Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1858-11-17
WEDNESDAY MORNING, NOV. IL, 1s5s
Indinn Wnrs Mith dc United states.

The New York Herald of Monday devotes a
whole page to accounts of the Indian Wars IN
Oregon, Washington, New Mexico and Texas
and the official report, by General Scott, OF all
the Indian battles for the past year, together
with the names of the officers engaged therein
It appears that from May, 1857, to October OF
The present year, our troops have had no less
than eighteen decisive conflicts with the Indians
in Florida, New Mexico, Texas, Oregon and
Washington Territories, which must have cost
the country an immense amount OF treasure, and
uuite a number of valuable officers and men.
The Florida war cost the Government not less
than forty millions, and probably will end when
the last Indian and runaway Negro dies natur-
al death in the everglades.
Why is it that the Indian tribes Of the United
States have become so generally hostile 1t IS
simply because they are not let alone and are
wronged and outraged by the whites-men oft
en- acting under Government authority. MOST
of the Indian wars originate with set OF sPe-
culators, land jobbers, traders, liquor venders'
and unpriucipled Indian Agents, who frequent
" embroil the tribes in fresh quarres, and pro
yoke retaliation, to advance selfish purposes.
Every Indian expedition fattens horde OF
army hangers-on, and brings profit to contrac-
tors.
The Indian war in Oregon has been marked
by wanton waste of Indian property, and IN
some cases of life, more fitting wild saVages
than civilized army. After the SPOkans had
been defeated the U s. forces came upon
large camp of the Alenes and PaloQses travelling.
The Indians fed were pursued, and a drove OF
500 horses was taken from them. The COM
mand were then compelled to remain IN camp
two DAYS to kill the horses captured! One
hundred Of the best was reserved, and the ac-
count saws ''seven hundred beautiful horses and
mares were driven in a corral and left dead -
Major Grier with his command was again sent
out. and burnt village and seven barns oil
wheat. The command then moved towards
the Coeur d'Alene Mission, burning fences and
fields and every vestige of improvement by the
roadside when the Indians sent in Father to
sue for peace" What record for Christian
nation in the year 1858 Here is another record
of the treatment of prisoners of war by Amerl-
can officers
Among the Chiefs captured was OuhI, one OF
their great leaders. A few days afterwards MS
son. the celebrated Qualchin, ca ne into camp
not knowing his father was prisoner. ne
was one of the worst and most dangerous In
dian chiefs in the Territory. He was at once
seized, and after some resistance, for he was
well armed, disarmed by the guard An order
was received from Col Wright that ne shouid
be hung at once, which was done. HIS strug-
oIes 77ere fearful, and it required SIX men to put
the rope around his neck. Quite number OF
others were hung, who were proven to have
murdered miners.
We have given elsewhere an account OF some
of the cruelties practiced by the wild Canaan
ches on their prisoners taken in battle intelli-
gent readers can decide between the meas
ure of mercy shown by the enlightened white
and the untutored red men.