The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1864-03-25

IDAHO GOLD MINES.
IMPORTANT DIRECTIONS TO
EMIGRANTS.
COMMUNICATION FROM
GENERAL POPE.
Notice to Emigrants by Way Of
the Missouri River and across
the Upper Plains, to
the Idaho Mines.

the Idaho Mines.
HEADQUARTERS DEPT oE THE NORTHWEST
MILWAUKEE, Wis, March IA, 1864. {
The indication of heavy emigration to the
mines of Idaho during the coming season,
across the Plains and by the Missouri River
seem to render it proper for the General
Commanding this Department to publish some
information and suggestions which emigrants
will find it judicious to consider carefully.
All information and every indication from
the plains Of the Upper Missouri, point to .
concentration of the powerful band of the
EhanktOnais Sioux (who were driven to the
Upper Missouri by the expeditions of last YEAR,
with the Unkpapa and other strong bands of
the Teton Sioux south Of the Missouri, to OBJ
struct the navigation of that river to resist the
passage of Emigrants across the upper plains.
1t seems likely now that a concentration of
these Indian tribes will be made ready early in
the spring at some point on the Missouri above
the mouth of Grand river.
A large force of cavalry, under Gen. Sully,
will march against them as soon as the grass
on the prairie is sufficient to subsist the ami
mails, and give battle to the Indians, or other
wise secure peace with them. Until this expe-
dition moves it will be unsafe for any steamers
to pass up the. Missouri river above Fort Pierre.
The force under General Sullv will be strong
enough to beat the Indians if found concen-
trated on the river. If the Indians fail to make
this concentration heavy forces of cavalry will
scour the country on both sides of the river,
and after driving the Indians into the interior,
will pursue them during the summer, iand either
force battle or a peace.
1t is recommended therefore, to emgrants
by water, that they communicate with Gen.
Sully on the Upper Missouri River, and do not
attempt to pas in advance of his forces until
notified by him that it will be safe. As many
as possible of the boats carrying emigrants
should 90 together. under some sort of organ
ization an! it will be found judicious to pro-
tect the vulnerable parts of the boats by plank
ing them so as to be bullet-prOof 1t is scarcely
necessary to say that the navigation OF the Up
per Missouri Is difficult and that the river in
many places is very narrow and tOrtucus. In
dams in ambush and under cover Of the banks,
number of whites on steamboats,. By keeping
in rear Of General Sully, and only continuing
their voyage up the river af er he notifies them
that danger is past, the emigrants will no
doubt be able to prosecute their journey in
safety.
Such of the emigrants are going with
trains overland from any point on the Missouri
,kc IT, Iol Hndf N 20
leet point of rendezvous on the river at which
to assemble as large a force as possible, and
there make some organization which will place
the whole body under the direction Of those
members of the party most experienced in In
dian warfare and travel on the plains. Not
less than three hundred men in a body. should
attempt to cross the plains at present f.om any
point on the Missouri River above Fort Pierre.
1t is hoped that by the middle of the summer
the expeditions against the Indians will Lave
rendered the travel across any portion of the
upper plains as safe as travel usually is in the
Indian country. where, under any circum-
stances, men should journey in considerable
parties and with every precautlOn.
A large cavalry force will set out from Min
nesota as early as possible in the spring, for the
Missouri river, near the mouth of Long Lake,
and emigrants from that State can avail them
selves of the protection OF this force if they
think it necessary.
These suggestions and this advice are COM
muneated thus publicly that they may reach
as many as possible of these who propose TO
emigrate to the gold regions this summer.
1t is essential to their security that they con-
slider and act upon this advice carefully.
1t is proper to repeat with emphasis, that the
country along the banks of the Missouri, above
Fort Pierre, will most likely be unsafe until
Gen. Sully passes up.
(Signed) JNO. POPE.
Maj Genl. U. s. A.,
Commanding Dept. of the Northwest.
Papers throughout the State please copy.