Arizona miner., 1867-08-24
GENERAL CRTrENDEN.

We believe General Crittcudcn is "a pop
ular below the ella as General Gregg is
here. His fine social qualities are much
liked, and his administration Of military at
fairs is thus complimented by correspondent
Of the Sacramento Laioa, writing from Camp
Wallcn:
ADMiNIsTRArGoN OF GEN. CRITTESDEN.
"The administration Of Gcncal Crttcnden
is well received II has been characterized
with energy, SO fat as there has been room
for a display Of energy The establishment
of a sub-d district, known as Sub-District Of
the Santa Cruz, under the commad of Lieu
tenant Colonel McGarry, Thirty second in
fantry. or better known with the California
Volunteers, aud more ,igorc rs prosecution
of the ,Indan war, are the only things that
work a noteworthy change from the usual
quiet routine Of his predecessor. This Is ac-
counted for, however, by the fact OF the sea
son being more advanced and the Indians
consequently more numcrOusly found. There
is no room. however, for any very great dis
play Of heruism one way or another. The
Indians are troublesome enough, but the
troops are few enough. No less than -four
different scouts have gone ont against them
since the advent Of Colonel McGarry, but in
three cases out Of four the vital drawback
te success. was the insutiiciency of men. In
the neighborhOod Of the several mountain
ranges that are known TO he the haunts Of
the Indians Of this section, there are up
wards of a dozen posts, and there l. 10 qucs-
ton but what their establishment and con
t!ngancc arc hat;et, % necessity. There =
abundant room for them all TO work had
they the means. but the majority number
less than one hundred men, two-tiiths OF
whom, at least, must be excluded from the
scouting forces. Where Indians live in ran h.
erias, located with special reference to easy
escape, it is almost an impossi5iity to cap
ture them without dividing the attacking
force into at least two parties-oftener more
and as scouting has to be performed with
cavalry, the idea of dividing a fragment Of a
company into several detachments is ono not
to be for an instant entertained. 1t can safely
be said that this country will continue to be
the theater Of Indian depredations until eli
Their the number Of troops is materially
/ increased and better horses furnished, or un
/ I'll the posts are centralized and consolidated
| that scouts can be organized Of sufficient
force not to compel their commander TO re
turn home from want Of numbers when M
I has the bird in hand
The want Of proper force, and Of author
! ity to centralize and consolidate it at will i
the great drawback to successful militar,
movements, both above and below the ella
and until such want is supplied either by III
act Of General Mcdowell or the erection q
a separate Department, comparatively littl
can be done. To sit in San Francisco an
direct even the general movements Of til
troops here to a successful issue is simply in
possible. while TO attempt to control I'll
details Of their operations is a sheer absurd
ity. Come here yourself Gen. Mcdowell
send us officers to whom you can give ever
responsibility Of placing, and handling ii
troops, or let us have a distinct Department
This is tie reasonable demand Of suferin
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