Note (return) — IV. THE ORGANIZATION OF THE FIRST INDIAN EXPEDITION

the order for Denver's assignment to duty until further notice.206 Stanton, to whom Halleck applied207 for an explanation, deprecated208 the political interference of the Kansas senators and the influence it had had with the chief executive, but he, too, had to give way. So effective was the Lane-Pomeroy objection to Denver that even a temporary209 appointment of him, resorted210 to by Halleck because of the urgent need of some sort of a commander in Kansas, was deplored by the president.211 Denver was then sent to the place where his abilities and his experience would be better appreciated, to the southernmost part of the state, the hinterland of the whole Indian country.212 Official indecision and personal envy pursued him even there, however, and it was not long before he was called eastward.213 The man who succeeded him in command of the District of Kansas214 was one who proved to be his ranking officer215 and his rival, Brigadier-general S.D. Sturgis. Blunt succeeded him at Fort Scott.