New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1867-11-21

W II
who have advised its abandonment either want a
war of determination OF know nothing OF the
value of the route. Those who say it is
not needed have studied tho West TO little
PoDs belong 50 the the na Thf r y%%p to
Montana. and the only practicable route overland
By it Montana is reached without crossing the Rocky
Eangeby the other overland routes south the noun
ans must be crossed twice 1t traverses the eastern
base OF the mountains has fine streams and pastuT-
age and is the only route that has those priceless adj
yanages 1t will not only be the great highway be-
tween Montana and the East, but il must soon have
a profitable railroad TO connect the rich valleys and
mines of this Territory with the western centeIs OF
trade Its bOuntltul crops, precious metals, ana
genial climate will soon make continuous settle
ments from the Gallatin until the waves
of progress from east, to west join IN
the mountain valleys. No tribe can justly
claim IT, 1t was stolen by the Crows, and they IN
turn wero dispOiled by the Sioux. To whom should
it be given reservation No tribe now in exist
cnce could get other than the thiefs title 10 IT, or
claim il on any higher right. No savage now owns
IT, and il is not only absurd, it is simply impossible
to surrender it to the savage simply because he Is
savage. The pioneers of the West Will open ms is
route, will keep 1t open, will settle on IT, VIII
work its mines and reap its haryestS, whether
the Government abandons it or not. IL IS
now lust enough under military control 10
prevent settlers from protecting themselves, The
mere abandonment of the forts and route by the Ma
tonal authorities would be of little consequence, but
the attempt to surrender it TO the Indians by treaty
and exclude the whites from 1t, has been proposed,
would be a foolish attempt on the part OF the Govern
u,ent TO do m impossible thing. III the Government
can do no more for the people OfMontana, let II with
dIaw from tie contest for supremacy on the RAINS;
ard there Will be early and enduring peace, for VIII
I've the peace of death TO the savage One or the 0ter
races must reign here both cannot. Which 1t VIII be,
requires no prophetic 10 determine Alter an OUT
weak and costly diplomacy, the inevitable emu VIII
be reached. and the n0madlc tules VIII laIe away,
either through war or peace and leave their hunting
grounds to make golden fields for their pale-laceu
rivals a. Ia ~
LETTER TO THE SUPERINTENDENT.
ARArAuoE, CHEYENNE, AND APACHE INDIAN AGENcr.l
FORT LARAMIE. Kansas
sept. Is, ls67)
Hon Thoma, Murphy Superintendent Indian AglrG
SIR: Ny attention has just been attracted to
a communication in The Army and Mary JotUnai and
other papers from MaloGen Hancock TO Gen Grant In
refeence 70 the formers late operations in the country
Of the Indians. which calculated to cast some reflection
upon me in consequence OF the representations that
made at the time TO the Department in regard TO his
course These representations simply the facts in
the premises but since Gen. Hancock cndeavors to prove
theu erroneous consider II necessary 70 place myself
right before tho Department and the public by replying
to The communication mentioned and endeavorng to
prove that Cen Hancock and not myself was mistaken in
some particulars referred TO- shall endeayor to prove
that Gen. Hancock va, hot only mistaken ~ certain PAR
tcuar but That his whole course IN reference 10 inc
Indians II ny Agency was mistake and ina9inneh az
Gen. HancocEs co!nmnh4caloh mas n,tn ilD',u III
numerous journals Throughout hc United states funk
% VIII be 10 more than an dci OF Justice TO my sen 10 nave
the same publicity given Co this my reply.
IN TIE first communication That Cen HnncocK M
dressed 90 myself informing me OF ms Intention .. Aahg
an expedition on the Pains he s9ys request .nat YOU
will inform them (the lLlans IN sueh manner hs YOU
may think proper that eNpsct tN9iy 10 Nst , ,cr
ucchLOrhcod and That VII Ice CAD 10 nave an inter
view with their chiefs; aud tell them, also II you please
that 20 iny PREPARED TOT pcsfe or Nf ara NM -
travel where her presence is calculated 10 hiug abnht
collision With the Whites II You can prevail upon tne
Indians Of your Agency 40 abandon tGcr hlui q iHl'
nr the country raNtcd by our overland routtt thit3t
cHur, robbug, aud illuminating travellers we WI al
presence wiz Ilc when visit tho locality II your tbc'
10 show that the officers u tho Government arc acHb IN
L. accordance with lc recucst made by Cen Hancock:
Iassemlled tie principal ch.cs Of ine DOC sG'.r,s OF
an interview with him Gen. Hancock. Tlose chief.
obeYcd 10y SUMMONS with dlacniy, coming distance ol
% miles, 10 this Uos through Getp sh"" iuouth 'H'r
pors, which susst entirely upon grass were in MI, r
able conc tom - ucey able u tIatci. lb',e .h,ls De
lonccd 10 TIC Nil! ge whth vas HicFWnfd dtsi'{'a ~
Gen. Hancock \ COUNCIL NH. held 10y the General in us
camp ~ ujgi such Thing bti heretofore unknown as
holding friendly converse win ah a.'hhi'es Ol ~, ~
dian Chiefs after sunset II b., ar they term IT, aE
trcrsucGcilc" and that fact ul1Ec calculated 10
certain degree 20 make Do ~ foel susug,nu s -,
Gen. Hancock suys 90 is conuui cation. from NI'ch
Win ihr indians ~ by o.. l'y 3"' d" 'l
10 he TOOK upon lms' " tio Whole toh1u'i Z" tAllIs'
mtcd 10y them, ana stated tLat be- was about to m1lch
Dis column OF troopsu - their VILLAGE "lch Nafc vas
o,orosad Cie, aud ore % thc PRINCIPAL men Of hsirbe
u reply 10 Gen. Hancock stated that from TIE ime that
I'd i-iuiy 10 H. ieacc d. % made AID Uat biz band
iad it bc rntaeed In any nets Of hostility toward the
whites subsequent TO that date AiicrwArd in cover
saion with myself &c said that Dc Vac fearful 81 ia. con
sGou noes OF Cen Hancock marching DIS coiunnup olis
,.li,.e ms IL WAS calculated u fugh.u the women ana
obi rca who had not set forgotten DE fearful massacre
az sand Creek. Previous 20 Cen lancocha departure
from , most expressed 90 INN my foars OF the result
Of Lib marching his troops Immediately on 70 tie Idinn
Tie ce was located miles vcs " this post. OIL the
Pawucc FORK, and the column started directly away tom
tie Santa Re roads. he great EAway Of IN. couny'
and marched up Tie Pawnee Fork 30 The direction Of the
Indian village. This column was composed 81 cayary,
infantry nnd artillery, together WIN poito"h fa, ana
had as formidable Az aspect and presented ~ Wnikt an
appearance az any mat ever man 10 meet an enemy
on baiuehcld accompanied me column IuI lhe l9r-
pose of subseryng the Interests ~ my department by
looking hler the interests OF Inc Idas oi ny Acne as
been IN council on the rst days march rode alongside Of
me- exhibiting, in various Ways their fear 81 the Tcsult0f
this o1peduon not fearful OF their own lives or hbey
they rode boldly n the midst az the column hut OF he
panic which they expected 20 be created among thor
women ana Children some ~ liieS from foit l9IH,d
We went into camp, the chleis stu remaining with TO
troops, as wen ~ another small party OF warriors VIM
had met the column eulhg tie uay' Upon t",hs InD
camp 1t the understanding that We were within i've
~ six miles Of the indian Nila;e ana Cen llnnco,i
dispatched some ~ Inc ChlcIs that night 70 bring ~
principal at o'clock The next morning, for The
purpose OF having talk with them. The Indians dd hot
make their appearance at me uhe elecineu Tue Gen
cIa allowed short time 10 eapse ana then expressed
himself 10 the eject that nc believed that they felt guilty
and would not come ahd ac,gluinEy sIu'h canp hha
started In tie direction OF the Indian village, the mJOry
the chiefs who had been present AT the council s re-
naming with the column AFTER mnkpg a marfh OF
about Fix miles in sight OF about 800 Indians,
raulQly marching TOWARD ihc camp TIT bN COZ
uinn immediately halted; the infantry and artillery
formed In lire, the cavalry coming UP NJ me same ine
on the gallOl with drawn fabers-the whole command
presenting such an appearance have lust prior
10 the opening OF engagement The consequence was
the Indians halted at distance, became unsteady,
and some Of then who were III the rear on foot precl
lately fled. Not knowing what the Indians might
do under the circumstances, ! asked permission
OF Gen. Hancock TO ride toward the Indian lines
for the purpose Of reassurug them win my pres
euce Permission being granted, / rode into the center
Of their line Apparently oyeIjoycd, when they
recognized me they surrounded my horse expressing
their delight at seeing there, saying that now they
knew that everything all right, and they would not
be harmed Recognizing Of Their principal chiefs.
Roman Nose, galOped toward him, instructing him To
,cnd Immediately and bring those Indians who were IN