, 1870-06-22
FRONTIER DEFENCE,
That Foolish Indian SCure-LetGer
from General Hancock 10 Gov.
erHOr Austin.

That Foolish Indian SCure-LetGer
from General Hancock 10 Gov.
ernor Austin.
From the st. Paul Press, Js,e 10.
We recently refcnetl to the very groundless
app1ehensious excited among tho raw settlers
on our remote Western frontier, By the sp-
pearapce Of hunting parties Of Chippewas Of
Sioux at various localities which they have
been accustomed to visit for hunting pur
poses from time immemorial. But to the new
settlers, fresh from Norway, or Germany, or
elsewhere the unwonted spectacle OF these
red men, hahited in thcir strange garb, etrut-
ting about the woods and lakes with guns it
their hands. and with the abrupt familiarity
of Indian manners intruIiDg into their
domicifeg, md. in an unknown tongue, in
terpreted by eigus demanding something to
eat, was full Of terrible suggestiyeuess. They
lies, and they could only account for the ap-
pearnnce OF thcso uncouth Visitants On the
theory that they had come on m errand Of
murder aud Tnpine. OF course there was not
the slightest ground for the apprehensions
thus excited in the bosoms Of these nnsophis-
ly friendly and harmless, have always lived in
the country, and arc simply engaged in their
regular vista to their old lhunts. They may
steal little, but not the slightest danger III
to be apprehended from, them. However,
the appearance Of email parties on their
like panic, and the rumor spread over the
whole frontier, gathering as it wont, till at
last, in great many localities, the settlers be-
gan to believe that the Indians we're going to
make raid on our frontier. In this state Of
mind they sent to Governor Austin for arms
and other protection from the supposed
danger. Tho Governor, in order to reassure
them, sent some arms To the localities which
deemed themselves exposed 10 danger from
this imaginary enemy, and recommended local
organizations for defence, not IL necessary At
nll, but as serving 70 ,giEo tho sense Of secu-
ritz which seemed to be wanting.
General Hancock WAS absent at the time
but when he returned, a few daya ago be ad-
dreseed the following letter to Governor AUS
lin, In reply to communication OF the latter
covering = request from the settlers Of Lyon
County for military protection. This letter
will ehow our froutier readers thAt General
Hancock hiss no force at his disposal for a
frontier guard, other than those scattered in
the various frontier posts barely sufficient TO
man them; and If they choose 10 indulge the
fancy that they arc thrcat tened with an Indian
raid from the peaceful and friendly Sioux nf
ther own defence: .-..-..
uEADQUAR7ERs DEPARTMENT OF DAKoTA,l
ST. PAUL. Mimi, juno Is, 1sso
His E1ee!le'ry Horace dustin, Gorernor cf Mime
GOVERNOR: have the honor ~ acknowledge
the receipt Of your communication OF the 9Th ult,
enclosing leL1eT 10 you lIQu tQE SStklt13 VI ~ Au
in the county OF Lyon, N!an, asking thnt troops
may bc Eent to that part Of the country for their
protection against threatened Indian outbreaks,
tC.
owing 10 my ahsence on the Missouri River,
your communication did not reach INC until after
my return 10 St Paul, which will account for the
del15 IN replying thereto
Will direct the commanding oDlcef OF Fort
Wafsw0rth to examine into the condition Of III.
dian affairs at Lake Traverse, anu stnI \ patrol
there, II necessary, to ascertain II there be any
lust ground Of alarm as to The attitude Of the 1u-
IIans referred to.
asked for 8 squadron OF cavalry last winter,
to he placed at Fort Totten, and also aOfue cavalry
tfy the missouri River 2s n Vrecauton against
possible IutiAn difficulties on this Western frou-
tier. The authorities cunld not furnish me these
troops and have 40 notified mt.
I have but q very small force cast Of the Mis-
souri, River, scattered between Forts Ripley.
Watlswortb, Ransom, Totten, and PepbIna. with
q few men at Fort Ahercrombic, all told not more
than s1l men !or duty at this time. Mali parties,
escorts, trims, DC, are continually passing IT.
tween these frontier posts, which furnish thE only
| patrols have the force at hand TO max" n~.z
few servtceab}e horsea mot to exceed twenty al
! INV rosl lor ouch dutics and they arc thus en-
gagged. can accomplish nptnln2 more with the
force at my disposal than Is heng done at present.
l snal represent to the government The state Of
affairs represented by you your communication,
and II H1ere troops are made dtsposable for this
frontier, will encalnp, At proper points snch Il
the region OF country you refer to. ! am, Cover
nor, very respectfully, yonr obedicnt servant,
WINFIELD s. Hancock,
Mainr General r. g A. Commanding.