The New York herald., 1876-08-02
CANADIAN VIEW OF THE sITUATroN-ADDI.
TIONAL MISFORTUNES FEARED-sITT1NC
BULLS PREPARATIONS TO WINTER IN

BULL PREPARATIONS TO WINTER IN
CANADA CALL FOR TROOPS TO PROTECT
THE BRITISH FRONTIER.
The views expressed In the HERALD that tho hostile
Sioux when pressed to tho wall by our 70 will take
refuge in tie British possessions and that Sitting Bull
entertained this idea and prepared for il before nat
ing hostlites finds confirmation in the following
munication to the editor OF the Montreal Herald from
gentleman Manitoba The description OF the situa-
ton contained in the letter and the dangerous position
OF our little army regarded from an independent
standpoint will be found of interest.
To THE EDroR MONTREAL HERALp:-
have been looking around and seeking information
of persons who less familiar with the Sioux
and the section Of the country in which the United
States troops are contcnding with the Indans From
the facts gathered aud my own past experience OF
comparison between newspaper accounts OF United
States military successes or losses and what saw OF
these losses, ain thoroughly convinced
that tho accounts as yet given to the public fall very
far short OF the truth in loss of men and war material
both under Custer and Crooks 1t rs pretty we under
stood here that after Crook had his fight with the Sioux
he was thrown entirely ON the defensive, with largo
loss in and material. Then the ffght with Custer
of, resulting in the utter rout Of his column,
leaving the Indians free to turn almost their sole
ton to Crook, who cncumbcrcd with sick, wounded
and broken down animals was certainly in tight
DANGER OF CROOKS POSITION
Men with large military experience, and familiar
with the Indians and country, regard Crooks position
having been at best extremely critical so that any
been almost to cause his destruction. fear
have yet hear OF much disaster and IL is quite pos
affairs before ecc ting junction Sitting Ball has for
years been trying TO elect general Indian league Ito
has succeeded far us TO get many young Cheycnncs
Apachcs Arapahocs and some Chippewas. IL is said
there also Backfect and Crees in the league
Al any rate, with the iorce at the command Of Sitting
Bull their knowledge OF the country and their easy
mode of subsistence the United states troops have
hard task before them till winter sets in then the In
dians are disadvantage, and then look for largo
cund~ f,Vt
Sitting Bulls runners have. believe already been
here to try and arrange with the Indian tribes in the
British possessions for
FRIENDLY RECEPTION
in Of need. So lar can learn, tho tobacco was
smoked but no promise OF All against the Uned
States given But II Is said the receipt OF the mes
sage was acknowledged, and the matter off rendy
ccptiou to be subject OF further consideration.
In Minnesota and Dakota there considerable num-
bers OF Indians reservations They appear to me TO
wander from the reservations as they choosc, 10 be
proud and defiant in their manner and generally look
sullcn with hearty hate for all hcy think are Yankees.
Several times have had them say to me- ''You Queen
MANI" When reply yes. their manner would change
and become far more pleasant
TROOPS.
l have wandered about little on tho front tier IN
MINI esota and Dakota we'll in this province, and
am more than ever convinced Of tho necessity OF
sending Colonel Osborne Smith infantry cavalry
and artillery nucleus with leave TO raise addl
t,onal force here There ought also to be sufficient
arms and military stores sent in time to get cheap
transportation Put II off TIL late in the fall or winter,
and will enormously incrcose the cost OF doing it,
besides inVolving great suffering for the men, Some
arrangement for feeding refugee Indians should
also be planned. Attending TO all this in
wise manner would not involve fearful
cost OF money but delaying It, am afraid viii, in ccr
tain probable contingencies. Troops fancy would
come by way of Duluth, over the North Pacific Rail-
road, thence TO Fishers Landing, and down TO Fort
Garry by The Red River steamers In view OF tho
security British troops would give TO the white popu-
Iaton on both sides of the boundary line. fancy tho
United States authorities would gladly allow Canadian
forces their territory by way OF Duluth and
The North Pacific Railway. and thence down Red River
Stp nn1t ff,n that. ranfsn k,auv
that troops coming here and coming time, for
feel they may he needed. The mounted police too
Low IN mum