The New York herald., 1876-11-30
A Convenient Place TO Winter on Government
RatiOns and Refit for War in the Spring.
DISARM OR FIGHT THEM.
Necessity OF More Troops on the
Upper Missouri.
[BY TELEGRAPH TO THE HERALD ]
GLssDwx CREEK, Montana, Nov IL,
VIA BISMARCK, ID. r Nov. 20, 1875

west the particulars OF which remarkable operation
have already been transmitted to the HERALD by your
correspondent The evident purpose Of Sitting Bull
in this movement was TO drive back the troops and
transportation the Yellowstone country, and It
resulted In speedy and ignomnious failure. He was
intercepted In the attempt, met council under nag
Of truce and, declining the liberal and just terms
OF tho governments, was fought, routed,
his bands scattered. the main body pursued
forty two miles and flying the Yellowstone.
Rather than suffer further pursuit the head men,
who before the engagement had advocated war, now
became the humble suppllcants for peace and the
head chief Red Shirt, who was prominent in tho Red
Cloud council some years ago. together with four
others Of almost equal Importance surrendered them
selves demand hostages that their tribes would
continue their retreat to their agency and at
peace subject the laws and directions OF the govern
ment.
One object OF officers in demanding this kind Of
surrender, was TO get rid OF this large
body Of Indians quickly possible,
in order that the command might be released and
abled continue the pursuit Of those who had broken
OF Ind gone north. Well pleased with the successful
termination OF this part of their task the Fifth infan
try Immediately turned west and nor!h, obtained ad
ditionai supplies At the cantonment ana moved to-
ward the north, clearing out small party of Incians
who hunting buffalo the head waters Of tho
eastern branch of tho Big Dry River II then
tinued It's northward movement, contendng
AGAINST BLISDISG SNOW STORMS
and temperature ten degrees below zero; moving
frozen streams and bridging cavernous ravincA
INDIANS sHEKIxo PEACE
On its arrival at the Missouri River, opposite Fort
Peck, tho command found that since It's engagement
with Sitting Bull, in addition to the band OF Monnc-
conjons and Sansars in October 27, less than
ll9 lodges OF Sitting Bulls band had into TINS
agency and taken refuge with the Yanktonnais and
other friendly bands, somo coming In Immediately aftcr
the engagement Of October 81 and others few days
In advance Of this command. Among those who have
bccn hostile and prominent chiefs or head mon
Iron Dog OF coeQual influence with Sitting Bull
Iron Bark, Elk, Little Knife, Big Knee, Tae-Crow-in-
Hs.Hand, White Gntes, One-who-K Ills His Enemy,
Gray Hair. Spotted Horn, Bull Hawk, Red Dog and
Black Moons Son.
Fort Peck has long boon known as the base OF sup
plies for ammunition and the centre Of operations OF
tho hostile Sioux, and whe It source OF gratin-
cation the sturdy Fifth Infantry to know that under
skilful direction and rapid mannuvring Of their
commanders their efforts had been fruitful,
and that tho result OF their untlring
energy and fortitude they had In less than
thirty days reduced the number Of hostile sioux In
the neld by several thousand, and In a condition
and position to vigorously press tho winter campaign;
the time there surprise expressed and not
unnatural Indignation felt when tho wcatherbcaen,
weary and frostbtten sodiery recognized several OF
those Samo Indians whom they had at the council
aud fought agaiast in several battles stalking about
this agency
WITH MAGAZINE GUNS
strapped to their backs, apparently enjoying the
safe retreat Of this government ratoning and
resting places. These beyond their
reach and beyond the Jurisdiction OF their
commander; still tho work OF this command
been fully accomplished driving In these hostile
Sioux. II they are not dsarmed and placed beyond
the possibility OF again returning to the warpath
will not be the fault Of the troops in the field.
PREMIUM INDIAN rREAcuERY.
This anomalous state OF affairs naturally brings up
subject of the highest importance point is reached
now which is either the beginning OF the end OF the
Sioux war its mere commencement Within this
vicinity Of Fort Peck least 10000 Indians This
vast horde live savage, scm-hostlle life
OF Incidence and idlsness. Friendly enough
to remain within the easily cludcd supervision and
under the powerless authority OF somo ono govern
ment AGENT they draw rations, hunt trade and allow
their young the occasional diversion Of stepping
out and taxing few scalps The men arc all splen-
ddIy armed and we'll mounted. and roam over dis.
trct OF country larger than the New England States
Within their camps aud under the shadow OF their
good behavior those who are known the shostilcsn
when hotly pressed by troops IN the field. seek and
obtain refugs II this condition OF AFFAIRS continues
through the winter the war will be revived in the
spring. and these Same Indians Who now driven in
Will 70 out again to the scalp hunt with renewed
strength and numbers
NECESSITY DisARMrSG THE REDS.
There Is only way Of preventing these evils ono
necessary and radical This general disarma
mcnt OF all the Indians along the Missouri River and
tins would require much additional strength OF mill
tarv force There troops permanently stationed
in this region yet there should be sufficient force
within easy call tho behests OF the govern
men. This dsarmamentoof the Sioux bands when
once accomplished, would permanently settle the
trouble There Is, however, 70 be considered here tho
important fact that when hosttes cease starvation
commences; Tor 1t is that thousands OF these In
dans kept away from game, driven out OF the
buffalo range, and then supplied by the government
with food quantities insufficient 10 sustain life
unaccustomed labor and unskiIled in arts OF CIV
izcd industry, they are and must for years be
the victims OF our painful process OF civilization
SOLDIERS NExDKD
1t is evident that In this very remote region the
condition OF affairs very little understood by the
people OF the East by the federal authorities
There is evident need OF force Some one
government Official should bc placed in general charge
OF the government interests in this country While
the authorities at Washington are making such des.
perate efforts 10 rccuperatc and resupply CON-
msnds 400 and 500 miles distant from tho real seat OF
war; they would not be doing amiss by giving little
stronger support this active and efficient command
II is now making tremendous marches, amid all the
terrible rigor OF Montana winter uncompaining and
with tho greatest foriitude, with poor transporta-
ton and few broken down cavalry hosscs
which have been buncted about all summer. There is
not a single cavalryman with the command and IL Is
lily supplied with those appliances that common
would demand and which would render It's work less
laborcus ana moro Efficient Unfortunately, in our
service those who have do with tho organizs-
tion Of our military forces and the supplying Of the