The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1864-03-18
THE INDIAN WAR.
Military Operations the Ensuing
Season.
ChaStiSement and Subsection of the
Hostile Sioux,
TO THE OVERLAND
ROUTE TO IDAHO.

PROTECTION TO THE OVERLAND
ROUTE TO IDAHO.
Communication from Brigadicr Gem
erai Siblcy.
HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT OF MINNESOTA,
DEPARTMENT OF THE NORTHWEST,
ST. Paul, March Q, 1861.
To the Editors Of the Pioneer:
GENTLEMEN In consequence of the
many applications made to me for infor-
nation with regard to the contemplated
military operations III this District during
the approaching season, and the general
interest manifested by the people on the
frontier to learn what dispositions are to be
made for their defence, deem it to be
my duty to state what is proper to be made
public on this subject through the medium
of the journals in this city.
The programme fixed upon by Major
General Pope embraces three distinct
objects a ....,'. ...
of the bands of savages on both sides of
the Missouri River, who continue refrac
tory and hostile.
Second, The protection ofs the overland
route to Idaho, by the establishment of
strong military posts within the Indian
country at convenient distances.
Third, The security of the Minnesota
and Iowa frontier against hostile raids.
To effect the first purpose, powerful
column of troops will take the field as early
as the season will permit, to sack and
attack the Indians, who are reliably re-
ported to have made formidable combi-
nation to dispute the passage of force
into their country, and to attack steamers
bound for the Upper Missouri River, and
any overland expeditions en- route for the
gold mines of Idaho.
The points where military posts are to be
established are not yet determined upon
with sufficient precision to enable me to
mention their precise location, but they
will be selected with the double view of
protecting the route to Idaho, and of de-
terring the savages from making demon
stration in force towards the white settle
ments, should they be disposed to do so.
The third object Newfoundland of
guarding the frontier against petty raids
is to be accomplished by the occupation by
the troops of such stations outside the line
of settlements as will serve to check the
passage of hostile parties, so far as the
number of men that can be spared from
field operations will permit, and by the
constant patrol of strong parties of cavalry
on both sides of the Minnesota River.
Scouts will also be posted at the most ex-
posed points, to give timely warning of the
approach of danger.
1t must be remembered however that
hOstilities exist between our Govern
ment and the Sioux bands, and while
they continue, the settlers on the from
tier should be prepared to cooperate
in the destruction of any small parties of
savages> who, driven to desperation by
their present miserable state of restitution
may choose to incur the inevitable risk of
an attempt to penetrate within the lines
for the purpose of plumber.
would respectfully suggest in this con
nection, that the thousand baseless and
exaggerated rumors always put in circula-
ton by frightened people, should find no
place in the public prints as they are pro-
life of injary to the best interests OF the
State. All information of reliable char
ucter will be Immediately and cheerfully
furnished from these Headquarters when
of importance sufficient to be commune
Gated.
Very respectfully your obedient servant,
II. H. SIBLEY,
Brigadier General Commanding.
Penny Wise and Pound Foolish.
We clip the following item from
Washington Dispatch:
The Government is considering the subject
of the propriety of issuing two new coins. to
be of brOnze-One and twO-cent pieces The
price of nickel is extremely high, and it is pro-
posed to substitute some other metal for it.
The owners of the only nickel mine in the
country were before the Committee of WAYS
! and Means this morning. ,'''' = i'r''
Everybody has heard of that ingenious
old miser who succeeded in accomplishing
the acme of economy, by ''skinning flint
worth q cent and spo;l;nr a so.l, LIZ