The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-02-14
THE SANGUINARY SIOUX.
Prospect of a Bloody War with
1000 Young Braves.
Frontier Settlers in Dan
ger Of Slaughter.
RED CLOUDS MURMURS.
The Recent Murders To Be Summarily
Avenged by the Military.

Avenged by the Military.
WASHINGTON, Feb. IL, 1874.
Mr.. Steele, the Congressional Delegate from Wy
omng Territory, who Is daily in receipt OF ad-
vices from Cheyenne, on being asked with regard
to the threatened Indian outbreak, said that as
yet 1t could not be ascertained whether it was q
concerted movement or not. At the Red Cloud
and MILESTONE agencies, which are about
forty miles apart. there are men, women and
children comprising about $4,000 Indians, to whom
the government for some time past has been issu-
ing rations. The time OF issue Is twice q month,
when they receive so many beeves on the hoof,
-four, coffee and sugar.
rs STARVATION RETRRNCHMENTp
Recently orders have been sent out by the Indian
Bureau to retrench much as possible in order to
satisfy the Congressional demand for economy.
Mr.. Appleton, who was killed at the Red Stone
Agency, was the issue clerk at the place, and was
doubtless killed by the Minnecojars' Sioux Chief,
because he either refused to issue him rations or
did not in quantity satisfy his demands.
The MinnecOjars Sioux do not in reality belong to
the agency. They are different band OF the same
Indians They belong properly farther north, and
are the Indians with whom there have been fights
along the line OF the Northern Pacific Railroad They
come down frequently in parties to these agencies
and draw ratiOns as though they belonged to the
peaceful indians. They virtually make these res
ervations depot OF supplies and also means OF
procuring ammunition.
RESOURCES OF THE INDIANS.
The reason why the Delegate is not convinced
that it IS prec0ncerred outbreak is the fact that
they did not kill the agents and all the other
whites, or destroy the agency buildings which
they would have done had war been determined
on. Prudence, however, demanded that at once
the most complete precautions should be taken.
The Sioux Indians at these agencies could bring
into the field in the neighborhood OF 200 warriors
mounted and well armed. They would break up
into bands and attack all the small settlements Of
Wyoming. which are in great measure entirely at
their mercy. They could also tear up the rail-
road at different points and seriously interfere
with the overland travel II would take q large
force of cavalry perhaps TO- 900 men, to eectually
whip these Indians should it prove q general war;
Infantry would be OF no account except as a guard
along the railroad. There is but little doubt that
number OF the young men OF Red Clouds and
Spotted Tails bands are at present very restless
These chiefs have both in q large measure lost
their influence in their tribes, and Western men
who have had any experience among Indians
know that Is the case In every instance where a
chief talks peace.
THE YOUNG BRAVES THIRsT1NG FOR BLOOD.
The young men are eager Tor war, as no Indian
is OF any account in his tribe until he has taken
scalp and captured horses. Spotted TAIL who be-
longs to the MILESTONE Agency, when at Chey-
enne, few days ago, complained that the treaty
made with him by the whites had not been kept.
He did not want the Great Father to send him any
more words about going to the Missouri River.
He wanted to stay where he was He wanted
what had been promised him to be brought to
Cheyenne, and then his people could haul out the
supplies to the agency and get paid for the work.
ALLEGED CHEATING OF THE SIOUX.
The Indians were cheated and swindled In what
came by the way Of the Missouri River. 1t was
q bad road and some of the things must be lost
on the way, as they did not get what was promised
to them. He wanted plOughs, so he could break
up some land and plant it in the spring, and school
houses for his children. Delegate Steel Is very
decided in the expression OF the opinion that 1t
would be better to transfer the charge OF the
Indians to the War Department; that 1t
properly belongs there and that army Officers
would command much more respect
than civilian agents. As class army of1cers are
strictly honest. The Indians could not complain
that they were swindled. Besides, Indians only
respect men who they think can at any moment
bring force to compel their obedience. CIVILIAN
agent is not looked upon as o chief. An army
ot1cer is looked upon as warrior and big chief
THE CONFLICT OF AUTHORITY
between the Interior and War departments
causes no end Of confusion. The power which
makes treaties with them should be that which
can enforce them. The Indians do not understand
this double authority over them. There never will
be any permanent peace until some regular
system is adopted In managing the Indians
II the Indians are to be confined to the reserva-
tons the government viii have to feed them.
II not and they are allowed to hunt
there will be continued depredations, as the set.
Elements growing in all directions the routes
which they take in their buffalo hunts. It is evil
dent that number OF young men have left the
reservation. contrary to the treaty stipulation,
Lieutenant Robinson and Corporal Coleman we're
killed south Of the Platte, which is some distance
outside OF the limits.
THE OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE.
The following Is the Offlcia correspondence relat-
ing to the recent departure OF Spotted Tail from his
reservation and the reasons given by that brave
for desiring change OF iocation:-
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
WASHINGTON, Feb. 3, 1874.
To Hon. ]. A. CAMPBELL. Cheyenne, w. T. -
Advise Spotted Tail to return to reservation and
government. This will secure him protection and
Kindness and promote the welfare or his people.
y. DELANO, secretary.
SPOTTED TAILS REPLY.
Governor Campbell replied, transmitting to the
Secretary Of the Interior, at Spotted Tails re-
quest, hts remarks upon the telegram being read
to him. Governor Campbell says he is evidently
disposed to make complaints about his agent II he
can get anybody to listen to them; but, whether
he has any reason for this or is only being made
tool OF by designing men, the Secretary and Com
missioner are unable to judge Governor Camp
bell hopes that he will not be permitted to leave
his reservation, at least to come 10 Cheyenne
again, as his visits can be productive Of no good
whatever.
Spotted Tail left Cheyenne for his reservation on
the Sd inst. His remarks upon the telegram Of
the Secretary advising him to go to his reservation
were enclosed in the Governors communication,