Read the following letter from Henry Leavenworth, founder of Fort Leavenworth, to Mr. E.G.W. Butler. Write a paragraph that evalutes its credibility, purpose, and point of view. Compose complete sentences that use proper spelling and grammar. Refer to the words in bold at the end of the letter to determine the meaning of unfamiliar words. Leavenworth May 8th 1827 Sir, I met...Major Ketchicm with a portion of the public property from Council Bluffs. [A] short examination of the country convinced me that there was no good site for military purposes on the left bank of the Missouri within the distance of this place... I accordingly proceeded up the river 18 or 20 miles and found a very good site for a cantonment on the right bank of the Missouri about that distance from this place. In addition to the advantage of being on the same side of the Missouri as the road to Santa Fee this position/ the one I have selected possesses the very material one of having a dry and rolling country on the South and South West of it. This will greatly contribute to the healthiness of the position. In addition to all this I can safely say, that there is no other place that will answer the purposes required, within the prescribed distance of the Little Platte. The four companies of the 3d Inf ordered here were necessarily detained waiting for transportation for a few days. They will probably be here in a few days. There will no doubt be very soon many tribes of Indians to visit this new post, and if not inconsistent with the views of government I should be happy to have Mr Dougherty Indian Agent recently established at Council Bluffs ordered to this new post. There are many good reasons why this should be done. I may hereafter do myself the honour to state some of them. At present I have neither time nor stationary. I have the honour to be Very respectfully your obedient servant (signed) H. Leavenworth
The letter from Henry Leavenworth to Mr. E.G.W. Butler appears to be credible, as it is a document written by the founder of Fort Leavenworth and is discussing the selection of a site for a new cantonment. The purpose of the letter seems to be to inform Mr. Butler of the decision to choose a site on the right bank of the Missouri River and to request the presence of Mr. Dougherty, an Indian Agent, at the new post. Leavenworth's point of view is that the chosen site is the best option for military purposes due to its proximity to the road to Santa Fe and the healthiness of the location. Overall, the letter is written respectfully and provides detailed explanations for the decisions made by Leavenworth.
- Examination
- Cantonment
- Prescribed
- Stationary