The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1876-03-09
GEN. CROOKS EXPEDITION.
tory Tribes in Northern Wyoming to be
Driven Back Into their Reservations.

Operations Against Hostile SiOux-Refrac-
tory Tribes in Northern Wyoming to be
Driven Back Into their Reservations.
A correspondent writes from Chey-
enne, Wyoming Territory Operations
against the hostile tribes of Sioux, in the
northern part of Wyoming, have at
length taken shape, and troops are now
marching toward Fort Febterman, ITO
miles north of Cheyenne, which is to be
base of supply. From this point the
column will enter a territory which has
not been traversed by troops since the
return OF those from the posts of Reno,
Kearney, and G. f. Smith, after the
massacre in 1866; at which time this
whole region north of the North Platte,
extending to the Yellowstone and Mis-
souri, Rivers, was abandoned to the In
dams. 1t has since been held by them
as unceded lands, to which they could
safely retreat after marauding expedi-
tons, without fear of being overtaken
by the army. Reservations were set
apart for all the Indians occupying this
vast extent of country, at points on the
Missouri River and the North Platte, but
large number have persistently refused
to go to the agencies assigned to them,
except for occasional visits, and have re-
manned In state of semi-warfare with
the whole Northwestern frontier 1t is
to punish these Indians and force them
to the reservations to which they belong
that the present military operations are
undertaken.
Notice was given to these tribes In
December last, from the Department of
the Interior, that they must go to their
proper reservations; and furthermore,
that all who did not comply by the last
day of January would be considered as
enemies, and a military force would be
sent to punish them. To this demand
they have paid no attention; on the con-
trary they seem to have made prepare
tions for extensive plundering tours in
every direction, threatening the frontier
settlements of Nebraska and Wyoming,
as well as the eastern portions of Mon
tana.
The Indians at Red Cloud and Spotted
Tail Agencies have thus far refrained
from openly joining their more hostile
friends as a mass nevertheless, many of
the young men at both these places have
gone north with this purpose, and it is
not improbable that the force now going
out under Gen. Crook will encounter the
very best fighting material in the Sioux
nation. The Indians have shown I'M
usual eagerness to procure arms and
ammunition lately, and it has not been a
difficult matter to accomplish this. The
division of the responsibility of the
Government and management of the In
dams has resulted in the curious fact
L - 10.
with material with which to carry on
vigorous contest with another. Their
arms are in many cases of the latest
patterns, and nearly all are breech-
leaders.
The time has come, however, when the
Government is obliged to act decisively.
The tide of emigration, which is pouring
into the gold fields of the Black Hills,
and which will soon turn westw into
those of the Big Horn country, renders
it necessary that the vexed Indian ques-
ton shall be disposed of without delay.
It is not economy to feed and fight these
people. Once for all, then, the Govern
ment decides that feeding is its policy,
even if it is necessary to do little fight
ing first but feeding 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 over the region which is to be
traversed by the present expedition.
Probably there are from $4,000 to 5000
men, women, and children, and of this
number not more than 5000 warriors
could probably be mustered. A force OF
this size could not long maintain an or
ganization, but would be compelled to
scatter for subsistence. Whether they
will make an organized resistance, or
adopt the policy of attacking trains and
picking up detachments only, it is hard
10 tell. Pack mules will be the main re-
lance from Fort Fetterman, and they
will be kept close to the cavalry. In
deed, whatever course the Indians
adopt, they will find that they have to
deal with very willy antagonist, who
understands their character about as well
as they do themselves, and whom they
will find it very difficult to confuse or
brighten.