The Montana post. [volume] (Virginia City, Montana Territory [i.e. Mont.]) 1864-1869, 1866-03-10
The Indian TrOubles-..Letter from
Fort Benton.
FORT BENTON. NJ T. Febrnar,

FORT BENTON. NJ. T., February Goth 1866
EDITOR Posi-: In the perusa of the columns of your
valuable Journal which receive here sem-oecasoD
ally, find there has been quite effort made ON the mart
oi our executive officer to raise free of sufficient to
OUT the Indians in this section of the Territory But
appears from some other that the expeitiop has
failed but let the fault of its failure where it belongs
While we, in this section, appreciate motive of the
Acting Governor in his effort render this side safe for
white men, and with all due thanks the brave men that
turned out so promptly 10 his call for volunteers-we must
say there great lack Of courage and the right spirit On
the part OF the very people who should be interested
in lending helping hand to object that would SO mate
rally benefit the whole people of the Territory But it is
not my purpose to indulge in personalities merely write
IN my own humble way suggest few items from this
section, which, You deem them worthy an insertion in
the columns Of your Journal at your service Nv
remarks shall be confined principally, t. the approaching
Indian war; which is inevitable if npped In the bud
1t is wel-known fact here that the Blackfeet and the
Blood Indians have declared open the whites since
the massacre OF ten white men, the Maras river last
sprng and by careful inquiry, am fully convinced that
what called friendly Pegans as guilty of that out
rgeOus crime as either of the first named vet tIey are
tolerated and allowed to mingle among the white settle
mens and like band of sneakng wolves pOunee upon
every lone white they meet robbng and perchance
numbering him. and then conceong their guilt under the
black garb Of murder and rapne which the Bhckeet and
B'od Indians so triumphauty There nearly
two hundred lodges of Pegans camped within five miles
OF this place for the purpose of making their annual trade
These people were parties TO treaty concluded al this
place. last fall; and candor eompes to- say that the
Stpuations Of said treaty almost entirely dsrexard
by the Indians and their demeaaor towards the whites
aud challenge us to go to their camp for the stolen goods
Is this not humatng to free-spirited white man but
we are sadly in the minority here and dare their
insults.
could go Mr.. Editor and furnish you facts of this
kind that would fill your journal and stare your readers
But not wishing to tax your columns with grievances
will conclude with few general remarks hoping that
the business men of Montana will the necessity of fur
nshing supplies and yet send sufficient number of men
to chastise the offenders. The Blood Indians and por
ton OF the Blackeet within hundred miles of
this place and moving this way. They are endeavoring
to form an alliance with the Indians in this section to on
them (Which is not difficult matter) in general war on
all whites Communication continually kept up by war
PARTIES passing between the different camps and every
white they meet the road is certainly killed BY
them. Our situation here well that of all the pros
pectors and other whites in the adjacent mountains is
perous in the extreme. There is course the people of
Montana should adopt and that promptly in order 10 save
the lives of hundreds of unofendng white men-whch is
t. send sufficient number Of of the proper kind to
pursue the different bands that have been concerned in
these depredations and chastse them in such manner
that they will not only respect white but fear him.
IN future Without salutay lesson there is knowing
TO what extent they will commit murder and depredaions
on the whites. These Indians have often been told
that troops would be chasise them if they did not
alter their conduct This they regard only threat
and unless in the presence of body of white men sufficient
to intimdate them they will always be troublesome
will state here that in the Of an expedition being
organized for action against the Indians il will meet wh
the hearty cooperation Of the citizens place Although
the settlement is small will guarantee that it will turn
out fifty good Indian fighters as can be found in any
other district in the Territory and more than that they
will equip and supply ations for that number of men for
two months campaign. OMAHA |