The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1870-06-24

Reported Indian Depredati0ns-A GrOundess
Indian Shareholder from General Han
cock TO Governor Austin, Of Minnesota.

From the St. Paul lMlnn.) Press, June 1871
We recently referred to the very groandless ap-
prehenslons excited among the raw settlers on our
remote western frontier by the appearance or r1-
mored appearance OF hunting parties OF ChiDpewas
Sioux ut various localities 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 unwonted
spectacle OF these red men, hablJed in their strange
garb, sruting about the woods and lakes with guns
In their hands, and with the abrupt familiarity of
Indian manners intruding into their domciles and
in an unknown tongue, interpreted by signs, de-
mandng something to eat, was full OF terrible sug
whole families and they could only account for the
appearance OF these uncOuth vstants on the theory
that they had come on an errand of murder and ra-
Tor the appyehensons thus excited IN the bosoms OF
these unsophisticalea iinin.s.r ~
The Governor, In order to assure them, sent some
arms to the localities which deemed Themselves ex
posed to danger, and recommended local oIganiza-
tons for defence, not necessary at ALL but as
serving to give the sense OF security which seemed
General Hancock was absent at the time, but when
he returned a few days ago he addressed the fol-
municaton Of the latter covering request from the
settlers Of Lyon county for military protection
LETTER FROM GENERAL HANCOCK.
HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF DACoTAH,
ST. PAUL, Minn June Ii, 1870.
HIS Exceiency HORACE AUSTIN, Governor OF Mime
GovERNoR-I have the honor to acknowledge the
receipt OF your communication OF the 18th ultlmO,
enclosing letter to you from the settlers OF Lynn,
may De sent to that part OF the country for their
protection against threatened Indian outbreaks &c.
Owing to my absence on the Missouri river your
communication did not reach me until after my re-
turn to ST. Paul, which will account for the delay In
replying thereto.
I viii direct the commanding officer Of Fort Wads-
worth to examine into the condition OF Indian AFFAIRS
at Lake Traverse, and send patrol there. If neces
sary, to ascertain If there be any just ground or
alarm az to the attitude OF the Indians referred to-
asked for q squadron OF cavalry last winter to
be placed nc Fort Totem, and also some cavalry Tor
mo Missouri river as precautlon against possible
indian difficulties on this western frontier The au-
thorties e6id not furnish these troops and nave 30
have but very small force east Of the Missouri
river scattered between forts Ripley, Wadsworth,
Ransom, Totten and Pepbina, with Few men e.
Fort Abercrombie, all told not more than AL men
for duty at this time. Mail parties escorts trains,
&C. are continually passing between these frontier
| posts, which furnish the only patrols have the
| force at hand to make I have few serviceable
horses mot exceed twenty at any posA for sucl
duties, and they are thus engaged. can accom-.
plsn nothing more with the force at my disposal thar
| Is being done at present.
shall represent to the government the state o.
| affairs represented by you IN your communication
and II more troops are d1sposable Tor this T0nter
Will encamp ct proper points such number as VII
give confidence to the settlers In the region OF cOun
try you refer to- am, Governor. very respectfully
WINFIELD S. HANCOCK,
Major General u s. A. Commanding.