Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1876-07-14
THE SIOUX WAR.
Origin aud History of the Troubles
in Montana and Wyoming.

y
in Montana and wyoming.
For many years number of hos
lille Sioux have been roaming
the northern portion Of
Dakota under the leadership of
Sitting Bull, Crazy Horse, and a
few other chiefs. Two years ago
their number was estimated at
1000, but subsequently about 1000
of these Indians went into the
agencies at Standing Rock, Spotted
Tail and Cheyenne river, reducing
the number who might properly be
called hostile to about 5000. The
War Department estimates Sitting
Bulls band at about $500 Indians
The number of warriors in these
bands could not originally have ex-
ceeded between 400 and 500. All
attempts to induce these Indians
to 90 upon reservations have thus
far failed, and last fall General
Crook visited Washington for the
purpose of consulting the admins
tration in regrId to its treatment of
them. With the Secretary of War
and General Cowan, Acting Secre-
tary of the Interior, General'C Crook
visited the President and proposed
that an expedition be sent against
these Indians during the winter,
when they would be less prepared
than at any other time to resist it.
His recommendation was fayorably
considered, and
A MESSAGE WAS SENT TO SITTING
BULL
and the chiefs who were operating
with him, ordering them to report
at the reservation before the 1st OF
January, 1876, the alternative being
that if they did not the United
States would make war against
them. This step was considered
necessary not only on account of
the numerous murders Of white
people committed by these Indians
but because they were making con-
slant attacks on the Bannock and
other friendly Indians whose reser-
vations were in their vicinity, and
were melting other Sioux to hos
tility. The uneasiness of the Red
Cloud and Spotted Tail Indians on
account of the invasion Of the
Black Hills, and the scarcity Of
supplies furnished them, also made
it very dangerous to allow these hos
tile bands to remain any longer be.
yond the control of the United
States authorities. They might al
any time be led to join in a gen
eral war which it would require the
available military Of the United
States to quell, and IN which there
might be
A GREAT SACRIFICE OF LIFE AMI
PROPERTY.
The hostile Sioux paid no atten.
ton whatever to the orders direct
ing them to report at the reserva
ton, and preparations were made
in the meantime to send an expedi
ton against them. The first EN-
gagement occurred in January, bu
resulted in no advantage on eithe
side.
On the 23d of last month Gene
raj Sheridan forwarded to the Wa
Department General Crooks tele
graphic report of another engage
ment, the report being dated Jun
10th. The particulars Of this fgh
have already. been published, ant
its result was to give great encour
agement to the hostile Indians an,
to incite them to greater despera
tion.
Some doubt was at first expressed
in regard to the truth Of the repor
about General Clusters defeat, asi
was supposed to be impossible 70
/ AO00 Indians To have been at th
J point where the battle is said t
have taken place, unless they wer
reinforced by large bands from tn
Red Cloud and Spotted Tail agen
oies. The latest report from thes
agencies represent that the Indian
there are still friendly, and mos
positively deny that any number
them have recently left the reserV
alton. Earlier in the spring u fe