The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-06-25
FRONTIER DEFENSE.
Hancock to Governor Austin.

Hancock to Governor Austin.
Saws the St. Paul Press OF June 2O:-- > h
We recently referred TO the very groundess appre-
tensions excited among the raw settlers our re-
mote Western frontier by the appearance OF hunt
ing parties OF Chippewas and Sioux at various loca
ties which they have been accustomed to visit for
hunting purposes from time immemoriaL But to
the new settlers, fresh from Norway, or Germany,
or elsewhere, the unw0nted spectacle OF these red
men, habited in their strange garb, strut
ting about the woods and lakes with guns
in their hands, and with the abrupt familiarity
of Indian manners intruding into their domicls and,
in an unknown tongue, interpreted by signs, de-
manding something to eat was fun Of terrible sug-
whole families, and they could only account for the
appearance Of these uncouth vsltants on the theory
that they had come on an errand OF murder and
rapine. OF course there was not the slightest
grounds for the apprehensions thus excited in the
bosoms Of these unsophisticated emigrants These
Indians are perfectly friendly and harmless, have
always lived in the country, and are simply engaged
in their regular visits to their old haunts.
est danger is to be apprehended from
them, However, the appearance Of small parties on
their old hunting grounds occasoned something like
panic, and the rnmor spread over the whole from
tier, gathering as 1t went till at last, in great
many localities, the settlers began to believe that
frontier In this state of mind they sent to Governor
Austin for arms and other protection from the sup
posed danger. The Governor, in order to reasSure
them, sent some arms to the localities which
deemed themselves exposed to danger from this
imaginary enemy, and recommended local organiza-
tions for defense, not as necessary at all, but as
serving to give the sense OF security which seemed
General Hspcoc was absent at the time: but
when he returned a few days ago, he addressed the
following letter to Governor Austin, in reply to a
communication Of the latter covering request from
the settlers Of Lyon county for military protection
This letter will show our frontier readers that Gene
raj Hancock has no force at his disposal for frontier
guard, other than those scattered in the various
frontier posts barely sufficient to man Them and if
they choose to indulge the fancy that they are
threatened with an Indian raid from the peaceful
and friendly Sioux OF Dakota it will be necessary to
organize for their own defense -. ~ n =.
HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF DAKOTA, ST.
PAUL, Mimi, June 10, 1S70.-His Excellency Ho-
race Austin, Governor OF Minnesota a-GovernOr: =
have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your
communication of the Sth ultimo. enclosing letter
to you from the settlers Of Lynn, in the county of
Lyon, Minnesota, asking that troops may be sent to
threatened Indian outbreaks, etc. ...rs
Owing to my absence on the Missouri river, your
communication did not reach me until after my re-
turn to St. Paul. which VIII account for the delay In
1 will direct the commanding officer of Fort
Wadsworth to examine into the condition of In0ian
affairs at Lake Traverse, and send patrol there If
necessary to ascertain If there be any just ground
ferred to. ...
asked for a squadron of cavalry last winter, to
be placed at Fort Totten, and also some cavalry for
the Missouri river as preeantion against possible
Indian dif1icultes on this Western frontier The
authorities could not furnish me these troops, and
have so notified me.
i have but a very small force east of the Missouri
River, scattered between Forts Ripley Wadsworth,
Ransom, Totten and Pembna, with few men at
Fort Abercrombe, all told not more than 421 men
for duty at this time. Mail partes escort trains,
ETC., continually passing between these frontier
posts which furnish the only patrols have the force
at haud to make have q few servicable horses
not TO exceed twenty at any post for such duties,
and'they are thus engaged. can accomplish no.
thing more with the fore at my disposal than is
being done at present ,.. = g.
Ishall represent to the Government the state OF
AFFAIRS represented by you in your communication,
and If more troops are made disposable for thi:
ber as will give Coincidence to the Settlers in the
region of country you refer to. i am, Governor
very respectfully, your obedient servant,
WINFIELD s. HANCOCK,
Major-General U. S. A. COMMANDING