New-York tribune., 1867-08-22

born Tappan and Henderson arrived here to-day en- route
TO the Upper Missouri to examine land with Wow to the
selection Of one moro reservations for some OF the
hostile Indian tribes At Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, the
Commission held two sessions for the examination of
witnesses, among whom was Catholic priest Father
Dcsmet who has been among the Indians OF the plains
and mountains for nearly 80 years. He gave an
interesting Of his experience among them how
readily under his instruction, by precept and example
they adopted the habits andpuIsts Of the whites They
manifested great desire to acquire knowledge partc
larly upon religious Subjects and they became an
example To the Catholics Themselves abandoning many
OF their former customs when told that they we're dis
pleasing to the Great Spirit Father Desmet Is firmly OF
opinion that with little time patience, and perserver
Caornlaare capable of civilization; that those among
whom he has been for the last 30 years are willing ana
anxious % engage in pastoral and agricultural pursuits
He cOrrecs the false impression that the Indians are
naturally lazy his experience that when once they see
the advantages OF farming they not hesitate to engage
in It, He wont among the Flathcads in 1893 1889,
naming a few months, gathering In large
teachings When he announced his intention to return
troubed and begged Of him not Is leave them he prom
iscd TO back early he could; and to convince
which thew carried lth them wherever they went bear
ing il In advance the ark OF the covenant" packed
upon of their best horses always led by young
chjeftan In wear Father Desmet returned with train
Of wagons containing seeds aud farming implements. He
met by the Indians on the Sweet Water some GOO
miles from their home in the mountains They extended
most enthusiastic ana cordial welcome TO their recOg
nzed teacher and friend They returned aud these wag
ons were the first that ever crossed the Rocky Mountains
on arriving their homes the seed planted, and in
the time the harvest 10 found that the potatoes
were very large and prolific The Indians were awed
and surprised 10 find That the small potatoes put into the
ground had grown large aud fast They begged OF
Father Desmet to cover them up again for another year.
and they would become as large as pappOose. Occa-
sionally that next Winter Father Desmet gave them
bushels, and all were supplied.
Gen Hancock also before the Commissioner 10 give
OF Indian affairs in his district. He describes
all the Indians hostile; his opinion being based upon
ports received from his subordinate officers He also
stated that the Indians supplied with repeating
war, &c He also attempted an explanation ana JUSTIN
cation OF his burning Of the Indian village Ii is evident
that in the matter Of the burning Gen Hancock blum
visit them with his command in their camp They OBJ
ected saying that il there any in their camp
lin, hut nrotestcd against his taking his troOps among
thi, woneU and cb7irep Cen Ha5c6cS Insisted upon
moving at once upon the Indian village The Indians with
their memory and remembering that the troops com
manded by CkiyingtOn wore the same uniform worn by
Gen. HancOcks command, became alarmed, and with
drew from the village Their suspicious that mischief
This Yttbdrnwa was considered by Gen Hancock az an
capture, Kill the Indians The Indians, as matter OF
course lost all confidence in the promises Of the whites
became convinced that we had determined TO eXtern
nate them-pdlncd their faces and took the warpath
against What has happened since is already familiar
the country and need not be repeated I seems that
the report OF the officers in Gen ancocks district III
reference to the hostile disposition OF the Indians was
based npon the affidavit OF one Jones, an interpreter at
Fort Dodge, who seems to have been the affidavit man
To furnish reasonable excuse for an Indian war. lie
furnishes the most improbable stories OF the Indians,
which immediately seized upon and made the fouda-
tOn for special reports, and sent to headquarters.
The army determined TO secure tine transfer OF the
Indians the OF the Interior 10 the War Depart
ment, claiming that as they nave 70 hght them they
should have the exclusive control The navy might with
just much propety claim the transfer OF the state
Department OF Government to Secretary Wces
The army the pnns instead OF being sort Of police
force for the enforcement Of the law and OF treaty pu
latOns and the maintenance OF the peace ana security Oh
travel and settlement seem TO act entirely independent
OF all these and TO carry system OF warfare calcu
lated 20 force the Indians 10 unite IN war against the
United states their only means OF self
they all considered hostile and shot whenever and
wherever seen No prisoners are taken ana te DacK nag
Of assassination muttlatiOn and determination Is dis
play by troops The honor OF the Republic Is com
one Of the aidavits of Jones was presented TO the
Commissioner; 1t was In reference TO the Kowas. A
gentleman mentioned I'm the affidavit rs having been ont
ragged, threatened and robbed by these Indians came
before the Commission and pronounced the affidavit rs
false H. every reference lnade 10 MN, ana that le am
ant man Of noorety, bad reputation, and not 10
he believed under oath. Yet upon this statement the
kowas are declared enemies OF our government 10 Dc
hunted down and eNerminated lt almost an lmposs
bilty 20 get witness at all familiar with the Indians
whose evidence does not In almost every particular,
make against our own people, instead of against
the Indians. We violate our treaties with inpunty, we
cheat the Indians most OurageOusly, ana make warupOn
them without prOvOcatiOn, and In violation of every prn
cpe OF honor and of Justice time has for radical
reform in the administration of Indian affairs and
the sooner it is done the better for all concerned.
PANIC IN THE wEST-MILTTARY MOVEMENTS.
From Special Correspondent
OMAHA, Neb, Aug 10, 1867
The panicky feeling created by the late Plum
Creek massacre and existing the plains, affords
evidence prove how easy it Is to excite whole com
munities. Yesterday morning telegram was sent to
Gen. Auglr at his headquarters in this city, that the
Sioux we're approaching in force to destroy Plum Creek
Station and the Union Pacific Railroad. Gen. Augur
rushed to the telegraph office, aud kept up |
an animated and Interesting correspondence |
with tho Plum Creek Station operator. The |
number OF the approaching enemy was given
with exceeding accuracy viz 550 Gen. Augur seeing |
the Importance Of being ready to meet the terrible emer
Start from Fort Sedgwick immediately eastward To Plum
and Fort Mcpherson Away started the military spe
cal trains for the scene of action their military ardor
arousedthe old warlike spirit which dstin
gnhed them in the last war beamcd from their eyes aud
eund vent noisy cheers The settlers as they saw the
military Fastening to their rescue waved their |
hats and blessed Gen. Augur's foresight and |
energy. In the mean time the enemy had |
conds of dust their strength could not easily be
Operator telcgTphed to Augur hghtlng
ANXIOUS Operator telegraphed again: They are cross
Ing the Platte River they are not Indians az all Dut
Imagine the confusion created by the senseess kilograms
company upon company dispatched to XII buffalo In
ing: heavy battle took place between the Pawnees |
ana Sioux at Plum Creek yesterday. No particulars
npt Dunstans company Of scouts have gone in pursuit
Df The Indians who destroyed Big Thompson Station. |
Fort Nc Rae In the Territory OF Mexico, lately dis
manted is TO be reGstabsled and efficient garrison
placed there Company X Fifth u s. Infantry stationed
Albuquerque have been ordered 70 aaty on the Pias
The port will be garrsoned by Company a, Ihlrd hfan
try, Capt Havley commanding
pARTICULARs OF THE FIGHT NEAR FORT |
KEARNEY.
From Our Special Correspondent
OMAHA, Aug. IA, 1867.
At Gen. Augurs Headquarters in tks city |
dspatchwas received this morning from ForE Feter
man TO the effect that Contractor Porter had arrived
there on the 18th inst from Fort Phil Kearney with the
intelligence that fight had occurred the Fort be-
tween Indians and 100 citizens and soldiers On the
al of August train of 30 wagons, accompanied by
command OF M0iOr Powell and Lieut. Jenness LETT the
Fort for the purpose Of gathering fuel Ihey had |
invoked the oxen nnd the buslly engaged In
cutting wood, when simultaneously there dashed irSm
all sides 05Out 800 Indians, yelling furionsy me