New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1872-07-18
WASHINGTON.
Telegram from the President-His Con-
tinued Absence.


tinued Absence.
WASHINGTON, July 1.-THE President
yesterday sent telegram to the White
House, stating that he would not be in
Washington for week unless he was tele-
graphed to come on business of Importance.
A contract for carrying the mails from
Corpus Christi to Brownsville, Texas, has
been awarded to F. P. Sawyer at $l4,6
per annum. The route from Orange to
Weiss Bluff, Texas, has been let to z. 3.
Dwyer at $4,000 per annum. From Gal
weston to BrazOs Santiago there has as yet
no award been made.
The War Department to-day sent to the
Interior Department, for its information, a
bundle Of reports from army officers sta
toned in the Southwest, in relation to the
state of affairs with the Indians Of that
section. Lieutenant Steven O'COnnor,
commanding at Camp Crittenden, Texas,
reports, under date of May %, that two
days before the Indians made descent on
Mr.. Hughes rancho, two miles below that
post, stole twO horses and killed one of his
wOrkingmen. This was the second visit to
Mr.. Hughes rancho by the Indians during
the month.
On the day preceding the date of his re-
port the Indians were seen lurking around
the government beef herd, evidently with
the intention of stampeding them. Proper
precautions were taken and their object
frustrated. Lieutenant O'COnnor adds:
''The Indians are getting very bold, and, no
doubt. are thoroughly posted as to the
strength of the garrison"
A postscript to the report, dated May "a.
says: "Three citizens reached here last
evening from the SOuit a valley.
They report finding the dead body of
Terrence CosgroYe III his rancho, about
fifteen miles south cf this post, every
thing showing that ne Indians had done
the deed. Lieutenant Thomas Garvey, of
| the First Cavalry, repo IS from Fort Whip
pie, Wyoming Territorr June 30 three
days scout in pursuit OF Indians supposed
to be Verde or Fontas, who had stolen
mules near Fort Prescott The Indians
were hard pressed and compelled to aban-
don large quantities of PROV siOns, blankets,
etc., which were destroyed.
A portion of the provisions left behind
was the flesh of the animals killed by them
on this raid, and but partially dried The
Indians made their escape in a deep canon,
which Lieutenant Garvey had not a sufi-
ciently large force to thoroughly explore.
Colonel w. II. Wood, commanding at
Fort Griffin, Texas, under date of June 10,
forwards a report of the massacre of the
Lee family, as obtained by Lieutenant Gil
bruath, of the Eleventh Infantry, who was
sent to obtain the particulars Lieutenant
Gilbruath says:
of exceeding bnntality The following
named persons were in the house at the
time of the attack, which was about $50 P.
NJ, Sunday, June 9, 1872, to wit: Abel Lee
and Lille Lee, each aged about sixty years;
Francis Lee, aged eight years; Cordelia
Lee, aged fifteen years. Susanna Lee, aged
seventeen years; John Abel Lee, aged six
years; and a man named Mccarthy. Abel,
Lille and Francis Lee we're killed, the
Qlf1 man gitfiuU in his dnop sha
old lady in the same room, and
the little girl while running from
the house. All were killed with arrows,
and all of them scalped. Every particle Of
skin on which the hair grew was removed
from the head. Mrs. Lees ears were cut
off, and the bodies of both herself and Mr..
Lee we're u Hated, and arrows left stick
ing in them. CUrdelia, Susanna and John
Abel Lee were taken prisoners by the In
dians, and / am informed that the party
camped at from eight to fifteen miles
from the house of Mr.. Lee on the night
of the murder. Owing to the high state of
the water, and tbs smallness of his force,
Lieutenant Gilbruath was unable to 90 in
pursuit of the Indians On the eleventh
Colonel Wood sent out two small scouting
parties in pursuit, but, under the cirGum-
stances, had but little hope of a successful
result"
General Augur, commanding the depart
ment of Texas, in forwarding the above,
indOrses it as follows: Colonel Mackenzie
got OFF from Richardson on the fourteenth
Of June, and it is hoped his movements
may prevent these raids on the Northern
Texas frontier for the time being at least.
l fear more extensive operations will have
to be undertaken against these Indians be-
fore they will remain peaceable. With Mex
leo on one side and the reservations on the
other as places of refuge and security for
themselves and their plunder, the present
defensive system viii not effect much"
General Sheridan, in forwarding to the
Adjutant General Of the army. says: u
fully coincide in the views Of General Au-
CUR"