The New York herald., 1868-12-26

The Indian War-lts Origin--The Success
Already Observation-Disclosures Fighting the
True Mode Of Observation-Disclosures Of
Medicine Lodge-Tw0 COuriers Killed by
IndiaMs-Return Of Wagon Train.
HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT or THE MISSOURI,
CAMP SUPPLY,
FORKS BEAVER AND WOLF RIVERS T.,
Dec. o, 1853.
No influence exerts more power over the savage
mind than that OF fear. The ordinary feelings Of
humanity find no existence there, and such i'm
pulses sympathy gratitude to incite recipro-
cation Of good deeds are dead the thirst for
blood is strong and beyond control.
review of the causes and progress of the present
Indian is but a repetition OF that same expe-
rience which hos been the natural condition,
1t would seem, OF Indian affairs for some
years past, but In the present instance
indicates the exercise OF more energy OF more skill
and with better prospects OF durable results than
have characterized former attempts at decisive
subugation OF the hostile tribes. The great draw
back in the past has been the regard for the auto
matte philanthropy OF a class urged on in their cant
BY their own interests those OF corrupt officials
and their tools. This class has the boldness in
the present 30 dishgure the true state of the
case and again, with their usual Misrepresentation,
ignorance aud faschood attribute the blame OF the
war to the white settlers. In response to cowardly
feeling OF sO-caed humanity the Peace COmmis
sion OF 1867 was established, and on 1t devolved
the ..whole Indian question for q practical and
n possible peaceable solution" To further this OBJ
ject the operations OF the troops were made snbor
dinatc TO the Commission. This Commission at
least deserves the credit OF showing an interchangeable
spirit II 1t did out barren OF results. Treaties
were entered into with the Cheyennes, Arapahoes,
Ktowas and Comanches. At the Recommendation
OF the Peace Commission the Powder river country
was abandoned. This action construed by the
Indians as the result OF fear the part OF gov
ernment The Sioax having accomplished their
first purpose now extended their depredltions to
the Pacific Railroad the Platte. The Indians
along the Arkansas, the south, were not slow In
believing that the whites had been forced ont OF the
Powder river country and undertook, In emulation
OF the boast OF the Sioux in the North to drive the
whites out OF the Smoky Hill country. Both these
sections are fine ranges for the buffalo.
The Cheyennes In August last took the warpath,
with nearly $50 warriors as they had II then be-
lieved against band Of Indians towards which
they were hostile In the same month they made
OF the saine Alter receiynr the most friendly
treatment they suddenly threw of their disguise.
and instead OF appearing as friends iney were smd,
valleys OF the Saline and Solomon suddenly became
the scene OF a relentless savage war, and in turn
swept along the Smoky Hill aud the Arkansas.
The war was now fairly inauguratea and its incep-
ton presented one OF those instances or Indian
treachery which had frequently before resulted in
the massacre OF innocent and unsuspecting men,
sons met their end at the hands OF the savages The
chiefs OF the Arapahocs had promised to proceed
withdraw to their reservation. In stead OF fulfilling
their promises, they began series OF depredatons
on the line between Fort Wallace and Denver, IN
about the same time entered into an agreement at
Fort Zarah to remain at peace, and left with that
impression fixed on the minds OF those who repre-
| sented the government. The next information was
| that the Kiowas and COmanches had joined the
the practical view OF the condition OF affairs within
the limits OF his department ut once transferred his
| tions for determined war. General Suiy's fight
near this POINT, Forsyth's gallant hight the ART
hams fight on the Beaver branch OF the Republican,
General Carrs decisive ng It In the same vicinity,
nSn caser so annnto NJ 1ss Of Black
sides a number OF small engagements, Is
the the, lighting record T ,,,,,, Of three months, II
least three hundred warriors been killed since
| the war broke out Two hundred and fifty oni-
| getting or his dead would largely increase the
| Official count, which Is based upon an accurate
knowledge OF the Indian loss from the bodies seen
carried Oh which fell into the possession OF the
| troops. Nor have the wounded been estimated; and
Il Is quite natural TO suppose that in loss OF two
| hundred and hfty warriors killed many more
wounded, OF which fair proportion may be called
| mortaly, and subsequently died.
ency OF the winter would secure them In their remote
fastnesses, and IN the coming spring they might
i
| has twofold significance First the indians have
received thus Tar the most rapid and decisive thrash
i :Is saey nave ever been entertained with in the
same length OF time. In the second place It ex.
plodes their belief that the SHOWS and storms OF
winter VIII prove an insurmoun.able barrier against
the approach OF troops at a time when the effective
ness Of their mode OF warfare ceases. These two
considerations have, doubtless. by this time, had
| the beginning OF wha. Is IN store for them.
There 50 many considerations involved In an
It.lfn hat wAVI t.a
less. one thing il certain unless higher authorities
meddle In the matter the war viii go on until II
reaches an even greater success aud more decisive
Cobb and surrender. n they do so they come now
down to the most rigid agreements. When the
| Peace Commission treated with them the savages
came In shouting and firing their rifles and with
other manifestations OF victors, which they really
were. Some hold the opinion that the hostile savagcs
will take their families to the staked Plains, bar
onensive and defensive. This does not appear plau
sble. for the reason that the larder OF an lndiao
ssiIng OF the proceeds OF the chase iii success is the
sure forerunner OF an empty stomach. IL Is known
that the Staked Plains consist OF the most barren,
desolate waste In this entire region and arc per-
fecty devoid OF animal life. The savagcs therefore,
have no place to retire to that cannot be reached
| As an instance OF the faithlessness and shrewd-
ness oi the savages against which General Sheridan
ers may bc mentioned. Several weeks since a war
party, consisting OF Cheyennes, ki0was and Arapa-
hoes started on the warpath towards Fort Lyon.
In the vicinity OF Fort Larned. and
| thiTd party on foot set out, moving north,
hostile expeditions were about leaving representa-.
yves IRON cach band repaired TO Fort Cobb and se-
cured cured ron tne representative OF tho Peace Com.
mission there large quantities Of provisions and
other supplies.
nat At the time Of the capture q Black Kettles camp
'nse s.""rreS 's".~ .aaSs an6 DESTROYED together
with large quantities of powder and lead