Armstrong informs Secretary of the Interior Carl Schurz that he received a telegraph from Captain Richard H. Pratt, who is currently in the Indian Territory. Pratt stated that there are many Indian girls in the Indian Territory who would be great students at Hampton. Armstrong states that, though he would rather have Dakota girls, it would be better to have new female students from the Indian Territory than none at all.
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: October 27 - November 9, 1879
Edward Bloeden writes to Commissioner of Indian Affairs E. A. Hayt to request employment at the Carlisle Indian School. He specifically refers to being a "steward" of 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: Application for Employment from Edward Bloeden
Date: October 28, 1879
Richard Henry Pratt writes to Commissioner of Indian Affairs Ezra Hayt, informing him that his party of recruited students, met and delayed in Wichita, Kansas, safely arrived in Carlisle the previous evening.
Repository: National Archives and Records Administration
Topics: Student Arrival, Recruitment of Students
Format: Letters/Correspondence
View Document: Notice of Arrival of Group of Students from Wichita, Kansas
Date: October 28, 1879
Superintendent Richard Henry Pratt writes to Commissioner of Indian Affairs Ezra Hayt regarding Circular No. 33, regarding rations for Indian pupils. Pratt suggests that this ration rate is insufficient given Carlisle's current nascent state, and requests permission to continue using the Army's rationing tables instead.
Repository: National Archives and Records Administration
Topics: Supplies and Materials, Food
View Document: Request to Continue Using Army Ration for Indian Pupils
Date: October 28, 1879
Letter from Richard Henry Pratt to Commissioner of Indian Affairs Ezra Hayt, acknowledging receipt of change orders allowing Pratt to remain in the East at the Carlisle Indian School. Pratt also apologizes for troubles during his recent trip to Wichita, and suggests that better planning be made for subsequent recruitment trips. Student discontent of lack of supplies is discussed, and a postscript notes that a dozen Cheyenne girls at their agency are ready to be transported to the Hampton Institute.
Repository: National Archives and Records Administration
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Date: October 29, 1879
Telegram from Richard Henry Pratt asking the Commissioner of Indian Affairs for permission to travel to Washington the subsequent day.
Repository: National Archives and Records Administration
Topics:
Format: Letters/Correspondence
View Document: Telegram Requesting Trip to Washington
Date: October 30, 1879
Anna H. Haines asks Secretary of the Interior Carl Schurz if an Indian boarding school has been established in Carlisle. If so, she asks to be appointed as matron for the school.
Repository: National Archives and Records Administration
Format: Letters/Correspondence
View Document: Application from Anna H. Haines for Appointment as Matron
Date: October 31, 1879
Richard Henry Pratt writes to Commissioner of Indian Affairs Ezra A. Hayt requesting authority to purchase dormitory furniture immediately needed at the Carlisle Indian School.
Repository: National Archives and Records Administration
Topics: Supplies and Materials
Format: Letters/Correspondence
View Document: Request for Dormitory Furniture
Date: October 31, 1879
Richard Henry Pratt requests that a cooking range with a 300-person capacity be supplied to the Carlisle Indian School.
Repository: National Archives and Records Administration
Topics: Supplies and Materials
Format: Letters/Correspondence
View Document: Request for Cooking Range
Date: October 31, 1879
Richard Henry Pratt writes to Commissioner of Indian Affairs Ezra A. Hayt requesting authority to purchase personal supplies for students, including clothing and tolietries for both males and females.
Repository: National Archives and Records Administration
Topics: Supplies and Materials
Format: Letters/Correspondence
View Document: Request for Student Personal Supplies
Date: November 1, 1879
Richard H. Pratt submits a "Special" Estimate of Supplies for the fourth quarter of fiscal year 1879 amounting to $24.99. The form includes a note that the postage stamps will allow students to write to their family and friends. An explanatory cover letter is included
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
View Document: Special Estimate of Supplies, November 1879
Date: November 4, 1879
Richard Henry Pratt writes to Commissioner of Indian Affairs Ezra Hayt, requesting permission to spend $1000 on cold weather clothing for students. Pratt notes that supplies requested two months previous had not yet arrived, and that cold weather had set in at Carlisle.
Repository: National Archives and Records Administration
Topics: Supplies and Materials
Format: Letters/Correspondence
View Document: Urgent Request for Cold-Weather Clothing
Date: November 4, 1879
Richard Henry Pratt writes to Commissioner of Indian Affairs Ezra Hayt, requesting $4000 be transferred to his credit for the purposes of settling debts and paying owed salaries. A note in the file suggests that the Commissioner had a total of $7000 transferred into Pratt's account.
Repository: National Archives and Records Administration
Topics: Finance, Positions and Salaries
Format: Letters/Correspondence
View Document: Request for Fund Transfer for Salaries and Debts
Date: November 5, 1879
Richard Henry Pratt requests approved funds be transferred to his credit, so that supplies can be purchased.
Repository: National Archives and Records Administration
Topics: Supplies and Materials, Request for Funds
Format: Letters/Correspondence
View Document: Request for Fund Transfer for Supplies Purchases
Date: November 6, 1879
Telegram from Richard Henry Pratt noting the arrival of Sisseton, Standing Rock, and Cheyenne River Sioux children, Green Bay Menominee children, and Chief Little Noheart at Carlisle. Pratt requests whether these children should be sent to the Hampton Institute.
Repository: National Archives and Records Administration
Topics: Student Arrival
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Date: November 6-19, 1879
Richard Henry Pratt forwards to the Commissioner of Indian Affairs a letter, sent to General Samuel Armstrong of the Hampton Institute by Green Bay agent E. Stephens. Stephens requests that two students just sent to Carlisle, Joseph Wishecoppy [Wisecoby] and Moses Nonway, be sent to Hampton to join two other recently enrolled Menominee students, Charles Shamin and Michael Oshkenamew. Pratt approves the transfer, if the Commissioner also finds it favorable.
Note: It appears these two students remained at Carlisle.
Repository: National Archives and Records Administration
Topics: Student Transfer
Format: Letters/Correspondence
View Document: Transfer of Menominee Boys from Carlisle to Hampton
Date: November 6, 1879
Frank D. Karr, Superintendent of Warehouse, informs the Commissioner of Indian Affairs that one case has shipped to Carlisle and that he has invoices for two more, which he'll ship immediately.
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
View Document: Cases of Supplies en route to Carlisle Indian School
Date: November 7, 1879
Richard Henry Pratt informs Commissioner of Indian Affairs Ezra Hayt that, at the request of Hampton Institute director General Samuel Armstrong, six Sisseton Sioux children and two Menominee boys from Green Bay, Wisconsin will be retained at Carlisle. Their addition increases the school's population to 158.
Note: The two Menominee students were Joseph Wisecoby and Moses Nonway.
Repository: National Archives and Records Administration
Format: Letters/Correspondence
View Document: Retaining Sisseton Sioux and Menominee Students at Carlisle
Date: November 7, 1879
Richard Henry Pratt writes to Commissioner of Indian Affairs Ezra Hayt regarding the quality of clothing provided to Carlisle Indian School students. Pratt complains that the partial order of clothing he received from the Bureau is not durable or warm enough, and leaves students uncomfortable and discontent. Pratt requests that he be provided with the funds to replace the garmants, and permission to purchase the clothing on the public market.
Repository: National Archives and Records Administration
Topics: Supplies and Materials
Format: Letters/Correspondence
View Document: Complaint Regarding Quality of Student Clothing
Date: November 12, 1879
Richard Henry Pratt acknowledges receipt of numerous boxes of clothing and other supplies, including an organ for the chapel.
Repository: National Archives and Records Administration
Topics: Supplies and Materials
Format: Letters/Correspondence
View Document: Acknowledgement of Received Supplies
Date: November 13, 1879
Captain Richard Henry Pratt writes to Ezra H. Hayt, Commissioner of Indian Affairs, regarding the first group of Sioux, Ponca, Pawnee, Kiowa, Comanche, Wichita, Seminole, Cheyenne, and Arapahoe children and young adults brought to the Carlisle Indian School. Pratt offers a detailed description of the journey, and then lists each individual brought to the school, organized by agency. Also included is information on each individual's name, age, gender, band, father's name, and father's rank.
Repository: National Archives and Records Administration
Format: Letters/Correspondence, Reports
Date: November 13, 1879
Richard H. Pratt provides updates on the progress he's made since Sunday. Most notably, Pratt has organized the male students into companies, and they now occupy eight rooms instead of five, the bedding has arrived, and they've started building the foundation for the chapel and assembly room.
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