The Smoky Hill and Republican union. [volume] (Junction City, Kan.) 1861-1864, 1864-06-04
TIE NECESSITY OF A CAMPAIGN AGAINST
THE CHEYENNES.

TIE NECESSITY OF CAMPAIGN AGAINST
THE CHEYENNES.
The Indian excitement upon our Western bor-
der has in o manner subsidized, and the settlers
have returned to their homes but We fear the
danger has not passed by. We do not wish to
CRATE unnecessary alarm. nor to say anything
TO cause border settlers feeling of unea.iness.
but our duty as journalists compels US to speak
the truth. that our frontiersmen may be prepared
for any emergency. Many and contradictory
reports have gone forth in regard to the recent
outbreak and warlike attitude of the Cheyennes.
Some Of these reports were truly alarming.
representing that the whole country west of the
Solomon was being devastated by q savage foe.
that Salna was burned, and that women and
children were being massacred without mercy,
while, to tell the truth. there was not probably
one hostile Indian within sixty miles of that
section. Such reports of course alarmed the
settlers the timid ran, and they, to justify their
cunning. magni6ed the story until the whole
upper country was stampeded. Such an affair
is disastrous to the country, alarming immi-
grants, and preventing that grand desideratum.
the settling up of the country. All should take
warning by this last grand stampede. and before
they run be assured that something more than
their shadows pursue them.
On the other hand, since it has turned out that
no settlers were massacred. no farm houses burn
ed, no villages sacked. many would have US
believe that the killing of Walker was the result
Of q mere drunken spree. unprecedented by the
Indians, and that the danger has rassed away
with the fumes of the whiskey which they are
represented to have drank and reports are being
circulated to that effect, thereby misleading the
authorities, and giving our settlers feeling of
security which is not warranted by the facts.
These last are calculated to do as much mischief
as the first
We have been placed in a position 10 learn
the facts in the case. and believe that the attack
upon the Cow Greek Rancho was not the effect of
whisky, or o mere freak, but o premeditated
thing. and part of general policy to clean out
oil the ranches in that vicinity. and on the Santa
Fe road. run off the stock. and prepare for gen.
eral war with the whites. The reception they
met at this ranch from the Prater boys dampened
their ardor somewhat. but has not brought them
to soliciting peace. Attacks were made on other
ranches stock run off, and trains robbed, but
with no further loss of life. as we have learned.
although several men are missing from Salina,
who wero out hunting. The Cheyenues had
communicated their designs several days before
to the kiowas. ArapahOes, and Apaches, and
they carried the news to many OF the ranchmen
and even the Cheyennes told several white per-
sons. who had married among them, of their
intentions. They have for long time been
using their utmost endeavors to engage the three
other tribes. who are in that vicinity, with them,
but thus far without success. But, unless the
'Iadians who committed these depredations are
punished. and that quickly, We may expect them
70 follow suit.
For more than year. the Indians in the vicin-
ity of Fort Larned have been insolent and over
bearing. What they desired they did not peti-
ton for, but demanded as a right, with threats.
and have repeatedly made the boast that they
.eouid take the Fort with their knives. Rations
have been issued to them as regularly as to the
troops. and the lienency with which they have
been treated has made them bold and defiant. as
they attribute that lienency to fear on the part
of the soldiers, and the want Of force sufficient to
do otherwise. They have robbed trains and hun
ters rereatedly within the past year, and that
even within sight of the Fort This state Of
&hinss has gone on from bad to worse. eulminat-
inR in the outbreak OF the Cheyennes, and
threatsnns to engage all the tribes on the plains
in Q war with the whites.
The Chsyennes number twenty three hundred
and twenty souls. and will probably muster five
hundred warriors An effective campaign against
them this summer will oyerave the other tribes.
and keep them in subjection for years. This is
demanded by the immense trade and traffic
which yearly flows across the plains-by the
interests of the hunters and ranehmen. Who
stand as sentinels guarding the borders Of eivili
zation-and that of the whole State. which is
injured in settlement and progress by trouble in
any part of it. Five hundred troops. under
skiilful commander, will subdue aud ehastise
these Indians in q manner which will prevent .
repetition of their outraees, and give peace and
security to our border. Will our Department
Commander act in this matter?
6igsi's Fight At Newmarket.
An officer Who participated in the en-.