The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1860-12-06
ABRIDGMENT OF THE
REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF war.
WAR DEPARTMENT,


December 3, 1850. {
SIR--The authorized and actual strength of the army
remains tantiay the last year. In conform
ity with the policy which announced to you in my last
annual report the troops available for against
hostile Indians and others that have become since that
tune have been engaged in campaigns of the greatest
tvity This year the army has been constan in field
and upon active footing.
The department OF Texas has restored to TRANQUIL
lily and relieved from all apprehension of invasion or mo-
lesation by the armed and maraudng bands the Mex
lean frontier 1t has been found necessary to occunv
with sufficient force the commanding posts and near
the Rio Grande so we have that frontier well protected
from Fort Fillmore to Fort Brown. These important
ovements have been made without much toll and
fatigue and whilst looking mainly defences upon the
Rio Grande an important consideration was also IN hold
in check the Camanche Indians of that frontier and to
protect the settlements from their maraading parties
The hostilities of last with the Kiowa Camanche
Indians upon the head waters of the Arkansas and the
Canadian have not yet been brought to a close very
active campaign has been carried against them and
they have been met and chastsed several occasions
In one OF these engagements towards the head Of
the Republican Fork of Kansas river large body of
these indians was encountered by Captain Sturgs of the
First Cavalry and severely chastsed They have been
broken and dispersed in every direction but being en-
tirey nomadic, they concentrate and again make
hostile demonstrations somewhere within the boundaries
of the immense region over which they roam.
In New Mexico the outI ages and depredations of the
Indians have been very daring and numerous and nearly
the whole territory be said to have been infested by
them throughout the To make effective cam
pagn against these Indians and chastise them in an
exemplary manner it became necessary take large
part of the troops stationed in Utah southwark to New
Mexico. This march performed in very creditable
manner and in good time. The troops after accomplish
ing march of six hundred miles through trackess
% hS sa to ana fk nr
secute campaign against the numerous and powerful
tribe of the Navajoes. There is little doubt but that
these savages will with chastsement which has
become necessary in order to bring them under control
again.
the region of Carson Valley in the territory of Utah
broke out hostility to the whites very suddenly this
summer, and committed many atrocious murders
party of volunteers from the vicinity of Washoe silver
mines was organized under the command of Mr. Ormsby
for pursuit The Indians who were numerous,
ceeded in drawing this party into ambuscade driving
them back with considerable loss Amongst the killed in
that unfortunate affair the leader Mr.. ormsby him
self.
Before however, the United States troops could reach
the spot the people of the country determined to organ
eecually the savages. few days were sufcient for
the purpose, and considerable number active
enterprsing rallied under the command Of the ceIe
brated Texan ranger, Colonel J. c. Hays and after
equppng themselves as best they could they set out in
pursuit of the Indians At no great distance they
overaken by these volunteers, in conjunction with
tachment Of United States troops, who joined them.
They commenced at once the attack The Indians
very powerful in numbers and strong in position and
assisted greatly if not commanded by white
But the practsed eye of the cool and daring leader
bled him to lead the assault with such skill that the
vastly superior number of the Indians awaited them
nothing. They driven from their strong position
after severe conflict and finally put to complete route
is nor have they since rallied given much for
uneasiness to the settlers.
send herewith the report of this expedition furnished
by Colonel Hays to the Governor of Utah. and by him
sent to this department Great is due to this gallant
officer and the under his command for this timely and
efficient defence Of the inhabitants of that remote portion
of territory The United States troops after verv
rapid and way credtabe reached the neigh
borhood of these transactions just in to engage in
and do good service in the action and by
afterwards efectuay to quell every symptom of hos
ty amongst the Indians The interest and number Of
citizens in that region deemed by the command
ing officer of the department of sufficient Importance re-
quire the establishment Of military post there, which
has accordingly been done
The Snake Indians in Washington territory, on the
t-n Enrp riHr Enrt U-,IIa
Walla have been hostile during the past season. and al
though campaign undertaken and prosecuted with
vgor against Them did not result in reducing them to
subordination Since the troops have been withdrawn
from active operations in the field large body of emf
grants attacked almost the borders of the settle
ments, and many Of them murdered. Efficient
will be taken to chastse these Indians.
1t should be borne in mind that whilst appropriations
have been made to sustain army upon peace footing
it has been called upon active and san
culinary for distance extending from the thirty
fifth the degree of north latitude with verv
tribes of hardy and warke Indians 1t should
be remembered ALSO that the of these operations
have been over the widest and most remote regions Of
our mountainous territories lying between the plains on