Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1869-06-14
The Indian Outrages-HOrrible Mu.
ttiatiOn of tn cir Vietims-CondftiOn
0f Our Forces on the Plains.

of Our Forces on tne FIaihs.
From the Lsavenworth Commercial, june 81
Major John Parks, well known in this
com munity, aud who has just come in
from the "seat of the Indian war;" fully
confirms the various reports regarding
the outrages perpetrated in the vicinity
of Fort Hayes, on the Spellman, Saline
and Solomon Creeks. Within radius
of eighteen miles of Hayes City, no less
than twenty-three persons are missing,
all of whom have either been captured
or. killed.
1t is the opinion Of the Major that the
entire border is under the control of the
Indians, and of a class comprising the
most despicable and desperate, who have
naught in view save plunder, murder,
and qualification of their most evil and
savage passions. They are of that class
generally known os Dog Indians" in
which the outcasts of all the tribes are
comprised, and q thousand or more in
number. They acknowledge no alle-
glance for the time being to any tribe or
chiefs, save to the chiefs Spotted Tail
and Roman Rose, under whose command
and direction they are at present acting,
and are so highly considerate that when
ever q general council is held with peace
commissioners" etc, they exonerate all
tribes from all blame for outrages perpe-
trated and murders committed. Egi-
IDENTIFY these Indians understand Uncle
Sans weaknesses, aud know how to ca
ter thereto. 1t is evidently convenient
to gather their old and deerepid warriors,
their suuaws and children, upon reser-
yations, there to be subsisted by the mu-
nificence Of government, while the boast
ing "brayes" enter upon the war-path,
numbering and robbing wherever they
deem il safe 80 to do, and then charge all
to the outcssts," or Dog Indians" as
they are more popularly known on the
border. Yet that this is the style OF
these treacheroUs red skins is the univer-
sal testimony of all who are in any wise
| familiar with them.
In the recent outbreak, it is but proper
To state, the settlers were in every partic-
ular unprepared. They had been led to
believe that the Indian troubles we're q
thing of the past, and hence had given
no thought to defense or self-preserva-
ton. The Indians, on the other hand,
saving up carefully the ammunition and
arms supplied them by the Government,
and being well mounted, are in splesdid
trim for cruel and aggressive warfare.
And while the settlers have been thus
surprised aud Are in 90 helpless condi-
ton, the Government seems to have been
equally unprepared and likewise to have
been taken at surprise. General Custar,
a dashiRg officer, brave and earnest
fighter, finds himself, however powerful
his will, almost powerless in so far as
troops are concerned. True, be has in
his command some eight companies Of
the Seventh Cavalry, but these are so lily
mounted and so lily conditioned in coH-
sequence Of arduous duties as to be COM
naratively untitled for Indian fighting.
Il is the opinion Of many that regular
troops. under the best Of circumstances,
are incompetent to cope with the 1.-THE,
wild Indian, who makes his hsme, as It
were, on his pony's back, and subsists on
whatever may chance to fall IN bis way as
he rsmbles over a country every loot OF
which is thoroughly familiar 10 him. But
| If the soldier, well mounted and IN the
best of "trim," is an unequal match Tor
the ordinary Indian, what reliance Is to
be placed upon jagged and worn on,
troops, badly mounted, when pitted
against the most reckless and bravest, even
though 'outcasis, of the Indians. Among
those committing the depredations, It
is well known there are many OF the