The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1864-12-02

The Indian War..-Department Of the
rorthwest...lsepOrt OF Con. Pope.
The Army and Macy Gazette publishes
Gen. PORES official report of the opera
tons against the Indians. The document
concludes thus:
The peace which will be made with Indians
under the instructions 1 have given to Gems.
Sully and Sibley is based simply upon the un-
Outstanding that the Indians on the one hand
behave like themselves and do not modest the
whites, and on tho other hand that the whites
shall be made to deal fairly with the Indians
and not modest them in any way. The military
authorities undertake to enforce good conduct
on both sides, and will have the power, if not
interfered with, to do so thoroughly. As such
peace involves neither annultles nor presents,
and holds out no prospect in violating it except
hOstilities, it will probably be lasting. Hither-
to it has been the practice to accompany every
treaty of peace made by Indian agents with ex-
pensive presents of goods and supplies of va
rious kinds, and the Indians naturally under
stand that these are given as brides to keep the
peace, and because the whites are afraid of
them, and of course they observe such treaties
they need further supply of presents (ammu-
milton, goods, &c.) In fact, it has been for
years saying with the Sioux along the great
mail route to California, that whenever they
became poor, and needed blankets and powder
and lead, they had only to 60 down to this
great mail and emigrant route and kill q few
white people, and there would be another
treaty of peace which would supply all their
wants.
1t is beyond question that such system of
treaty making is, of all Others. the most i'm
polite, whether negotiated with savage or
civilized people, and leads in either case to
constant and increasing hostilities.
| intend settling peace upon Indians in
this department to do away entirely with this
system, which aside from its effect in stimu-
lating and encouraging breaches of treaties of
peace, is always attended with fraud upon the
government and upon the Indians.
shall send up in the spring some compa-
MES of cavalry to make a cantOnment for the
summer at some point on the lake, and to re-
main there until the last possible moment In
the Autumn, with the view of drawing the va
rious tribes of Indians to that point and fur
nishing them with facilities Of trade during the
Summer and Autumn. Such a cantOnment
kept up for two or three seasons, will have .
most benefnial effect upon the Indians, as all
whites, except authorized traders acting under
the supervision of the military authorities.
will be prohibited from going into that region.
1t is proper to remark that extensive strata
of coal have been found at Fort Rice, one vein
six feet thick. This coal-feld extends towards
the southwest, and it is supposed outcrops on
the slopes of the Black Hills How far north
it extends is not yet known. The existence of
this great coal.field half way between the great
Lakes and the Rocky Mountains is fact the
value of which cannot well be over-estimated,
Aside from furnishing fuel for the navigation
of the Upper Missouri River, it is controlling
element in the location of railroad across the
great plains to the pacific.
Its extent and character will soon be devel-
oped by the troops from Fort Rice and other
points on the Missouri River.
l may state, finally, that the government
may safely dismiss all apprehensions of Indian
wars in the Northwest. Small Indian raids
there doubtless will be, as there always have
been, for stealing horses bat no hOstilities on
any considerable scale are likely again to &C.
cur. A small force. such as is designated in
this report, will be quite sufficient to protect
the frontier and the emigration.
Gen. Sully, commanding District of Iowa
and the Indian expedition, Gen. Sibley, COM
manding District of Minnesota, and Gen T. C.
Fl. Smith, commanding District of Wisconsin.
are entitled to my warmeSt thanks for their
valuable services and the cordial good feeling
which they have manifested during their entire
term of service in this Department..
To Gen. Sully, l particularly desire to invite
the favorable consideration Of the War Depart
ment. His arduOus and distinguished services
in organizing and conducting the Indian expe-
dition and beating and dispensing the combined
tribes of Indians in two considerable battles
at such remote points and in so difficult coun-
try, and in thus bringing the Indians to the
necessity of asking peace from the Govern
ment entitle him to peculiar consideration.
and make 1t proper for Inc TO renew the appli.
cation heretofore transmitted tOr his promo
ton. He has earned it fairly, and trust and
believe that the Government will not hesitate
TO confer it upon him.
To the reports of Gems Suliy and Sbcy and
to those of their subordinate commanders. |
refer for details of the various military opera.
tons herein sketched, and for proper repre-
sentation OF The distirg uisLcd conduct OF the
several officers. and of The troops under their
command. l cheerfully indorse their recon-
mendations in behalf OF the officers and soldiers
in question.
l an, General respectfully your obedlent
servant. John POPE,
Ma or-Ieneral Commanding.