Page:History of Iowa From the Earliest Times to the Beginning of the Twentieth Century Volume 1.djvu/172



had been sent up from St. Louis and, selecting a site near the forks, returned to Fort Sanford for additional supplies. The water had become so low by the last of May that steamers could not go up and he was obliged to use keep boats and wagons. His nearest post-office was at Fairfield. He named the fort “Raccoon.” General Scott did not approve of the name fortunately and ordered to changed to “Fort Des Moines.”  The camp was laid out along the west bank of the Des Moines River, in a belt of timber near the present line of Second Street. Twenty log buildings were erected for barracks and other purposes. There were tow companies of soldiers; the infantry under command of Lieutenant John H. King, who was adjutant of the post; the cavalry under command of Lieutenant William N. Grier.

The Indian agent was Major Beach whose interpreter was Josiah Smart and, in addition to the garrison, there were several Indian traders and mechanics most of whom became permanent citizens after the fort was vacated. Settlers were not permitted by the treaty to occupy the lands recently acquired until October, 1845. The Government established a reservation one mile square around the fort, which was maintained until after the post was abandoned in 1846.