The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-02-08

Strength Of tho sioux-The Arapahoes anc
ChVennes in Search Of Beef-The Troops
in tho Feld-Causes Of the Trouble
Prospects Of q Winter Campaign.

IL
me news tnat comes rom the far Northwest
OF serious Indian disturbances cannot be passed
over on the present occasion as OF little moment.
The Sioux said with other tribes. 70 he On the
warpath, are the most powerful and nercest war
riors on the Continent, and their persistent and
determined opposition to the intrusion of WHITE
men into their territory on any pretence IA well
known. During the past few days tae telegram
has announced and again thrown doubt upon a
report that twenty white men, while engaged IN
chopping wood near Fort Rice, Dakota Tertiary
were murdered by the Sioux. An admss w how
ever Ii made by General Stanley, commanding an
Fort Sully many days travel south, that
the Sioux had made an attack on the
Poncas Agency. which Is occupied BY In
dams who have long lived at peace with
the government, and at which point troops have
had to be stationed to protect them from the as
saults OF their red enemies, Fears are expressed
in another quarter that Red Cloud and Spotted
Tail, with bands OF Cheyennes and ArrapahOes,
contemplate making raid on the settlements
along the Central Pacific Railroad, in consequence
OF the rattons allowed by the Indian Bureau hav-
ing given out and there being no money to pur-
chase further supply. The Indians, we are told,
have the choice OF either starving or engaging in
marauding expeditions The open country, 1t is
sald affords them good opportunity to roam
about
SCENE OF THE REPORTED MASSACRE.
The reports referred to come from points widely
separated. Fort Rice Is in the centre OF Dakota
and the news Of the massacre comes from st. Paul,
Mimi, many hundred miles to the East. Fort
Sully whence the report Is discredted. is also sew
era hundred miles distant from Rice, and the tele
graphic despatch ia sent from YanktOn, still further
away. There being only difference OF one day in
the intelligence obtained from st. Paul and Yank-
ton, and the two places being widely separated
from each other and both far distant from Fort
Rice, in an open and unsettled country, there Ia
too much reason to believe that the Sioux have
commenced one OF their treacherous and bloody
inroads upon the white settlements. The de-
spatches from Omaha are nearer the thickly pOpu-
lated States, and II Messrs. Red Cloud and Spotted
Tail come so far South and East on hostile intent
a suitable reception no doubt awaits them and
their followers.
TROOPS IN THE FIELD.
General Terry Is in command OF the Depar tment.
OF Dakota, headquarters at st. Paul, Mimi. ; Gen.
eral ORD Is in command OF the DEPARTMENT Of the
Platte, with headquarters at Omaha. The bust
ness of Keeping the turbulent savages in
order principally falls to the share Of General
Seventeenth and Twenty -secOnd) and one OfcavaL
ry (Seventh under his command. At Fort Rice,
reported to have taken place, there are three COM
panes OF the latter regiment; there are seven COM
to the British line and battalion 1ave compa
nies) OF the Twenty-second at Fort Sully, where
General H a Is stationed: Scattered over D.
bic, Abraham Lincoln, Clark, Hancock and Grand
River, garrisoned with one or more companies.
sTARvE OR STEAL
The communication between Fort Sully and
Grand River is maintained uninterrupted. There
are about 5000 Indians located there. All they re-
quire Is a SUFFICIENT quantity OF food and they are
willing, 1t would seem, to cultivate the land IN
backward in saying that they must either
starye or steal. A short time before MS
Visited Rver ana accordns to
the report OF the resident agent, the Indians were
delighted to see him. He established school at
the agency Tor the Indian children, and Captain
Hearn, United States Army, stated to the CommiS-
sioner that Father De smet had great deal Of In
white man who does not lie to them" In the sur.
rounding country are many thousand wanderers
Notwithstanding the generosity Of the government
in providing Tor them, the food and raiment fall to
reach the Indians, and such outbreaks as the ono
now referred to disturb half dozen States and
THE YELLOWSTONE EXPEDITION.
The several expeditions along the projected line
OF the Northern Pacific Railroad, which passes
oga ae ad e tne mas
ence must be made with many OF the Indian reser-
vations, the possession of winch has been guaran-
nearly 5000 regular troops, nat marched
his force was constantly assailed. 1t is portion
OF these tribes that have now come down as far
the garrison at that place. General Terry mas all
the necessary force to chastlse the marauders,
but still in view Of the other roads projected
should receive such attention OF Congress as wit
avoid repetition Of these serious and bloody
difficulties.
THE CHEYENNES AND ARRAPAHOES.
The Cheyennes and Arrapahoes have been
Knocked about during the past lew years In
manner to exhaust even the strictest kind Of
Christian patience. But some Of their number
were guilty OF atroclous murders In 1858, SO that
General Sherman deemed forbearance with them
impossible. the whole tribes mad to suffer Tor
the acts OF certain OF their MEMBERS They were
broken up and scattered, and have been removed
from one reservation to another at different
times. They have been badly used by the agents
and they now complain that the beef provided
for them by the government is all gone and starva
ton stareS them in the lace. They therefore
threaten to come towards Kansas, their old homes,
and as they are turbulent and treacherously dis
posed, and have given much trouble In the past,
the Tears that are expressed are only natural, and
must put the military commanders on the Qui
giDe to be prepared for and punish sudden inrOads
OF these wild men.
A WINTER CAMPAIGN PROBABLE
The various tribes mentioned can bring into the
field 40, 900 warriors. They grow more desperate
every year. Tor the stretching OF railroads over the
country they nnabit deprives them OF their only
means OF subsistence-the chase. The Sioux are
reckless and well accustomed to fighting. They
rather court conflict with the whites. The Chey-
enneS and Arrapah0cs have become veterans IN
the field; they have measured swords with Sher-
man and Sheridan, aud If they come now on the
General Sheridan, some years since, inaugurated
and successfully carried out campaign III the
depth OF winter for the purpose OF removing rom
the minds OF the savages an impression that white
soldiers could not stand the rgors OF q winter
campaign in the Indian country
JOURNALISTIC NOTES.