Sioux City register. [volume] (Sioux City, Iowa) 1858-1871, 1864-04-02
1o9)es g. EmiErants by way of the
peg Flains, % tho Idaho nlinSe.
HkAD QR's. DEPT. NORTHWEST, /
Wis, March IA, 1864.

HkAD QR's. DErT. NoRTHwEsr,
M1LwAuxEE, Wis, March IA, 1864.
The indications Of ! heavy emigration
to the mises Of Idaho during the coming
season, across the plains and by the Mis-
souri, river seem to render it proper for
the General Commanding the department
to publish some information aud sugges-
tions which emigrants will find it judic
ious to consider carefully.
All information and every indication
from the plains of the Upper Missouri,
point to a combination Of the powerful
band Of the Ehanckonnais Sioux (who
were driven to the Upper Missouri by the
expeditions of last year, with the Uuk.
papa and other strong bands of the Teton
Sioux south of the Missouri, to obstruct
the navigation of that river and to resist
the passage Of emigranis across the upper
plains. 1t seems likely now that con.
centra,ion OF these Indian tribes will be
made early in the spring at some point
on the Missouri above the mouth OF Grand
River.
A large force Of cavalry, under Gener-
al Sully, will march against them as soon
as the grass on the prairies is sufficient to
subsist the animals and give battle to the
Indians or otherwise secure peace with
lhem. Until the expedition moves, it will
he unsafe for steamers to pass up the
Missouri river above Fort Pierre. The
force under Gen. Suly will be strong
enough to beat the Indians if found con.
centrated 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, and either force a
battle or peace.
1t is recommended, therefore to emf
grants b. water that they communicate
with Genl Sully on the Upper Missouri
river, and do not attempt to pass in ad.
vance Of the forces until notified by him
that it will be safe. AS many as possible
Of the boats carrying emigrants should 60
together, under some sort Of organization,
and it will be found judicious to protect
the vulnerable parts of the boat, by plan.
king them SO as to be bulet,proof. I, is
scarcely necessary to say that the naviga.
ton of the Upper Missouri is difficult,
and that the river in many places is very
narrow and tortuous. Indians in ambush
aud under cover Of the banks, would have
every advantage over even an equa! mum.
Der of white steamboats,. By keeping in
the rear of General SuIly and only con.
tinuing their voyage up the river after he
notifies them that danger is past, the
emigrants no doubt will be able to prose.
cute their journey in safety. Such of the
emigran,s as are going with trains over
land, from any poin, on the Missouri river
above For. Randall, are recommended to
select q point of rend on the river
Ut which to assemble as large a force as
possible, and there make some orgauiza.
ton which will place the whole body un.
der the direction Of those members of the
party most experienced in Indian warfare
aud travel on the plains. ......
Not less than three hundred men in
body should attempt to cross the plains
at present, from any point On the Missouri
river above Fort Pierre. It is hoped that
BY the middle of the summer, the expedi
tiens against the Indians will have rem
dercd the travel across any portion of the
upper plains as safe rs travel usually is
in the Indian country, where, under any
circumstances, men should journey in
considerable parties aud with every pre-.
caution. ..... a..:-. -.....-.... A.. s.....-
The danger from Indians is confined
almost entirely to the eouth side of the
Missouri and to the immediate banks Of
the river. A large cavalry force will Sc.
out from Minnesota as early as possible in
the spring for tho Missouri river, near the
mouth of Long Lake, and emigran.s from
that State can avail themselves Of the pro-
lection of this force if they think it neces,
sary. '.r...f nes tan.........-... ........
a These suggestions and this advice are
communicated thus publicly, and they may
reach as many as possible of those who
propose TO emigrate to the gold regions
this summer. sa........e.. T.. -.;.
It is csseuti.l to their security ,ha. they
consider and act upon this advice carefully.
|, is proper to repeas, with emphasis,
that the country along tho banks Of the
Missouri, above Fort Pierre, viii most
likely be unsafe until Gen. sully passes up.
JOHN POPE, Maj. Gen. U. s. A.,
Comm'jg Dept. Northwest.