Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1855-01-20
AMERICAN ORGAN.
Indian Hostilities---E -Employmen ofvoIun-
5a # w toers.

Indian Hostilities--- Employment ofyoIun-
teers.
In our report Of tho proceedings Of Congress
Thursday we referred to IA specialmessage from
the President, enclosing and fully endorsing
Communication from the Secretary of War,
recommending the employment of volunteer
force to cooperate with the regular troops in
the suppression of Indian hostilities on our
frontier. The views Of the Secretary possess SO
much general interest that we give them in do
tail. After referring to thevarious recommen-
dations he has heretofore made for an increase
Of the army, he says
"Since the date of that report his last annualre-
port, intelligence received from officers on the
frontier, and through the Department Of the Inte-
rior, from Indian agents and other sources shows
that the Indians of the western praries and noun
tains are in hostile and defiant attitude that seyc-
raj Of those tribes have entered into combinations
for the purpose of making a general war upon
the whites during the approaching spring and
summer, and that these tribes can bring into the
field from four TO six or eight thousand warriors.
Had the increase ofthe army, which was urged in
my report of December, 1853, been at an early
period authorized, the force at the disposal of the
department would have been sufficient to prevent
these combinations, and, in all probability, would
have preserved the lives Of many valuable citizens
from Indian massacre.
This measure, however, has not been acted
on, and at this advanced period, should the bills
now pending in Congress be passed, it will be
found too late to organize regular enlisted force
and place It in position in season to prevent the
anticipated attack, or to suppress it until after
much mischief shall have been DONE The only
course now left to the department. in anticipation
Of the proposed increase, is the employment of a
volunteer force to cooperate with such of the reg
ular troops as can be collected for the present
emergency and it is accordingly recommended
that authority be asked of Congress to call into
service 5000 mounted volunteers, to be organized
into companies, squadrons, and battalons, and to
serve for period Of eighteen months, unless soon
or discharged
"Should the proposed increase of the army be
authorized during the present session, it is hoped
that the two additional regiments of cavalry may
be organized, mounted and put in position to re-
lieyc the volunteers some time during the summer
or fall and the two regiments Of infantry recruit
ed and organized for service In the department of
the Pacific, and on our extreme northwestern FROM
tier, where troops are greatly needed"
Among the documents which accompany
the Presidents message, appears the following
letter from Alfred J, Vaughan, one of our In
dian agents in the West, which presents such
an alarmieg picture of the hostile feeling exist
ing among numerous warlikc tribes, that we
are sure that the suggestions Of the Secretary
will receive an early and attentive considera-
ton at the hands Of Congress:
"FoRT PIERRE, Nov. 81, 1854.
aSrR had the honor ofaddressing you on the
18th Of October, enclosing my annual report at
that time. had just returned from my visit TO
the Yellow Stone river, and could only briefly re-
mark on the late unfortunate affair at Fort Lara
mc.
" Since that time the whole ofthe Brules as well
as most Of the other bands of Sioux Indians who
we're present at the affair, have arrived in the vi
cinity of this place, and their conduct and talk
has produced the greatest excitement among the
other bands Of the Sioux tribes. Feeling that their
conduct viii draw upon them chastisement from
the government, they are urging all the others to
join with them in defence against any United States
troops that may be sent stating that the case with
which they killed the unfortunate party at the
Platte shows them that they can easily overcome
any party or number that may be sent against them.
They are untiring In procuring ammunition and
guns, arrow-ponts, and all implements of war for
this purpose
!" II is true they have been counseed by their
agents, for years past that, If they did desist
| from geing TO war, and committing depredations,
the consequence would result in troops being sent
| amongst them, and force them into measures. To
all Of which they have turned deaf ear, lulling
themselves into security by the impression that
they cannot be reached.
"The Brulies from the Platte, the 0uh-ha-pas
Backfeet, Sioux, apartofthe Yanctonies, Saus Arc
aud Muncougus bands Of the Missouri, openly bid
defiance TO the threats Of the government, and &c
so far az 10 say they do not fear the result should
soldiers come TO fight them. The rest Of the tribes
in this agency are disposed to do right, and many
of them at once would unite In exterminating the
above bands. Several of them have come yolun
tariy 10 me, and stated that any information tina
might be required, should force be sent here 4
chastise these, they will hold themselves in readi
ness to give any information relative TO their local
ity and movements in their power, and render an,
assistance that may be required Of them.
Something should be done TO show the powe
/ of the government, and that speedily otherwise
there is no knowing the result. Every mans liz
In the country IL IN jeopardy. Place yourself IL
| my situation while on visit TO the Crows Of the
Yellow Stone river, with war party Of seventy-one
stout athletic, blood-thirsty Blackfeet warriors
| travelling after ron for days-with equivalent to nc
protection at all-waiting momently for an oppor
tunty to present itself TO scalp you or any one the,
could reach with their guns then witness thu
conduct Of the Une-pa-pas and Blackfect Sioux
with one hundred OF more lodges, waiting on tn
banks Of the river for month for my return, an
in full council assembled, peremptorily, and will
every manifestation OF hostility, telling me tina
they did not want any Of their Great Fathers pres
ents-tbat they preferred scaps and stealing horse
TO anything he could give them then witness tn
conduct OF the portion Of the Yanctonies Of SOM
one hundred lodges on the bank Of the river.
stopped, through feelings Of humanity and courte
sy, to have talk with them and make them
present Of some coffee, sugar, -four, tobacco, pow
der, and balls, which purchased at Fort Clarke
knowing they would expect something, spen
some two hours or more with them in council-s
Of which they appeared 70 receive with rharke
respect and attention, when, TO my utter astonish
ment, a noted scoundrel, called and known as Re
Calf drew from his scabbard huge knife, and Gu
each one Of the sacks, and scattered the content
furiously in every direction. He then threw tn
tobacco, powder, and balls in the river, and, il
quick succession, forty or fifty guns were fred Of
all around and about me.
III am sure nothing but my GOODNESS and apparen
irmness saved me and the feeling lecture CAV
them, and the certainty Of their being punished
for such conduct, caused the interview to end a
favorably as IL did.
''The traders in this district had all proceeded
,v;th tho;r outRta far trade IN tho different point