New-York tribune., 1874-11-10
REPORT OF GEN. SHERIDAN.

THE DIVISION OF THE MIssoURI-THE EXPEDITION
TO THE BLACK HIIs-THE INDIAN TROUBLES
LARGELY DUE TO THE IMMUNITY WITH WHICH
CRIMES HAVE BEEN TREATED IN The PAST
WHITE SETTLERS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR RECENT
OUTBREAKS
WASHINGTON, Nov. 9.-Lieut. Gen. Sheridan,
in his annual report says: Within the limits OF his COM
mand he Military Division of the Mssour there are 76
established posts and garrisoned by eight rcgl
ments OF cavalry, II regiments OF infantry, ana small
of engineer troops aggregating at the last
Official report II $40 commissioned officers and enlisted
men, says protect the frontier from depredating
bands of Indians; TO assist tho Department Of the In
terror to maintain its authority on the various Indian
Reser vatons explore and survey unknown torrtory
to aid the civil authorities in enforcing the laws and
maintaining peace in remote districts; to escort
national boundary State and Territorial surveying
parties; to protect and defend the advanced lines OF
railway IN the far West. and IN fact to do every
thing within our power to forward the advancing
war of civilization frontiers and at the time
to keep within the limits of appropriation has taxed
subordnates throughout the whole diysion and taking
into consideration the small number of troops. the great
extent Of territory covered by their operations, and the
amount OF money appropriated by Congress to cover
our expenditures have succeeded as well as could be
under Col Custer,,hs says: "The reconnaissance
successful the country of the Black Hills was found to
be much better than was expected with plenty OF good
TIMBER and considerable good soil at high attitudes
and an abundant supply OF good water and grass some
gold found near Harney's Peak. but OF its a6un
dance is at present reliable information suf
cient limo could not be given By an expedition such a.
that OF Col. Clusters to prospect aud determine its
quantity"
a large military post IN the Black Hills counrt. he
reviews some length the Indian troubles In ms de-
parment particulars OF which have heretoo;e % been
published. In regard to the operations OF Col Miles,
teut.-Col. Davidson, Lieut. Col Buell. and Major Price
could co be expected viii be accomplished. aud that
may settle tho Indian question forever so far as the
KiOwas. Comanches, and Cheyennes In the Southwest
respectfully differ with Gen. Pope as to the chief
causes OF these Indian troubles ana - I %
all their raids into Texas for the past three years their
to make the raids, and sheltered them from pursuit
when they returned with their scalps ana pundeha. h
operations OF authorized surveying parties In tue
Indian Territory and Kansas ana also & ,nS Int abe
business 10 which these parties were engaged made war
an exceedingly undesirable thing for them. No man OF
great plains from Nebraska and Wyoming to Texas and
see the established ranches with their nnnareas a.
with the families of the owners. and reasonably tnnS
that these people. so much exposed anu havnE s
wars There was time. possibly. when the population
Of the Indian frontier may have been desir9us OF
troubles but has passed long ago. IL was wneu
the country between the Missouri River ana the socs
Mountains was q barren desert. while now ,' ..e
grazing-ground for tho stock consumed W tho PoP"
This outbreak look to me as being
by the actions Of bad white men or the sale OF wnsN
10 the Indians by the traders tits the result OF tne
restless nature OF the Indian who has no s
arms and naturally seeks for war and plunder Wooo
the graziug gcts high enough to feed bis ponies.
Affairs the Rio Grande line especially on tne Ss
Rio Grande been almost entirely settled since t9o
handsome chasement given 70 the Indians near SANTA
Rosa, In Mexico. oby Col Ackenze OF the ta Cuv sha
airy 1t has resulted In the return OF many OF .no
KickapoO Indians their reservation In the Indian
rnory aud the friendly action on the part OF tne
Mexican authonuos W prevent Anusu '"~' ' w.
future -, - A.. ..,,h
Iinea ne KlO Mexican
but ven tnese recently subsided to great
exteut."