The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-05-24
WAR IN THE BLACK MILLS.
Gen. Crook Fighting savagcs who bavo
been Armed by the Government.

CHEYENNE, w. T., May 22.-All but two
companies OF the Third Cavalry left Fort ID. A.
Russell to-day for Fort Fetterman. The latter
is to be the rendezvous for troops drawn from
Forts Mcpherson, Russell, and Sanders, and Sid
ney Barracks and Medicine Bow; and from It
two columns, respectively under Col. Royal and
Major Evans OF the Third Cavalry, and both
commanded by Gen. Crook himself will shortly
penetrate the Indian country in search Of the
notorious sitting Bull, Crazy Horse, and other
hostile Sioux chiefs.
Meanwhile, Gen. Terry approaches In two col
umns from the east. and Col. Gibbon In like
manner from the west. Indeed, 1t looks ominous
for poor Lo, and as though the Last Of the Mo-
hicans was to be rcenactcd. hut, unfortunately,
hunting Indi ms In the Big Horn and Powder
and WIND river countries, whittier these troops
are destined, Is Ike searching for needle In a
haystack. However, these combined expedi-
tiOns are the largest that have been attempted
for many years. Gen. Crook Will have IN all
about twenty companies, sixteen OF cavalry, and
three or four of Infantry. Or the former, ten
companies viii be taken from the Third and
ak from the Second Re1iment. and comprise
ali Of those engaged last March In the attack
upon aud destruction OF Crazy Horses village.
That expedition, II will be remem bered, met
with unusually severe and Indictment weather.
and was but partially successful. In conse-
quenco thereof several courts martial were con-
yened at this point. and two officers OF tho Sec
ond Cavalry brought to TRIAL. The Colonel Of
the Third Cavalry and Captain OF the same
regiment, remain under arrest ana await trial.
Regarding this prospective expcdition 1t may
safely be predicted that, II the Indians be en-
cJuntered ut all. II will result more successfully
than the former one. Gen. Crooks established
reputation az TN Indian fighter, while not
1eopardized, was at least disturbed by the un.
fortunate results attending hts winter campaign,
and he seems determined to leave no stone I'm
turned TO render the present one as brilliant "a
Indian warfarc can be made. While his troops
have been assembling, ne himself, accompanied
10y his aide-de- camp, Lieut.. Bour<e. has been
securing guides ut the agencies Of Red Cloud
and Spotted FAIL, and endeavOrng to lncite the
ordinarily peaceful Ogallailas and Drules against
their hostile Northern brethren, n repetition Of
the policy he pursued In his campaigns against
the Apaches IN Arizona. When returning from
Red Cloud he narrowly escaped an attack, all the
Inmates Of the stage coach, but ten miles In his
rear, being shot, scJlped, aud horribly mutilited
The town IL rife with rumurs OF massacres In
aud about the Black Hills, and II IL said that the
roads are lined with the carcases of the muir
dered, stripped OF every particle Of flesh by the
coyotes and wolves.
Our Indian policy Ia n wonderful institution.
The snectacle Is now presented OF United states
troops marching against hostile bands that nave
been provided with the newest and most Inn
proved patterns Of arms and with fixed ammu-
milton, by the appOintees Of the Government
Indian traders. 1t Is the War versus the Interior
Department. That miners who encroach upon
the Indian reservation, guaranteed by solemn
treaty, are shot. IL not to be wondered at and
suspect that this Indian war. at least, Is UNDER
taken for somebody's qualification or aggran-
uizement.