New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1872-05-29
TIE LAST INDIAN MASSACRE AND OUR
INDIAN POLICY
A soLprERLY LETTER FROM GEN. HAzEN.

A sOLDIERLY LETTER FROM GEN. HAZEN.
To the Editor Of The Tribune
SIR: have this morning read the sckening
details Of the massacre Of whole trainpary OF l6
persons by Indians at Howard's Wells In Texas The
worst feature Of this account is the mistake in attempt
ing charge it to Indians from Mexico and to Mexcans
and negroes thus excung ourselves from the perform
ance Of a duty which we have long evaded
served two years along the line Of Forts Inge, Clark
Stockton, and Towards Wells before the war, and know
perfectly the habits of the Indians, who have always
made the Wells point for attack and had after the
war; for year. charge Of the Indians who make these
raids Moreover the past month have suffered ex-
cruclang torture and partial paralysis from ball re-
ceived 10 years ago, Towards Wells, from party
OF these same Indians They probably other than
a band of Comanches who inhabt the borders OF the
Saked Plain and are associated with the Kowas and
Comanches Of the Fort Sill Reservation, the latter fur
nshng recruits for all expeditions into Texas and Mex
leo which are constantly made the persons who 80
being known by name.
These indians have a great many Mexican prisoners,
some Of negro blood. captured in childhood for by no
other means are thesepeope associated with Indians
on their raids; and yet in five successful encounters
with them in that vicinity there always some one
present who told the story OF Mexicans andnegroes
There is not full but some expedition leaves their
Reservation, direct for murder and massacre In Texas
reported not less than twenty to the Government when
/
action was TAKEN and Texas has been refused by Con-
cress an investigation into these facts have listened
for hours when had military power thereto Satanic
and Satank recOuntng dozens OF such scenes as Gen.
Merritt relates So little Importance was given these
matters at the Reservation and by the Government that
satanta boosted meritorious act OF his Leading the
attack at the OF the Governmenttrain party
near Fort Griffin last Spring. dreaming but that
Cen Sherman would pass it over, and give him extra
ratons for promise be good had been done dozens
OF times before and ia all probability would have been
done hen only for the presence Of Gen. Sherman 'r'
Iinaelrated tho peaceful side Of the Indian policy at
Fort Sill but lust as was ready to commence the con-
Joint and equally necessary policy that OF force was re-
called and the latter has been carried OUT Unti
il is Merrts story OF Towards Wells and that OF the
Fort Griffin supplytran, last May will be often re-
heated The staked Plain Comanches, only few
hundred warriors full cooperation with the In
dams on the Reservation and small party OF Apaches
have always been in the habit OF crossing into Mexico
along the trail by Towards Wells and until their haunts
are broken mp by military force will continue 10 40 H.
drawing of tho young men from the Reservation.
gentleman Of the utmost rustworhiness, writing on the
1st instant from the Reservation, says: The hiowas
and Comanches are depredatng in Texas worse than
everv will repeat that these depredators are always
known or with the least care might be- both when they
depart and when they return, and that the lhuahs
for these with the full knowledge OF the
Government officers at Reservation, that these rads
extend back over period Of 20 years. and that every
grown man OF the Comanche and kowa tribes 10 whom
we issue ratons is murderer of many men, women and
children and Is still carrying on this murderous lfe
Until there is competent military surveillance OF these
Indians or they are dsarmed dsmoted the present
policy with them is cOpartnership III murder
Yours, W. b. HAzES
Colonel 9th Infanty, Bvt Major-GeneraL
Siour City, Iowa, May 81, 1872.