The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-06-15

| EXTRACT FROM THE REPORT OF CAPTAIN LUD-
Low ON THH HILL COUNTRY IMPRACTICAL
BuTTY or THE EFFORT TO REMOVE TEE
.NDIANs-eENERAL TERRY's ENDORSEMENT.
WASHINGTON June IA, 1875.
II. 7. Crosby, Chief Clerk OF the War Depart
ment, in the absence OF the Secretary OF War and
by his direction, forwarded TO the Secretary OF
the Interior the following extract from the report
OF Captain William Ludlow, Corps OF Engineers,
on the reconnaissance TO the Black Hills In July
and August, 1s74;-
Whatever may ultimately be determined as TO
the existence OF large amounts OF precious metal
IN the Black Hills the evidence gathered tho
trip was, conclude, on the whole discouraging
70 that suppostion. The real wealth and value Of
terry dissimilar in character TO the remaining
portion of the territory in which it les its fertility
and freshness, It's variety oil resources ana de-
lighttul climate, the protection IL affords both
against the torrld heats and arctic storms OF the
neighboring prairles, will eventually make 1t tue
home OF thronging population. TO THIS, how.
ever, the 1ual
SOLUTION OF THE INDIAN QUESTION
IS an Indispensable preliminary. The region
is cherished by the owners botn as hunt
ing ground and an asylum. The more far
;sghted, ALTERNATING the time when hunt,
subsistence OF the wild tribes will no longer SUI
nee to tnat end, have looked forward TO settling
manent home, and there awaiting the gradual
extinction which Id their fate. For these reasons
no occupation Vi Dy whites Will Ue kOl-
Grated. Not so long as the majority OF the In
dams live beyond the control OF tue United states
government can any treaty be made with them,
looking 60 the REIMBURSEMENT OF their rights OF
ownership, which Will command observance by
the hostile tribes. Even II, under the authority OF
tho Reservation INDIANS, the occupation OF the
Black Hills should become possible, settlements
there could only be protected by force and the
presence OF a considerable military power. Hos
tile ncursions would not be infrequent, nor
AN OCCASIONAL MASSACRE
unlikely and these are conditions uniavorable 70
rQ AZ NOR nj lNftI1 rana
TIE Indians have no country further west TO
which they can emigrate, and only the Saskatche-
wan country north OF the United States boundary,
and which IL still tine range OF the buffalo, offers
them o possible home. IL Is probable that the best
use to be made OF the Black Hills Tor the next fifty
years would be as the permanent reservation for
tue Sioux where they could be taught occupations
OF pastoral CHARACTER which OF all sem,-clviIized
means or subsistence, would be most natural and
easy Tor them and result In relieving the United
states government OF tne burden Of Inelr support
Captain OF Engineers, U. S. A., Cnlef Engineer De-
partment OF DAKOTA.
To the ASSISTANT ADJuTANr GENERAL, Department
OF Dakota.
The following letter OF General Terry. command
ing the Department Of Dakota, written 10 the AS
sistant Adjutant General OF the Military Division
OF the Missouri, where the report was forwarded,
was also sent to the Secretary of the Interior:-
LETTER FROM GENERAL TERRY.
HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT or DAKoTAl
ST. PAUL, MIMI, May 10, 1875. !
ASSISTANT ADJUTANT GENERAL Military Division OF
tue MISSOURI Chicago, Ill. -
SIR have the honor to forward herewith the
report OF Captain William Ludlow, Corps OF En-
glneers and Chief Engineer OF the Department on
the reconnaissance to the Black Hills In July aud
August, 1874, and enclosures The maps designed
10 accompany this report have been forwarded by
Captain Ludlow to The headquarters OF the mill
tary division. 1 desire TO invite especial atten-
ton 70 that portion OF this report In which Cap
tain Ludlow SPEAKS OF the use TO which the Black
Hlls country should be devoted. l heartily con-
cur ia the opinions which he expresses. l am, sir,
very respectfully your obedlent servant,
ALFRED H. TERRY,
Brigadler General United states Army, command