The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-12-09
FIRST EDITION
"A l. a y IA A.
Ventilation of a Grand Humbug-At
Last General George II. Thomas
Gives Us the Truth About
Our Icebergs.


cisco, Sept. 81 After enumerating the troops in
the Department of Alaska, he describes his
movements previous to and eit route to Alaska.
OF Arizona he says:-"rhis state of Indian
affairs, in my opinion, fully Justihes the Judg-
ment of General Halleck in depicting the sta
tions in the Department of Columbia for opera
tions against the turbulent Indians In Arizona"
OF various posts on the Pacific Coast he thinks
that Camp McDermott is now useful to over
look the Pi-Utes on the reservation, and
has been continued but Churchill
Barracks, Camp Scott, q. T. Smith, Lyon, and
Watson, being no longer considered necessary
as depots of operations against Indians, have
been ordered to be abandoned. Camp Three
Forks is now of no further necessity, but the
quarters being good and the post supplied for
the winter, it has been continued until "A contem-
plated new road from Carlin, on the Central
Pacific Railroad, to Boise, is opened, when, if
necessary, it will be moved to some point on
that road or wherever needed. Although there
is no special necessity at this time for maintain
ing the post at Boise, the buildings being sub
stantlal, in good order, conveniently situated,
and containing a large quantity of quartermas-
ters and ordnance supplies, it would be useful
in case of Indian hostiities being renewed.
l have, therefore, deemed it best to continue
it, with one company OF infantry as guard.
1t is less expensive to maintain the post
than it would be to remove the supplies to Fort
Vancouver, and it is in the midst of fertile val
ley, from which it can procure all its forage,
breadstuffs and vegetables at less expense than
they could be transported to it. Lapwai and
Colville are posts conveniently situated, and
seem to be necessary to overlook the Indians
located near and protect them from white de-
predations. Fort Bidwell seems to be inconve-
nently situated and unnecessary, but there are
a quantity of supplies there enough for the
coming winter, and have deferred ordering its
discontinuance until March or April next.
Klamath, Warner, and Harney are conveniently
situated for controlling and supervising the In
dians on the reservation, and will be continued.
Fort Vancouver is of no use, except as n quar-
termasters and commissary depot, but the bus-
ness of these staff departments Is transacted ut
Portland, and most of the stores shipped directly
from Portland.
Indian Discoutent.
There are still number of Russians and half
breeds in the town. and a large village of Iu-
dians Immediately outside Of the stockade. The
Indians are treacherous, warlike, and, until re-
Gently, discontented with the change of govern
ment. 1t will be necessary to maintain large
garrison at this place, to protect the traders
from Indians and preserve order and good beha-
vior among the whites and half-breeds. In
January last, q party of Kake Indians attempted
to leave Sitka in violation of orders in resisting
the attempt one of the Indians was killed by
sentinel. After they were permitted to return
to their homes they killed, in revenge for the
loss of their companion, two white men who
had left Sitka in December on trading expedi-
ton in Chatham Straits. Upon hearing of these
murders General Davis proceeded in the United
States steamer Saginaw to punish them; upon
his arrival at their village, finding it deserted 1t
was destroyed. He did not succeed in finding
any of the murderers. Since then this tribe has
been very quiet, In my personal interview with
General Davis became satisfied his course was
right and necessary in that instance. will
here mention that on my return from the north
west to Sitka, General Davis reported that dur
inc nv absence he had visited Forts Tongass and
Wrangel on the revenue-cutter Lincoln, and
that while IN Tongass white trader complained
that he had been robbed by Cape Fox Indians.
They will be punished by confinement and work
at HOnOaSs
the chief and the medicine man released and re-
turned to the village This, presume, has been
done by this time.
Kadink-The san Francisco Ice WOriSs-The
St. Pnul's Seal grade.
Arrived at Kadiak Agust >; this place is garrl
soned by q company of artillery 1t was q Rus.
n-American trading post, the next in import
ance to Sitka, and a permanent official wa
stationed there Beside the garrison there are
here a few Russian and half-breed families, an
Aleut village few Koloshe Indians, brought
here from Sitka by the Russians, and four
trading establishments. On Wood Island, across
the harbor is the ice companys establishment,
which supplies San Francisco with ice, and APP
pears to do large business. This is the most
southern point at which ice can be produced
with certainty on the coast. With the exception
of preventing Illicit whisky trading with the
Aleuts see no necessity for either this post or
the one at Kenay, but do not deem 1t wise to
disturb them until regulations are established to
govern intercourse with the natives.
The Aleuts and their COnditiiOn-Senls and
their HabIts.
The Aleuts though nearly all strict members
of the Greek Church, seem to have no control
over their passion for ardent spirits nor have
they very correct ideas in regard to chastity:
consequently the effects OF contact with the
stronger-willed Americans are apparent az
yenereal diseases and scrofula are quite com
mon and there are scarcely any, either male OF
female who will not get intoxicated If they
have the oppoTtunlty almost the first thing
they ask for is whisky. l believe much good
might be done, and improvement effected, II
one or two reliable persons could be appointed
to live among them as superintendents, to teach
them how TO trade and conduct their business,
and impose upon them the necessity of abstain
inc from dissipation and immortality
On St. Paul and st. George only are the fur
bearing seal found, and are killed for their furs
and oil AS described by the natives, the habits
of these animals are very peculiar. About the
last of April or early part OF May, the old
male seals arrive at the islands and go on
shore ut the places regularly frequented by
them, called rookerlesi they make thorough
examination of the ground, winch occupies
some DAYS; then the great body begin to arrive
and in n short time all have come and occupied
their several positions. The females come ul
on shore and are collected together In commu
mites or families by each one OF the old seals
who possesses sufficient powers 10 maintain M
ground and guard his family; the young male
and superannuated old ones are forced 10 taxi
their places outside Of the area occupied b.
the families, and II they attempt 10 interier
with the domestic arrangements descTlDeu thel
are summarily driven off by the heads OF Iainl
lies. In these troubles many terrloie anray
occur. This arrangement OF the animals ON an
around the rookeries makes II very simple an
easy for the native hunters TO place themselVe
between the families and the young males, Irou
whom only the skins are taken, which, Whe
they want to KILL they DO In parties OF iory
81 N. tltnla Nov ffaf