New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1869-01-26
GEN. HARNEYs INDIAN OPERATIONS THE

OTHER SIDE.
To the Editor of The Tribune.
SIR: In fairness to the Indian Peace Commits
sion you should publish Gen. Harneys report upon the
Sioux Indians on the Upper Missouri, now before the
Senate Committee on Indian Affairs The General Is
member Of the Peace Commission and sent to the
district north OF Nebraska carry out the policy OF col
Letting together and cyiliznR the Sioux Indians num-
berng In the aggregate $1,000 men, women, and children
The Commission asked for to carry out its policy
with the Sioux; Congress gave only s500OO III askedfor
$780, for the Southern district but they voted $4,000
instead. In the latter the Commission was unable
to carry out the terms OF treaty and difficulty oc-
CURED which has already cost the country $5OOOOOO
and 200 Of own people with the further result OF
the massacre OF 20 men and 40 women and children on
the Mihata. In tho North the Sioux removed TO
their reservation the Missouri River some coming
east miles and the Government thereby enabled
to abandon military posts costing year to keep
them up Harvey has saved 100000 Had the 81 900
given for the SOUTH there would have been saving
In that quarter OF t 100000 beside the preventing OF the
and the consequent disgrace to national
flag. In the Of the Sioux, tho Commission asked
100000 to and provide houses for 10000 Indians.
cost for ciylzng them OF $50 each, whereas It cost
about 81 100000 to kill Indian. Give tho Commission
fair chance to test the peace policy, and in two years
You reduce the army by the 5000 men employed
as the Indian country aud save S3OOOoOOo yearf not
more. 8.
In accordance with the provisions and intentions Of the
bill passed by Congress July 30 1867 authorizing the ap
tribes OF the country, and to adopt such line policy
promised to restore peaceful relations between those
Of peace between the United states and most OF the
Indian tribes east Of the Rocky Mountains was concluded
by the Of the treaty with the Sioux, the United
country for the exclusive uso OF the tribe,
means Of subsistence and such other assistance may
DO necessary TO enable them TO aDanon helr via noa-
do of
for the several bands be selected agency build
ings warehouses and mills erected: and clothing and
subsistence purchased and transported to the country
assigned the Indians by the Government, in sufficient
until the opening OF navigation In the Spring OF 1862 On
the 10th Of August 1863 were placed at Gen lIar
neys disposal to enable him TO enter upon the discharge
OF his duies I'm carrying out these arrangements.
Supplies have been purchased and shipped to the differ
ent points Of their destinations the greater portion OF
them have been received the reservations. The early
closing navigation found their way, which are
tablshcd at the mouth OF MILESTONE Creek the Mis-
souri, River point about 80 miles above Fort Randall
To this the haeeds from the vicinity OF Fort Laramie
and Brues Of the Platte have been removed Another
reservation has been established for the TwoKettle,
sans Arc ana Minnie CoJou Dah1s near te mouth OF the
Big Cheyenne river. point within the Sioux reserve;
has been established at the mouth OF tho
Grand River. point about 100 miles below
ana Cahead and also for the temporary location OF the
Yanctauais and Blackfeet Sioux. On the frstnamed
mill Sc have been erected and the Indians provided
with sufficient supplies 10 support them until tho opening
tura implements 10 enable them, under the direction OF
their farmer TO commence operations In the spring
and schOuhOus are In course OF erection including
Spotted Tails band there Is population OF $500 Indians
aud half1rccds On the second reservation ABOUT 2Op
Indians have already arrived, ana three Dahds
expected 10 arrive In the Spring VIII swell
tbs number 10 6,3Os persons. Here commo-
dous warehouses, steam saw-mill, &c, have
been erected the means Of subsistence for the Winter
provided, and sufficient supply OF work oxen anu aSrl
cultural Implements purchased and delivered Tor the use
o the agency on the third reserve the Indians already
fta ~
bers the arrival OF several STEAMBOATS, loaded
with goods for their subsistence convinced them tlat
the Government was I'm earnest in promising to care Tor
them Grand River has NJ present the most Important
and extensive agency within the Sioux reservation ana
nj this NJ the other agencies sawmlls, warehouses
and agency buildings have been erected tue necessary
Winter supplies furnished. and work cattle and farming
implements supplied. Word has been brought to Gen.
Harvey that tho whole OF the Backteet Cnkpapa Cat
head and NanctOuais bands, numbering IN all lOOJ IN
dans, will como In next Spring locate them
selves upon these reservations ana ayali
themselves OF the benefits Of the treaty
with regard tho expenditures Gen Harvey says that
IL was absolutely necessary for hun 70 incur cOndera
bio amount OF indebtedness In order 20 get up suceut
supplies 90 Inst until the opening or the missouri next
season Tho purchases which include no clothing what
ever consist mainly OF provisions, beside agricultural
implements oxen, building materials &c Inc lsteness
characterization very costly 10 important 10 purchase
provisions that had not been done the Indians would
have Ian their rcserynon not having the Of sup
been defeated Hence Gen. Harvey assumed the respon-
sbity % doing H. The estimate OF ndeDtedhess con
traced aud above tho sum appropriated by Con
grcss for the district amounts 20 tss57si ~.
Accompanying the report Is dispatch from Cen sher
statement that the OF expenses arose from tho
fact that operations were not commenced I'LL september
,reirhts AT least double what was IA the Summer
Gen sherman says that he has no doubt that Gen Har
yereh n WILL In time, domescate the larger part OF the
and draw them from the railroads across the con
tibent adding: know that Gen Harvey mas more IN
fnence over the Sioux than any man living and II he
cannot reduce them to suljecuon no man can