New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1870-03-24
THE INDIANS.

GEN. SHERIDAN IN DEFENSE OF TIE PECAN
ExPEDITIoN-THE NECESSITY OF ACTIVE
OPERATIONS.
WASHINGTON, March 23.-The following i'm
porant official communication from Gen. Sheridan was
received today at Army Headquarters:
HEADQUARTERS MILITARY DIVISION OF MrssoUn,)
CHICAGO, ILL.,, March Is. 1870. 5
Gen, W T. SHERMAN, Conimandias United States Army.
GENERAL The further report Of Col Baker in reference
TO the punishment OF the Piegan Indians. has not yet
such a want OF knowledge OF the position which Army
officers have TO maintain in reference to indian affairs
tier settlements, my chief and only duty being to
give protection 70 the families residing on thee
The Government has invited these settlers.
by opening RS Ss The n as% S Of pS
women, and children this extended frontier IS very
great and there is not day. from one years end 20 the
other that these families exempt from the fearul
thought OF being murdered in the most endsn manner
the men scaped the women raysh e aa1 sS or
that had met that fate since 1862 was below the
ngge ana nSSa I S"ye notUs to DO with Indians but
in this connection. There Ia scarcely day IN WHICH
to ~ save settlers from the cruel fate which may
come upon them, ana o,S am Iorc siau pegsrd
their appeals or allow them to be buchered in order TO
save myself from the hue and cry of The people VINO
fear morning, noon, aud night, Of being rayished and
scaped by them The wife OF the man at the center o
him than is the wife Of the pioneer OF The frontier
have no hesitation in making choice. am gong 10
stand by the people over whom am placed ana give
them what protection can. We have not the troops 10
place at each mans house TO defend IL, and nave some
times TO take offensive punish for crimes already
committed. in order to prevent the preparation OF
Others In taking the offensive, have 10 select That
season when l can catch the bends ana
village Is attacked, aud women and children
killed. tho responsibility is not with the soldier Dut WIN
the peope whose crimes necesstate the attack Durng
the war did any hesitate 10 attack village or Town
occupied by the enemy because women or children wei"
within its limits Did We cease to throw sheils mo
vicksburg or Atlanta because women or children were
there II the women and children were saved IN thes"
places &c was because they had cellars TO go mo
and should any OF the and children OF the re
had not similar places OF refuge, thsUgn uouot u
they would have avaIed themselves OF tEem Tor they
diers do not want TO kill Indians. After long
years OF Indian frontier service, am sa ,
that they are the Only goGai pIar, hnsaa Inv one
side or the other II We allow the deIelaeless p.opeph
the frontier 10 be scaped aud ravished we are burned III
efgy and execraed soullcss monsters lhsehsiDe 20
tie sufTerngs of humanity. IL the Indian Is punished
10 give security TO these people we are me same sources
monsters from the side. Tnis is bad predcaIneht
am going 10 stand by tine people the Government mas
placed here protect The reservation Is the ass
ditch the Wild Indian bnt TO get LIN heie ne mus. 90
forced by the troops. Those who think nc can ne IN
duced to 20 other means arc mistaken Nheh
on the reservation he Will have to be kept there ny e
presence OF the troops, and thus become tangible Tor s
in his rights while there by the troops keeping on be
emigrants who encrOach his land Az tuese points
are practically exhibited each year. The CheyenDes,
ArrapahOes COmanches, kiOwas, ana Apaehes DaNo
lust been forced on by the troops During the last Year.
as soon Us Withdrew the troops from the sac aud Fox
Reservation, the grants took possession Hoou OF
emigration almost 10000 strong moved In solid mass ad
occupied the Usage Reservation because there were no
troops to keep them or All the other reserYatobs on
sane manner unless guarded by the military Your
truly y. II. SHERIDAh, Lieut Gen.