New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1876-03-03
NEW ORLEANS REPUBLICAN, FRIDAY. MARCH g. 1876

of the Big Horn country, renders 1t neeee,
aarv that the vexed Indian question snaA!
be disposed of without delay. 1t 10 mos
economy to feed and tight these people.
Once for all, then, the government decides
that feeding lie its policy, even it it ie neces-
sary to do little lighting first; but feeolng
it must be, and feeding only.
It would be extremely difficult to give an
accurate estimate of the number of indians
now off their reservations and roaming ever
the region which 10 to be traversed BY the
present expedition. Probably there are
from $4,000 to Is. 900 men, women and child.
rem, and of this number not more than JOOv
warriors could probably be mustered.
force of this size could not long maintain an
organization, but would be compelled 20 20
scatter for subsistence. Whether they Will
make an organized resistance, or adopt tho
policy of attacking trains and picking up
attachments only, it is hard to tell. fsck
mules will be the main reliance from Fort
Fettermap, and they will be kept close to
the cavalry. Indeed, whatever course the
Indians adopt, they will find that they
have to deal with Q very willy antago-
mist, who understands their character about
as we'll az they do themselves, and whom
they will find it very difficult to confuse or
frighten. Not only does it appear that the
hostile Indians must 60 to their agencies
and remain, but the government has also
decided that it lie more economical to feed
these Indians on the Missouri. They are
more accessible at Fort Sully, st. Pierre,
and Rice, and the cost Of transportation is
much less to those points than to the agen-
cies now occupied by Red Cloud and
Spotted Tail. Hence. as soon as the North
ern Indians are driven in, it is understood
souri,. General CrOOk's plan is to do the
fighting in detail, and not to give the In
dams now on reservations an opportunity
of Joining those who are not. and thus COM
bining their forces.
The troops at present detailed for these
operations consist of five companies of the
Second, and five companies OF the Third
United states Cavalry, under command Of
General Joseph J. Reynolds, colonel Of the
latter regiment. These troops have seen
Q great deal of service on this frontier, and
are all accustomed to its hardships and
dangers. Part of them were with Colonel
Dodge last summer in the Black Hills, and
others were engaged in scouting and escort-
ing trains. The companies will not average
more than fifty men each, making an
effective force of less than 500 men. To
this force will probably be added three or
four companies of infantry, drawn from the
garrisons of Forts Laramie and Fetterman,
to be used mainly in protecting the trains.
General Reynolds is an officer Of experience
and judgment. Before coming to this de-
partment he was in command of the De-
partment of Texas. General Crook, &C.
companied by Lieutenant Bourke, aid-de-
camp, goes with the expedition, and will
dirt ct it's movements.
A special of the same date from Fort
Leavenworth says:
Fort Peaee. on the Yellowstone, has been
oh nd u n
the latest advices received from that point,
Colonel Brisbin had arrived there with q
small company of troops. and barely saved
the garrison, which was in imminent dan-
ger of being massacred by the Sioux, who
were gradually closing in on the fort. The
Indians seemed to be greatly enrsged on
account Of the escape of their prey. 1t is
expected that Colonel Brisbin and his
troops will have to fight their way back
to Fort Elliott. 1t is evident that the In.
dams are we'll armed and capable Of doing
q great deal of damage.