Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1867-09-11
The Indian Difficulties.

For two years past, or moro, the Indians on the
Northwestern Plains have proved themselves ex-
trcmely unfricndly to the whites of the frontier
settlements, and their hostile demonstrations have
como on from worse to worse until thero now
seems to be imminent danger of general Indian
war. Day by day, and month by month, dis
patches come thick and fast from the West and
Northwest, reoounting innumerablo and most
horrible Indian outragcs. The whole Indian
population, and it is still very large, seems
to be in state of blind and wrathful excitement
And VIC do not doubt but that these indiana
have abundantc cause for their cnmity to the whites
Ever since the settlement of America our own
racc has been wrotchedly culpable in the matter
of outraging the poor and fricndlcfs red man
There are volumes of evidence that bad white
men arc nearly always the inciters OF Indian
troubles. But be all this ns it may, NC are now,
in all probability, about to witness another net in
III. gloomy and inglorious drama of Indian OK
termination. Congress at its last session appoint
ed Commission 10 proceed to the Northwest and
investigate Indian affairs. at the head OF thi'
Commission is Con. W. S. Harney, perhaps the
oldest Indian fighter in tho United States, one
who served in Florida in the Black Hawk war,
and who, sincc then, has scon immense service on
tho pleins. This Commission is now in Nebraska
nursuipr il, Investigations; and the probabilities
seera to DO that measures on large and e1pen-
,vc scale will room be inaugurated for the punish
ment and subjugation of the luckless Indians. Iu
Nebraska, Gen. Augur is in command IN the
State or Territory North of Nebraska, Gen. Tor
ry: while South, in tho Department of Missouri
the redoubtabls roitico- military hero Gen. Sherl
dan now holds sway. Gen. Augur estimates the
number of troops necessary to enable him to wage
successful campaign against tho Indians in his
district ut 20, 900 men, $4,000 Of whom must be
cavalry. He also estimates tho same amount, OF
number, necessary in Gen. sheridan's district
and the ,amc for Gen. Terry's district. Sixty
thousand troops required to subjugato or extermi-
natc the Indians of our Western plains and noun
tains
But on. Harney goes farther than this. &c
estimates the number necessary to put down the
Indians at 100, 900 men. And he is supposed to
II
make hi. estimate from thorough knowledge ol
the capacity Of the Indians for war. He often
refers TO the campaign in Florida a' proving the
courage, shrewdness and determination OF the
Indians when pressed into an extremity and COM
psllod to resort to arms as their only means OF
sclf-pre,ervation. In Florida tho nation e1pend
ed Fifty Millions of dollars in the war against
the seminolcs, fought thcm six years, and were
then forced to buy them oG-nevor succeeding in
conquering them.
As to time, Gen. Harvey says FIVE years would
be necessary to competa the work. And the
Grand estimate of the cost is at the very lowest
slO0, 900, 600 year.
Five vonr. then, and $500, 100000 to subjugats
tho indians Big work! Better by far TO keep
on buying them Oft