Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1855-01-21
Wasbiugtnn gentinsl.
BILL FOR THE SUPPRESSION OF
INDIAN HOSTILITIES.

BILL FOR THE SUPPRESSION OF
INDIAN HOsTILITIEs.
We subioin copy of the bill for the suppress
sion of Indian hostlities which has been pro-
posed by the House Committee on Military AZ
fairs, in pursuance Of the recommendation Of
the President and Secretary of War. Mr..
Faulkner, the chairman of the committee, was
DESTROYS to report it on Friday, but was pre-
vented by objection under the rules. He indi-
Gated his intention TO introduce it on Monday
An Act for the Suppression Of Indian Hostihi-
Ties.
WHEREAS, the pease and security of the from
tier of the United States, and of their routes OF
emigration, demand the prompt and effective
chastisement of -outrages recently committed
by the Sioux and other powerful tribes of In
dams on both sides of the Rocky Mountains
and whereas it is eminently desirable that such
demonstration of the power of the United States
shall be made in the accomplishment of said
object as will not only effect speedy termina-
ton Of the present hostilities, but insure the
future good behavior of the lawless tribes gen.
orally as well as of those now actually hostile
Therefore
BE aenacted, dc, That for the purpose above
directed, the President be and he is hereby au-
thorized, in addition to the employment of any
military force Of the United States which may
be dispensable, to call for and except the SER
vices of any number of mounted volunteers,
not exceeding in all three thousand officers and
men, to be organized as hereinafter directed,
who may offer their services, and also any num-
Der of friendly Indians, not exceeding in all
five hundred, to be organized as hereinafter
directed, who may offer their services as mounted
volunteers, and who shall, as circumstances
direct, be employed as rangers, as scouts, hun
tiers, and guides the said volunteers to serve
for eighteen months after they shall have ar
rived at the place Of rendezvous, unless sooner
discharged: Porided, Aorecer, That the num-
Der of privates for each company of volunteers
authorized by this act shall not exceed sixty
four: And procided, further, That the said
volunteers shall be liable to serve on horse or
foot, as the President may direct.
SEC. 2. 44nd be it further enacted, That the
said volunteers shall furnish their own horses
and horse equipments, and when mustered into
the service shall be armed at the expense Of
the United States, and until discharged there
from shall be subject to the rules and articles
Of war, and shall in all respects not set forth in
the provisions and limitations of this act be or
hdUlLtu Ill tut SAINT luduucT WIN Tic pIcScHl
corps Of mounted rifemen of the United States
army Prorided hoicerer, That the portion of
said volunteers composed Of friendly Indians
shall furnish their own clothing, and shall re-
ceive in lieu Of clothing the sum Of one dollar
each per month.
SIC. 3. 4nd be al further enacted, That the
said volunteers so offering their services may
be accepted by the President in companies,
squadrons, or battalions, whose officers shall,
for all volunteers not Indians, be appointed in
the manner prescribed by law in the several
States and Territories to which the said COM
panies, squadrons, or battalions shall belong,
and that the said Indian force shall receive
such organizations, under regulations to be es-
tablished by the President, as may be found
best adapted to the character and habits of the
Indians and the circumstances of the service,
and shall be under the immediate command
and control of such officers of the army as the
President may direct not to exceed, however,
one officer for each separate coHfand or de-
tachment into which said force H. Pie organ
ized Said officers to be entitled to the rank,
pay, and emoluments of the grade to which
they may respectively be assigned during the
period Of such service; and such assignment to
he without prejudice to their rank in their re-
spective regiments or corps.
SEc A. And be IL further enacted, That the
volunteers who may be received into the service
of the United States by virtue of this act who
shall be wounded or otherwise disabled in the
service, shall be entitled to all the benefits
which may be conferred by existing laws on
other persons wounded or disabled in the mill
tary service Of the United States.
SEC. 5. Ind be 1t further enacted, That the
pay of the said volunteers, including compen.
&. ~ I'D r,cl- IF - a
in battle. shall be as follows: For officers of all
GRADES the pay and emoluments of the like
GRADES in the present corps of mounted rife
men Of the United States army for sergents
one dollar and twenty cents per day; for cor
porals, farriers, blacksmiths, and musicians one
dollar and ten cents per day and for privates
one dollar per day; that the pay Of the chief
and sub.chief Of the Indian force authorized BY
this act shall be that Of the grade which cor
responds to the number of men under their
command respectively: and the pay Of warriors
shall be that Of privates authorized by this act:
P,ouided, hocerer That IL any mounted vol.
unteer other than commissioned officer shall
not keep himself provided with a serviceable
horse and horse equipments the said volunteer
shall forfeit half his daily pay during the period
&c such service dismounted. And prorided
further. That the pay herein allowed shall be
in lieu Of all pay, allowances, and bountes now
now authorized, or which may hereafter be
authorized by law, except rations, clothing,
and Communication in money Of clothing; and
excepting, also, such claims as may be valid
under existing laws for wounds or disability
incurred in service for horses killed in action.
SEC. s. And be Il further enacted, That the
President be and he is hereby authorized to
prescribe and to vary from time to time, as
may he in his judgment expe lien,, the arms
and equipments Of the volunteers herein autho
rized to be accepted, or Of any portion thereof
SEc Z. And be ii tiythe,, enacted, That the
President be and he is hereby authorized to
add TO the medical corps Of the army Of the
United States such number of assistant sur
geons, not exceeding six, as may be in his
Judgment expedient, the officers so added to be
appointed in the same manner and to be in all
respects on the same footing as the officers Of
ihe same corps now authorized by law.
SEC. &. And be Il further enacted, That in
the event that any portion of the army of the
United States now serving on foot shall, as
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