New-York tribune., 1876-07-10
HISTORY OF THE SIOUX NATION.
rrTER TO THE PRESIDENT PECM IHE sLCRETagY
or WAR.

or WAR.
WAsIryGToy. Jlly 9.-Thc Secretary Of War
to-day addressed inc following letter TO Tie President;
WAR DEPARTMENT.
WASHINGTON, ID. g., july =, 1878
To the President: TO enable you 20 answer Tie IN
closed resolution the Eeu''" of July = nave the
honor 10 submit the following brief statement Of fact
exhibited by tire records OF this Department The sioux
or Dakota nation OF Indians embracing various tribes
Yauktous Yanktonais Brules Ogsaiias, HenuecODious
sansArcs Two Kettles, 6c) have long been known ~
the most brave and waElIke syaees of ths continent
They have or centuries been pushed wcsiwafd by the
advancing OF civilization, III in 1868 an arrange
ment or treaty was made with them by special commis
sion named by Congress Whereby for ccr payment or
stpuaons they agreed to surrender THEN claims 70 all
chat vast region which lGys west Of tho Missouri
River and north OF Platte, 70 live at peace with
their nc!gLbors, to restrict themselves 10 territory
bounded east by tho Missouri River south by Nebraska
west by he 10th meridian, and north by the i5tl
parallel OF latitude, territory as large as the State OF
Michigan The terms Of this treaty have been iberay
performed on the par, Of the United States aud ha. also
been complied with by the great Of the Sioux Ina
ans Some these Indians, ho1evcr have never Tecog
uizcd the binding force OF TINS treaty, but have always
treated II with contempt have continued to rove az
pleasure, attacking scattered settlements in hebiasKa'
wyoming Montana. and Dakota. stealing horses and
cattle and numbering peaceful inhabitants and Travellers
Oh the Ssh OF November, 1875, United states Indian
Inspector T. G. Watkins made elaborate report 10 the
Commissioner OF Indian Afair5 In which nc uses this
language:
have the honor to address you In relation TO TIE
attitude and condition OF certain VIVA dul hoS,'Ic
bands Of Sioux udlalsn Dakota ami MuniaHa that came
under my observation during NY recent tour through
their country ana Wndt think hhCui De NE poHtE ol
sLo Government toward thCm. refer t. sutbs BCAs
band and other bands or the sioux nation under cGci or
aead OF legs note, but no csS untdnaDle ana hostile
These Indians occupy the center 20 10 speak Gnd roam
over Western Dakota and Eastern Montana. including
The rich valleys OF inc Yellowstone ana Powder fycis
and make the Mandan3. Gio5 Ncnrcs archar,s,
friendly tibes From thor central
position they strike TO the east nOrt9, and west stc
well frontier settlers aud uckess white hunters or
smgrants who not u sufficient force to resist them.
After describing at great length their character and
| supposed number, given at few hundred he sayS:
| The true policy in my judgment II TO send troops
against them ih Ntntr the sooner the better and WHIP
THEN incessalt warfare and numerous murders of
white settlers ana their families white
| found unaIlBed
The force estimated necessary so whip them was
| | 600 men, This communication was submitted by tho
| Commissioner OF Indian Affairs, the Hon Edward f.
Smith, 10 the honorable secretary Of the Interior, b.
Chandler, who In turn submitted II 70 the Secretary Of
War; Cen Bcknap for his consideration and action. In
a subsequent communication OF the Secretary % the
Interior g. 1875, 10 the Secretary Of War,
this language:
lave the honor to inform you that have this day
directed the Commissioner OF indian Affairs Ia notify
said Indians Sitting Ball and others outside ier
yaons that they must remove 70 the ryatiOn before
Jan. 81, 1870; lhal II tney neglected so 10
move, that they viii he reported the War Department
as hostile Indians, and that military force viii be sent
10 Ipel them 0 obey the order II the Indian officer
on first day Of February the secretary Of the Interior
further notified the Secretary Of War The given
him Sitting Bulb in which to return agency wing
expircd and adyiccs received at the InIiau Oics being
10 The effect that sitting Bull sin refuses comply with
the directions OF the Cunnss Jne The said Indians
hereby turned the War Department ac-
ton the part Of the army as you deem pr,
| under the circumstances.
During all tho stages OF this correspondence, the
General OF The Army and his subordinate commanders
| were duly notified and making preparations for
striking blow these hostile sayages enterprise
Of almost unsurInounable difficulty Ia country where
Winter the thermometer often issto forty degrees be-
low zero, and when impossible TO food
man or beast. An expedition fitted out under
personal command Of Brig Gen. George Crook. officer
Of great merit and experience, which, IN March last,
marched from Forts Fetterman and Laramie to Powder
River and Yellowstone Valleys and struck and destroyed
the village Of Crazy Horse Of the hostile bands
ferred by Indian Inspector watkins but the weather
found bitter cold. and other difficulties great