1879

Adjutant General E. D. Townsend informs the Commanding General of the Atlantic that the Secretary of War George W. McCrary has ordered that all "movable property" at the Carlisle Barracks be turned over to the Indian Bureau as part of the transfer of the Barracks from the War to Interior Department. McCray encloses the letter to the Secretary…

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…

Acting Secretary of the Interior A. Bell informs the Commissioner of Indian Affairs that the War Department has transferred the buildings at the Carlisle Barracks to the Interior Department and that Special Agent Richard Henry Pratt is authorized to create an Indian school at the Barracks using the buildings. He also grants authority for Pratt…

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. 

List of supplies requested by Richard Henry Pratt for the school he is preparing to establish at Carlisle Barracks. Requested supplies include clothing, fabric, sewing supplies, tableware, cooking supplies, and firefighting equipment.

Pratt refers to this request list in a letter sent to the Commissioner of Indian Affairs the following…

Richard Henry Pratt forwards his Supplementary Property Return forms to the Commissioner of Indian Affairs.

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.

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.

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 barracks in preparation for his arrival with students, and asks for permission to repair the barracks buildings after the property is…

Letter from Richard Henry Pratt to Acting Commissioner of Indian Affairs 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…

Acting Secretary of the Interior A. Bell returns an Estimate of Expenditures (not attached) for building repairs at the Carlisle Barracks to the Commissioner of Indian Affairs. As Bell deems these repairs to be necessary to converting the Barracks to a school, he grants Richard Henry Pratt authority to spend $1,332 on supplies.

Note:…

Samuel Chapman Armstrong of the Hampton Institute writes to Richard Henry Pratt discussing arrangements for Indians coming to either Hampton or Carlisle, as well as arrangements to transfer the Florida prisoners north. He also notes that Pratt can turn to the American Missionary Association for funding.

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…

Jonathan Cornman requests to manufacture and repair shoes for Indian women and children that are rumored to be quartering at the Carlisle Barracks in the fall.

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…

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…

Descriptive Statement of young people recruited for the Carlisle Indian School from Pine Ridge Agency, as prepared by the acting Indian Agent for Pine Ridge J. W. Alder. Of the 27 names on this list, only 18 ultimately traveled to Carlisle, the parents perhaps having changed their minds about sending their children. The names of the other 9 do…

Herman Berg writes to Commissioner of Indian Affairs E. A. Hayt regarding the Government's intention to establish an Indian school in Carlisle. Berg requests the opportunity to furnish supplies to the school and states that he will provide ample bonds in order to fulfill any contract.

Note: This item was copied from U.S. National…

Commissioner of Indian Affairs Ezra A. Hayt's reply to a letter from H. E. Behn seeking appointment as a teacher at the Carlisle Indian School wherein Hayt suggests that he directly contact the head of the school, Richard Henry Pratt, to apply.

Descriptive Statement of young people being sent to the Carlisle Indian School from Rosebud Agency, as sent by the Rosebud Indian Agent Cicero Newell. 

Commissioner of Indian Affairs Ezra A. Hayt's reply to a James E. Rhoades, a man who requested that two Shawnee boys who he is looking after "be sent to school at Hampton, Va." Hayt lets Rhoades know that he can arrange to have the boys be educated at Hampton Institute or Carlisle Indian School. Hayt describes Pratt's plan to go to Indian…

Acting Secretary of the Interior A. Bell grants authority to purchase a list of articles and supplies, including bedding and clothing, amounting to $2,000, on the open market rather than through regular government contractors. This action was taken because, as the letter notes, the students needing the supplies are already currently on their…

Acting Secretary of the Interior A. Bell writes to the Commissioner of Indian Affairs, returning and approving lists of articles and supplies required at the Carlisle Indian School to be purchased either under contract or through the open market. The lists are attached.

Note: This item was copied from U.S. National Archives microfilm…

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.

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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,…

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" (probably agent…