The Burlington weekly hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington [Iowa]) 1860-1876, 1864-01-23

/ THE INDIAN CAMPAIGN OF lSGi.--The
Sioux war is by no means ended, and the
suffering and destitution Of the different
! bands who were driven from their hunting
grounds, or otherwise deprived of their
means Of supply for the winter, by the OPP
| Grafton Of the last campaign, is ahindrance
| to hostilities on their part, that may not
last beyond the cold weather. The Indian
wardrobe and Indian larder are easily
supplied when the winter is gone. In view,
therefore, of the necessity for active opera
ton against the Sioux nation this coming
summer, it is to be presumed that the COM
mander of this military department., with
his subordinate commanders of this State,
has under consideration, if he has not al
ready adopted, some plan OF campaign
which looks to re-establish the authority Of
the Government over the revOlted tribes,
and to securing the people of the border
from any further danger or fear Of Indian
invasion. The experience Of the past two
years may and probably will suggest that,
perhaps, the easiest and quickest way to
conquer the Indians is-while maintaining
a sufficient guard upon the exposed border
to penetrate, seize and hold the country
now occupied by them. driving them from
the fertile plains and valleys to the sands
and mountains north. Once dispOssessed
OF their choice hunting grounds in Dakota
and Idaho, and limited on the Missouri 70
its extreme northern valley, the Sioux will
soon sue for peace aud accept such terms as
the interests Of the border and the policy of
the Government may dictate.
Since Captain Fisk's proposed new route
to Idaho has attracted public attention, it
has been understood that Gen. Miller, and
perhaps others Of the army officers Of this
district, have been and are in favor OF
shortening the line of border defense, and
establishing Il base of operations nearer 70
the hunting grounds OF the Sioux, by ma
king a line Sof temporary military posts
from Fort Abercrombie to permanent
military post on the Missouri at Old Zee
village, o. other favorable point for cross
ing that river. II is believed that the re-
suit OF this would be 10 keep the Indians
north OF that line, and TO give a better base
for offensive operations during the sum
rner and fall. If, in addition to this, such
permanent posts are established TO the
west Of Missouri, Is will form depo;s Of
supple for small force to be kept in that
Icountry. m active summer campaign
which need not include, in all, a force Of
more than two thousand men. those in the
| field. TO be mounted and moving without
baggage end the Indian war, and en-
able the present administration 10 carry
out with the Sioux its purpose Of locating
these Indians upon limited territory where
they can he controlled and watched by
small forces OF military.
With a probability of bloody war be-
tween the miners of idaho and the Crows,
| breaking ont in the spring, and need OF
protection there for miners and settlers, as
shown by the many murders the Crows
have committed upon the whites the last
| year. the proposition 10 establish a line Of
military posts from Fort Abercrombie to
the head of the Yellowstone, becomes of
OF the greatest importance in a military
point of view, and will no doubt receive
| proper consideration. AS General Miller
takes his place as governor Of Minnesota
this week, the public will look to his inau-
gural with his suggestions in connection
| with this subject.
1t is somewhat pertinent to the subject
| that if this plan be adopted it will relieve
| the country at once from one trouble grow
ing out of Indian hostility, by making il
safe for emigrants TO move upon a direct
| route to the mines, in parties properly or
ganized, ard then if the Government con-
tnues TO protect emigrants across the coun
try, we may hope to see Captain Fisk lead
| thousand men from Ridgely or Aber
cromb bic, by his proposed new route, to the
gold lands Of 1daho.-.St. Paul Pioneer.