The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1855-05-01
From tia New YORK sirraa.
THE INDIAN Wharf.-The NECESSITY OF the IN.
CREASE IN THE ARMY.

CREASE IN THE ARMY.
Nrw YoaR April %, 1855
The erroneous statements that have from time to time
been put forth to the world through The medium Of the
press upon The subject Of Territories have tits
believed had the effect msead the minds Of those who
are not ia position ascertain the actual state OF things
upon the frontiers.
Some Of these illusions have been read by me- passed
by with the silent contempt which, they mered but /
must acknowledge that have been greatly astonished to
ace articles OF similar character emanasng from who
occupy elevated positions in political and social life and
whose opportunities for informing themselves upon these
subjects have been such TO lead me irresstbly to the
conclusion that the misrepresentation peryaang their
statements are the result of other motives than those
disseminating truth
Nv associations such to cause me 10 avoid
respondence OF this nature and bad hoped and expected
chat some other person would have taken up tits subject
and placed it before the public in its true light find
however that disposed TO DO this and there
fore submit the following remarks.
In illustration of what have stated IL Is only few
days letter made its appearance In Of the Wash
ington papers in which it il boldly and unqnai6edly
serted that exists for the apprehension Of troubles
among the Indian tribes of the prares that whatever
difficulties have heretofore occurred attributable 10 the
bad management Of the government authorities and that
the with the New Mexico Indians brought about
by the dreadful misconduct Of officers. This
author then goes 10 quote MS his authority the state
ents OF Indian traders all Of whom Of course
interested IN preventing which would seriously az
feet their traffic and probably put an entire stop TO i du-
ring the existence OF hostlitics II their policy to en-
deayor to produce the impression that the Indians are
friendly Notwithstanding they may be continually com,
hitting atrocities.
Among those who know this class Of people, their epa
taton for honesty and vecy at best very questionable
aud am inclined believe therefore, that the public Will
require some other besides theirs prove that the
government has been humhuggcd.
Az have myself passed great portion of the time br
twenty-five years. upon the frontiers have ire
queny visited the Indians Of The plains and have care
fully studied their dispositions and habits perhaps ny
conclusions may be entitled N much consideration a
those Of who write for political other motives h
those Of communicating correct information.
In regard TO the with the Indians Of New Mexico
which according the statement Of the individual before
alluded TO- existed only Eve yoarst Is fact well up'
dersood by those all familiar with the history
of that country that the inhabitants formerly nihe
prosperous circumstances, having herds
animals aud living Of peace and friendship With
the Indians This state Of things howes~, not d+
tined 10 continue aud they at length became involved
wars which the indians gained the aseendency and re-
tanned II up the time the country taken possession
Of by our government
/ was told by an old inhabani ia New Mexico that be
remembered perfectly well fifty years since, seeing
the entire face of the couniry upon that immense plan
called the Journada del Menrta literally alive with I'M
herds Of cattle and aocks OF sheepi but since then
they have almost entirely disappeared having been swept
of by the frequent nroads of those ruthless freebooter
the Apaches and gayiioes They have levied their con'
buttons with merciless and unsparng hand and wes
indeed masters Of the country the time Of the advent
our troops among them.
The Mexicane then held them In the savsh and AZ
ect awe and often enaeayored conciliao them BY aa
king treaties Of peace but these invariably violated
by the Indians who thus showed themselves entirely Dc
void Of honor good faith.
This the actual state Of things ia New Mexico Etp
Gen kearucy arrived there The Indians then boz
tile and have continued 40 up to the present moment
They welt armed aud mounted, and undonbtrdq
among the very best warriors OF the natives Of this coh
nent They have frequently encountered troops Z
battle where they have exhibited the utmost bravery aa
many 81 gallant officers and have fallen IA ihS
engagements.
ia consequence Of the dimnutiye numerical strength
army, and extent Of territory TO be defended
has been impossible for government 70 place forz
that country sufficient for its protection. The sJay H
been subjected great privaons and toll and has ~
more than deeimaied BY those mereiess barbaranA y
rapidly being annihiaied 10 detail for no other ~
than that It's Numbers inadequate 70 the serN
required
The troops have enaeavorvd to overcome By their 'A@
this very great disparity IN numbers and have Pero'n@
deeds Of arms which would have immortazed them =
warfare with civilized nations but in this tbankles ~
vice instead o. receiving the sily-mered apProba~
aDA gratitude 81 their eountrynen brave troops ~
often subjected 70 the malicious aspersons Of political Nv
agoguer who have the audaey that this waf "a
resulted from the dreadful misconduct q the Officers
that there Is necessity for increase Of the army ~
that the Secretary o. War instead Of requiring INC p
regiments for the suppression OF Indian hostlites a@
"a them for operating in Cuba.
Any who has paid the least attention 70 ne co''r
Of the present head o. the War Department will perez
At once that such accusations eynce either -
Of the subject under consideration Or are dicAsa
spirit Of yindctive amnesty, conceived in the pro@
imagination Of do,age
The Secretary Of War needs champion % rsps' w.