495.(RETURNING CAPTURED CHEYENNE CHILDREN) An unusual early Indian War eraprinted circular, 1p. 8vo., signed in type by Asst. Adjutant General EDWARD D.TOWNSEND, Washington, Nov. 12, 1866 addressed to Bvt. Major General JosephHooker as commander of the Dept. of the Lakes, Detroit, Mich. In part: "Fromthe communication of Mr. William W. Bent...it appears that a stipulation hasbeen made with the Cheyenne Indians to deliver up to them two children who wereprisoners at Sand Creek. One of the children is said to be near Denver...and theother is said to be 'exhibited in a show', somewhere inIllinois...please...inquiry...for the latter, and if found send it to theHeadquarters Military Division of the Missouri...should there be opposition onthe part of the person having custody of the child...please inform him of thestipulation and if he persists in refusing, report...for the Secretary'sorders...". William W. Bent (1809-1869) a former Indian agent and trapperwas asked by Cheyenne Chief Black Kettle in 1864 to negotiate a peace betweenthe White population of Colorado and the region's Indian tribes after thepeaceful tribe had repeated problems with US troops. On Nov. 29, 1864,apparently seeking political support in the coming year's state election, thegovernor of Colorado and Gen. Chivington broke a peace agreement by attacking alarge Indian village at Sand Creek killing, mutilating and wounding many Indianwomen and children, including forcing some Indian children into captivity. Thisevent in American history is known as the Sand Creek Massacre. Usual folds, elsevery good $75 - 100