The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1874-06-25
ThelailyArrala
IMponrANr INDIAN NEWS.


furnished IN bya friendly correspond.
ent, II will be seen that, NJ the sollclla-
tlon OF brovct Major General J, w,
Davidson, commanding NJ Fort Slll,
the war department has granted per-
mission TO the army 30 follow Indian
raiders on the lands Of the reservation
This win have q most wholesome Of
feet In lettering raiders from depre'
dptIng, rs II Hits the mantle OF lmpIl"
nifty under which they have 80 long
acted.
General Davidson viii be remem-
bered by the people Of Texas for his
noble conduct In the promises The
officers of the army ARE steadily gain
Ing the confidence of our people, and
with such splendid officers IN the field
~ General Mckenzie aud Davidson
aud the late lamented Lieutenant Ilud-
son, Texans are coming TO realize
that American soldiers nrc once more
the protectors of II common country,
and no longer tho unwilling lnstru-
ments Of political persecution. Would
to God how many McKeD2les and Da-
Wilson's there might be on our frontier,
Read the documents below;
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
OFrfCE on INDIAN AFgAilts,
WAsHiNoroN ID, u, May H. lhl }
SIR--l have the honor To acknowl-
edge the receipt, by department refer
ence of n communication from the sec
Rotary of war, forwarding report Of
Captain Carlton Of the tenth cavalry,
TO Colonel Davidson, commanding
Fort Sill, in which Captain Carlton
states that Indians from the reserva-
ton fired on his camp on the 9th uti-
mo- from distance Of eighty-ilve
PAGES and retired leaving one revolt
yer, one saddle and three s0ddle-bank-
cts, and that this II the second In
stance in which these Indians have
committed this net within three weeks.
The trail was followed the next morn
ing upon the reservation leading to-
ward Fort Sill.
Colonel Davidson renews his appli-
cation TO the war department for au-
thority to follow Indians In such eases
upon the reservation and punish them,
In connection with this report, | beg
to state that information from the
agent ut Fort Sill leaves no doubt that
the Comnnches are frequently raiding
into Texas, Notwithstanding their re-
iterated pledge to cease raldlng. |
deem II II special hindrance to the dis
cipllne and attempted civilization of
these Indians that they should be al
lowed to violate the pledges with inn
punity and make their reservation Il
refuge for crime.
The difficulty which the service has
labored under heretofore, in furnishing
these raiders has consisted largely in
that we cannot strike the guilty par
ties without making indiscriminate
slaughter among the innocent, hut it
will be seen that In the case rs stated
by Colonel Davidson this difficulty IL
obviated. Any band Of Indiands
found along the Red river can be there
only for mischief and If they commit
depredations, across the Texas
line, and can DO followed
upon q hot trail and struck
by the military before reaching the
camps of other Indians. believe such
action will be in the way of protection
to the settlers and will enforce the
growing sentiments among the Co
manches against raidng
The main part of these Indians are
peaceably inclined, but declare that
they cannot restrain some of their
wild young men. If Colonel Davidson
could strike some Of the murauders in
the act, or before they join the main
band, in my Judgment he should not
be restrained from so doing by the res
ervation line.
or course great care and vigilance
should be exercised to strike only those
who are on % marauding expedition,
and before they reach the camps of the
tribe. The responsibility of executing
this duty In manner so discreet rs
toguard against the liability to indis-
criminate slaughter must rest with
the military commander.
III these views meet with the ap-
prevail of the honorable secretary, |
respectfully suggest that the war de-
partment be requested to authorize
Colonel Davidson to carry out his rec
ommendation to punish marauding
Indians within the limits above sci
forth.
The papers In the case are herewith
respectfully returned
Very respectfully, your obedient SER
want,
EDw. p. SMITH, Commissioner.
The honorable Secretary of the Int
rior: