Kansas weekly herald., 1855-06-22
Ihe Stosss Expedition.


We have taken some pains to ascertain
something definite with regard to this ex-
|pedition. which, for the last few months,
has occupied the attention Of the public, and
given so much uneasiness to our venerable
ex-Reprssentative, Mr.. BENToN, and Mr..
Commissioner MAHYPENNY. To Judge
from what has occasionally appeared In the
columns of our cotemporaries, from differ
ent parts ofthe country, and the fierce phil
ippics that have been hurled against the
ssSioux Expedition" by these gentlemen, it.
might be inferred that not only the Sioux,
but all the red skins OF the Western prairies
were to be wiped oiit, and that an army un-
der General HARNEY was assembling on
the frontiers for this object. Such, howev-
er, from all we can learn, is not the case.
The facts appear to be simply these:
The authorities at Washington, in conse-
quence of the difficulties of last year on the
Platte, came to the determination, and
which, in our opinion, they were justified in,
to punish the Indians concerned in the MUIR
ders and robberies in that region, and to
keep the remainder in order and subiection,
by the presence of an increased military
force. s
The orders of General ScoTT, heretofore
published In our columns, direct that cer-
tain force should be placed under the COM
mand of Gen. Harvey for these objects
These troops, with exception of four
companies. are all Infantry, and have
been, and are to be employed to establish
new post in the Sioux country, at or in the
vicinity of Fort Pierre, the trading house of
the upper Missouri.
The Dragon Com panies will doubtless
be employed for the present in scouting
along the frontier settlements of Kansas,
and Nebraska, until some of the new regi-
ments, authorized by the last session of Con-
gress, can be organized and brought into
the field; for, it would be worse than useless
to enter the Sioux country in persuit of the
offending Sioux bands, with an inadequate
force. Justice to the Indians demands that
an imposing force should enter their coun-
try, for by its presence those concerned In
the outrages on the Oregon route, would ell
ther be delivered up, or driven from their
bands, while the presence of a handful oil
troops would invite combination and lead to
hostilities which, in the end, would inevita
bly, lead to the destruction of the In
dams.
| The newregiments which have long been
needed for Indian service in Texas, New
Mexico and the Northwest, were not au.
thorized, owing to the dilatory action ol
| Congress-, until the last day of the session
scarcely three months since, and of course
their organization IS not yet complete
They cannot take the field yet uuder three
months, and if these troops are to compose
the 'Sioux Expedition and we hear of nc
other available force, it is our opinion that
no active operations can be commenced
this summer.
The country inhabited by the Sioux i'm.
plisaten in the troubles on the Platte is al
least 500 miles from Fort Leayenworth
and no expedition, with any hope of success
can venture to start on the plains so late In
the season as the 1st of September, the
Iearliest day that the new regiments Car
take the field; for the bleak prairies along
the base of the Rocky Mountains are visi
ted with such fierce storms during the win
ter months, that it would be extremely haz
ardous for a force of any magnitude te
move upon them during that period o
the year.
We have thus gone somewhat into detail
IN this matter, for the purpose OF placing the
Expedition in its true light before the pub
| lie, and showing where the responsibility
Of its movement lies. Had Congress, il
! answer to the recommendation of the Sec
retary of War, either called out volunteel
force, or raised the new regiments at tn.
commencement of the session, as it shoult
have done, instead of making speeches fo
Buncomb, Genearl HARVEY would hav,
taken the field earlythis spring with a force
sufficiently strong to have nipped in the but
the growing troubles in the Sioux Nation
but as it is, another year must, in all proba
: bility, pass by in state of fssmasterly mac
tivity. which will doubtless convince on
red neighbors of our inability to chastis'
them, and emboldent them to fresh eutrages.
Il SEND A SrAmP.=EHerybodY should re