Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1874-07-25
Cur Indian IrOuhIes.

THE HOSTILE CHEYHsNRs AND ARRAPAHoEs-
PURSUING INDIANS ON THE OBSERVATIONS
GEEERAL SHERMAN, THE SECRETARY OF WAR
AND THE SECRETARY OF THE INTERIOR IN
ACCORD ON THE SUBJECT.
The recent orders of the War department d.
recting our troops to pursue hostile Indians into
their reservations, when necessary, has given
rise 10 a rumor that the War and Interior de-
paItments are at variance on this particular
point The following correspondence shows
that General Sherman, the Secretary of War
the Secretary of the Interior, and the commits
sioner of Indian affairs are in entire accord on
the subject:
On the 18th Instant Gen. sherman sent tele-
gram TO Gen. Sheridan saying: "Don't you
think il would be well to order the 9th and 10th
cavalry to converge on Fort Sill and settle this
matter at once, and prevent the Indians from
Turning towards Texas-as they naturally will
to get even especially if they have got the
worst of it thus far. Each detachment could
follow some fresh trail and word could be sent
the friendly Indians in advance TO collect for
safety at Fort Sill. The hostiles should be
stripped OF all horses, mules, &c. Unless some
thing is done now the rascals will merely rest
and start afTesh."
In transmitting an official copy of this teIe-
gram to the Secretary of War General Sher-
man Endorsed it as follows: Respectfully for
waIded TO the Secretary of War inviting his
special attention, and asking the positive com
initial of the Secretary of the Interior to the
necessity now of following these rading parties
OF Indians back into the reservation aud there
Furnishing the guilty parties. If these Indians
may, on every provocStlon, real or assumed
sally forth and kill and steal from the exposed
frontiersmen we can never expect peace. De-
fensiyely IL will require 10000 cavalry To give
even partial protection, but Extensively a
thousand cavalry can follow them and punish
them as there surely merit"
Under date of the 10th instant the Secretary
of War forwarded these communications to the
Secret ary of the Interior, saying that he con-
CURED I'm the views of Gen. Sherman and asking
the early reply OF the Secretary If the action
which was recommended met with his recon-
mendation."
These communications were referred by Gen
Cowen, Acting Secretary of the Interior, to
Commissioner Smith, of the Indian bureau,
who says in his reply sc have the honor to
refer TO official letter of May 18th. in which |
recommended that reservation lines be no such
barrier to the pursuit by the military of ma
raudiDg Indians as to hinder the forces from
striking these Indians and Furnishing them be-
fore they should reach the main body OF the
tribe. also called attention to the necessity
OF exercising great care in such use of the mil
itary upon reservations to prevent indiscrim
mate slaughter OF the innocent with the guilty
and proposed to throw the responsibility OF such
care in each case upon the commanding OFF GER
Strict measures should be immedi-
ately taken to keep the friendly Indians
from the others, and permission should he
offered to others who are friendly, aud
have not had opportunity to join them,
TO come il; then all who persist in hostility CT
who have been guilty of murder should be pur-
sued and punish d. = = 1t IL proper in
this connection that mention should be made of
the prominent causes which have led to the
present state Of things. /. The failure TO pun.
ish the COmanches according to promise for
their repeated and persistent raids and murders
in Texas. 2. The failure of the government TO
protect the reservation Indians from the white
buffalo hunters and horse thieves aud whisky
traders, who have swarmed over this lndi An
country during the past winter, slaughtering
the buffalo by the thousands for their hides
and driving OF large numbers OF Indian PONIES
to Kansas. only wish il were possible under
law for the Hon. Secretary OF War to senf his
forces to the homes OF these marauders, aud
compel justice from them as well as from the
IndiaTs."
In transmitting the Commissioners letter TO
the Secretary OF War, Gen. b. Il. COwen, Act
ing Secretary of the Interior, concurTed in the
recommendation of the Commissioner, and adj
viscd action according TO his suggestions.
Under d ate of the 2Oth instant. Gen BeIknap
Secretary Of War, wrote TO the Secretary of the
Interior acknowledging the receipt of his com
municaton, aud saying that Gen. Sherman lac
directed hostile Indians to be struck either
on or Off their reservations, and that great care
would he taken not TO iujure friendly ones.
Under date of the Goth, Commissioners Smith
forwarded kilograms to Superintendent HoAg
and the agents in the Indian territory, inform
ing them OF the determination OF the Interior
department relative to the hostile Indians in
the territory mentioned, and skiing them to CO
operate in the protection OF the innocent and
the punishment of the guilty. He also informed
them that friendly Indians must come in al
once and he enrolled, and must be req uirei t.
answer TCll call CailV