The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1858-11-09
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PROGRESS OF THE NAHAJO VAR.
Especial Correspondents OF tho Union. ]

FoRr DEFIANCE, n. NJ, Sept. It, 1858.
This war is going be child play These Indians,
stated in my last letter. numerous brave, and
wealthy. They all well mounted and armed. The
country is mountainous and difficult to travel Every
hiding place and ambush is known by the Indians while
the country is comparatively terra inoogto to us They
have all the advantages in being the attacked We move
in columns, they in numbers, and in manner to suit
themselves. The will be protracted and costly, and
from the peculiar circumstances originating it, matter OF
discussion and inquiry in the States Hence, deem 1t
proper here refer to ts In option and possible assist
in giving the proper directl 10 public sentiment.
There have been, since jurisdiction as nation
extended this barren country, four five military
expeditions planned and organized to chasse these In
,ians each one of which, without carrying out the hos
tile design has been followed by treaty These treaties
have been grossly disrcgarded by the Indians. They
have only used them the sembance of peace and the
for the preparation Of murder and thets upon our
citizens and property. want of vigor, promptness,
energy and determination in dealings with them has
made them the insolent and domincering they
constituting this lcniency evidence of fear aud weak
part Our policy has been so easy and
vacilating that the Indians began to manifest
feeling akin contempt for us, and entertain the be-
lief that had neither the power the courage to
cbaStise them. Crime upon crime has been accumu
ating, AMI outrages upon outrages multiplying until
the consummaon of their daring hostility aud disregard
of our government plisbed by coming right
into the garrison, and Immediately under our flag
killing negro boy belonging to the commanding officer
of the post This toe without the first particle OF prov
doris, tllefts and outrages demanded atonement The
honor of government and the rights OF citizens
called for vndcaton and the Indians refusing TO comply
with just request have thus brought themselves
this Before the murder of the boy of the chiefs
had deed the troops by placing his herds upon pasture
fields reserved specially by treaty for the of gov
eminent. In fact, he into garrison with several
hundred of his warriors and virtually declared war by
stating that he intended to occupy the grounds in ques
ton ii it cost him his life. The stock kcdfby the
troops, which was followed by the same manifestations
of insoence and contempt the part of the Indians.
Shortly after this the negro boy murdered right at the
door of the commanding officer. The murderer is de-
handed and thirty days given for his delivery They
refuse to bring him in but tell the troops to go and take
him. Ten days given, after the expiration of
the thirty days They do not brin>him in yet but Of
fer pay for the murder in sheep and horses These
of course, refused by the commander few days
after the expiration of this last term of probation blow
is struck upon them by small command of twenty six
under Captain McIanc, the history of which have
heretofore given you Col Miles is then sent here carry
on vigorous war; against them. Before he
monccd operations he instructed in connection with
the Indian agent to hold council with the chiefs This
done, and five DAYS given them in which
to bring in the murderer which, if they failed, they
informed, would be the signal OF hosites They
promised to bring in the murderer On the day appoint
ed they brought in Indian boy whom they numbered
and endeavorcd to pass off his dead body that of the
| murderer The deception was transparent and their
trcachery and brtally enfod apparent and gar-
ing The next day Col Miles marched against them.
The result is stated above have been thus particular
in stating the solely with purpose TO let the public
understand the nature of the difficulty. The Indians must
bc ciastised into obedience government should
cease attempt manage and control them The in
dcations oreshatow their subsection and chassc-
mont. Unless this be done, and that ciectually,
might as well abandon them entirely
IA part OF the information contained in cores
pondents letter has been anticipated, and therefore
otui 49, Kin