Union Pacific Railroad

Western Union
September 1868

Mr. Dodge,

We learned that there were many battles between the Plains Indians and the government long before we started building the railroad. 

Here are just two examples:
In July of 1865 Indians attacked the Platte River Bridge. They killed soldiers and wagon train drivers during a three day battle.

In August of 1865 at the Battle on the Tongue River a band of soldiers killed 50 Arapaho. They destroyed the village's winter food supply, their tents and their clothes. 

Both sides were and are still very angry.

Many treaties have been signed promising land where the tribes could live peaceably, but these have never lasted very long. The white settlers and the government often broke their promises. Many tribes moved to reservations and their way of life was changed forever.

UPRR Crew

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