The daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1873-1877, 1876-07-10

WASHINGTON, July S.-The secretary of
war to-day addressed the following letter
TO the president
WAR DEPARTMENT, I
WASHINGTON, July 5, 1876.
To the President:
To enable you to answer enclosed resolu-
ton Of the senate OF July Z, have the
honor to submit the following brief state
ment of facts as exhibited by the records
of this department.
The Sioux or Dakota nation of Indians,
embracing various tribes, Yanktons, Yank-
tomas, Brules, Ogallalas, MenneconjOus,
Sous, Aries, Two Kettles, etc, have long
been known as the most brave and warlike
savages OF this continent. They have for
centuries been pushed westward by the ad.
vancing tide of civilization, till in 1867 an
arrangement or treaty was made with them
by special commission named by congress,
whereby, for certain payment or stipula-
tons, they agreed to
SURRENDER THEIR CLAIMS
to all that vast region which lies west of
the Missouri river and north of the Platte
TO live at peace with their neiphbors; to
restrict themselves to a territory bounded
east by the Missouri river, south by Ne
braska, west by tho l04th meridian, and
north by the 10th parallel of latitude, "a
territory as large as Michigan. The terms
of this treaty have been literally perform
ed on the part of the United States, and
have been complied with by the great mass
of Sioux Indians Some of these Indians,
however, have never recognized the bind.
ing force Of this treaty, but have always
TREATED 1T WITH CONTEMPT,
have continued to rove at pleasure, attack
ing scattered settlements in Nebraska,
Wyoming, Montana and Dakota, stealing
horses and cattle, and numbering peaceful
inhabitants and travellers. On November
9, 1875, United States Indian Inspector
+. G.. Watkins made an elaborate report
TO the commissioner of Indian affairs, in
which he uses this language: " have the
honor to address you in relation to the at.
titude and condition of certain wild and
hostile bands OF Sioux Indians in Dakota
and Montana that came under my observa.
ton during my recent tour through the
country, and what | think should be the
policy of the government toward them
refer to Sitting Bulls band, and
other bands of the Sioux ma.
of less note, but no less untamable and
hostile These Indians occupy the centre
so TO speak, and roam over western Dakota
and eastern Montana, including the rich
valleys of the Yellowstone and Powder
rivers, and make war on the Arickarees
Mondams, Gros Nentres. Assinabonies
friendly tribes. On circumference from
IL IL, L,
north and west steal horses and plumber
from all the surrounding tribes as well as
frontier settlers and luckless white hunter
or emjgrauts who are not in sufficient force
10 resist them. After describing at grea
length their character and supposed
numbers given az few hundred he says
The true politely, in my judgement, is t
SEND TROOPS AGAINST THEM IN WINTEI
the sooner tie better, and whip them int
subsection. They richly merit puui,hmen
for their incessant warfare and thei
numerous murders of white settlers an
their families, or white men whereve
found unarmCd. The force estimated Il
necessary to whip them was 1000 men.
This communication was submitted b
the commissioner of Indian affairs, Hon
Edward =. Smith, to the honorable secrt
tary Of the interior, H. Chandler, who i
turn, submitted it 10 the then secretar
OF war, Gen. Beikuap, for his considers
ton aud action. In subsequent con
muncation of the secretary Of the intcrio
of Dec. 8, 1875, to the secretary Of wa
occurs this language Il have the hone
to inform you that have this day direc
ed the commissioner of Indian affairs
notify said Indian, Sitting Bull, and other.
outside OF their reservation that the
must remove to their reservation bc(oI
Jan. 81, 1876; that if they neglect or n
fuse so to move, they will be reported
the war department as hostile Indian,
and that military fore will be sent
compel them TO obey the order of tn
Indian Office On the LIST Of Feb, I'll
secretary of the interior further notifie
the secretary of war that the time give
Sitting Bull in which to return to q
agency having expired and advices r,
ceiyed at the Indian office being to ii
effect that
SITTING BULL STILL REFUSES TO COMPL
with the direct us of the commissions
the said Indians are hereby turned over
the war department Tor such action on Il
proper under the circumstances. Durir
all the stages OF this correspondence q
general Of the army aud his subordina
commanders were duly notified and we,
making preparations for striking a blow
these hostile savages,-an en,erpri
of almost insurmOuntable difficult
in the country where in whit
the thermometer often falls 10
l..l. -.
BILE 10 procure food for man or beast. 4
expedition was fitted out under the pc
sonal control o. Brig. Gen. George Croo
nu officer OF great merit and experience
which in March last marched from for
Fetterman and Laramie h. the Powder al
Yellowstone valleys struck and
DESTROYED THE VILLAGE or CRAZY
HORSE.
one Of the hostile bands referred t. by Il
Indian inspector Watkins; bat the weatl
or was found 50 bitter cold and other di
cultles SO great arose that Gen. Gro,
returned To- Fort Laramie, in measure u
successful 80 far as the main purpose W
concerned These Indians occupy lar
of the department of Dakota and d
Platte commanded by Brig Gems. Ter
and Crook respectively, but the whole
Immediately commanded by Lieut. &c
Sheridan, who has given this matter /
special attention. Preparations were tn,
made on a larger scale, and the colum
were put in motion as early in May as pC
sible from Fort Abe Lincoln on the NJ
souri, river, under Gen. Terry; from Fl
Ellis, in Montana, under Gen. Gibbon, a
from Fort Fetterman. under Gen. Croo
These columns were as strong as could
maintained In that iphospitaEIo rrrior