The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1863-10-02
Hatch,s BattalfOn--.Why g9.u:s
Move?
JAMES b. FRY,
PrOvOst-Marshal General

Months ago, Major HATCH was commits
stoned by the President to raise batta-
lion Of cavalry, for immediate service
against the Indians The Major applied
himself directly to the work of enlistment,
and for weeks his force has been encamped
near Fort Smelling, doing nothing beyond
consuming the rations allowed by law.
Great interest has been felt, and great ex
pectations INDUCED, throughout the Safe,
in the success of this battalion, and the
more, because it was generally understood
that it was to operate independently of
local military control. Indeed, the condi-
ton upon which Major HATCH accepted
the appointment, was, that he should re-
port and be responsible to the Secretary
of War alone. The instructions accom-
panying his appointment conformed to this
condition; but, for some reason, and most
unfortunately, he has since been placed
under the orders of Pore And, SO placed,
he is, almost OF course, permitted to DO
nothing.
There is important work for this battal-
ion to do in the northern part of Dakota
The half breed traders at Pembina and St.
Joseph are at the mercy of the Sioux, and
they are forced to trade with them, and
furnish them supplies and ammunition,
Or take the alternative of losing their
scalps. Unprotected by the Government,
these traders are thus supplying these In
dams; and if such protection shall be
withheld much longer, the Sioux will have
everything they need for Winter raid on
our frontier settlements, and for vicor-
Gus Summer campaign next year. HArcn 3
battalion should be there now, and it
would have been there before now. had it
not been for the obstacles thrown in its
way by the local military authorities.
Why these obstacles are thrown in the
way of this, as of all other effective move
ments, is perfectly well understood in this
community. It is designed to have next
Summer a repetition of this years cam
paigning, with the accruing expenditure of
four or five millions more for the benefit of
contractors, and other respectable swim
oilers and patriotic thieves. The object of
the military authorities in this Department
Is not to kill Indians, but to make money.
They have had extraordinary luck, the past
season, in retaining from doing the one,
and in accomplishing the other; and their
teeth are already watering over the pros
pect CT another years campaigning, in
which the public treasury shall be the only
sufferer. 1twould spoil all this if HArcns
battalion were permitted to finish, during
this Fall and Winter, such of the Sioux as
may escape SULLY, who alone seems to
show the desire or capacity to whip them.
1t is known that HATCH is brave, dashing
man, thoroughly acquainted with the Sioux
character and country; and it is feared
that he may, like SULLY, in2iscreetly kill
the devils of the plains, and SO spoil all
chances for another years plundering.
Ii Major HATCH is not allowed to move
directly, he will owe it to himself to re-
sign. A vast deal has been expected of
him, and if he is prevented by his supe-
rlors from fulfilling such expectations, he
ought not to suffer himself to share the
responsibility of failure. Let him march
his battalion to the plains, at once, or
throw his sloulder-straps in the faces of
those who trife with him and with the
interests and security of our people.
The Time For the Departure OF our