The New York herald., 1876-08-18

troops already known tho supply train per-
mitted to proceed. well informed army oflcer esta-
mates that from Standing Rock Agency alone nearly
100, 900 rounds Of ammuAtion had been sold
to the Indians and at the Bruls Agency 1t
estimated that 50 900 rounds had been sold. AS
those agencies maintained BY the government
the people Of she United States right TO
know how 1t IL they turned into arssnals The
Importance Of the accompanying letters from Generh
Gbbon bo judged by the light Of these facts and
Congress wishes investigate this question thoroughly
numbers Of citizens and army officers testify 70
other facts equally startling
HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT oy NoSrAHA,(
CAMP MOUTH OF ROSEBUD, August s. 1876.
reached mo thai some 1875 900 rounds OF mall arms
ammunition and several cases OF breeoh loading small
River By the last trip Of the Benton
In THE the present state Of Indian affairs affairs
to impress your mind the fact that should any por
tion OF these arms and ammunition fnd its way into
the hands ofthe Indiana you will be held responsible
for the consequence by an outraged community and
call upon you as citizen OF Montana and Of the United
material inds its way TO them.
am sir very respectfully your oeodens ,nn" servant
Colonel Seventh infantry, commanding dlslric.
To Mr.. T. G. rowER-
Fonr BENTON,
HEADQuARrERs DIsrRIc1 MONTANA, !
CAMP MoUrH OF RosEBUD August s, lS7d
Governor b. Y. Porrs Hclana NJ 7.
Su-lnfarmation from reliable source has reached
that the recent trip OF the steamer Benton there
shipped TO Mr.. T. C. Power Fort Benton, some
1884, rounds OF small arms ammunition and several
cases OF broech- -loadng small arms In the present
state OF Indian affairs this locality II Is matter Of
the nrst importance that tho hosties should not re-
ceivs supplies OF arms and ammunition, and l
write suggest 70 you that some steps be taken by
thc civil power 70 guard against this war material
The process by which oontrabands OF traded
peaceful Indians, and then made to those
gagged in hoslties with the government is we'll un-
United States be protected against such ourages
With the confident hope that some steps Of the kind
will be at taken by you Governor OF the Terri
tory, remain very respectfully ySSr oSeqcn! SER
Colonel soventh.infantry, commanding district.
soME STARTLING
Time permitting, hasten to get down few more
facts for the consideration OF tho public They
hastily collected scraps of Information from reliable
sources 1t Is not generally known that about year
the bought and presented 70 the Sioux
some $50 horses which each SIPS. and II any
doubts he has only refer the files of the Omaha
papers and read the advertisements from the Interior
Department Sitting Bull though notoriousy hostile,
has boon for years allowed 70 provide himself with am
mun.ion at the Fort Peck Agency, in which Casscl-
berry Bonnann and Orv1llo Grant arc or were chief
partners.
The steamboat Durfee whom ordered bring troops
up the Yellowstone. had board immense quantities
OF arms ana ammunition consigned TO Acssrs Powers
Co., Fort Benton 1t useless TO say those NUM-
tions of not intended for the Sioux because
Powers has been for yearstrading with this trbe and
II is said that any known be friend agent Of
this pass safely through Sitting Bulbs camp
Captain Hughes, Of Terrys ssa found those munitions
board At Bismarck. He telegraphed TO the War
Department for permission to seize them but seems
tho military authorities frd legal means Of pre-
venting traders supplying Imiians with material
even ina hOstilities
the United States Two years:ago energetic officer,
who sent to Stockton from the Plattc met train
going the hostile Indians wh 200 Winchester rifles
and SO, 900 rounds of ammunition, and stopped tho
and telegraphed to Washington for Instructions.
He surprised receiving orders to let tho train
on way Army officers sretired protesting against
the outrage of armiug the savage with the most ap
proved arms whom It Is notorious that they used
chiefly, IT not wholly murder unoHendng citizens
or TO shoot down the soldiers of the United Statos
nfw remains the of tho country
to measure its strength with tho Indian Ring under
whose protection present corrupt system has
sumed such immense proportions
ENEMY WITHIN REACH OF CROOK FOR WEEKS
uNDIsrURBED-MANY LODGES LosT-THErR
PONIES wEAK-GHAND MOVEMENT BACK TO
THE VALLEY OF THE ROSEBUD.
CAMP op GENERAL CROOK g. CoxxAxD oxl
GOOSE CREEK, August 4, 1876
Afer month and q half OF dleness since the en-
cagcment June II thero is again prospect OF
other movement toward the enemy. But meanwhile
the reports of the scouts indicate that they
much OF their boldness and seeking to avoid
another general battle This may be merely empty
surmlse bu, the evidence upon which is founded has
all aspect OF truth The nertness which the forces
in the held have been obliged to has becn per-
haps unavoidable amid tho untoward. circumstances
which have hampered the commanders Of both OF
tho main columns Of troops but the most recent
knowledge which we possess OF tho movements
of the Sioux the folly of having entered
the field against them mpcrfectly qualified for decisive
and rapid operations.
PROSPERITY THE NORTHERN SIOUX.
Tho condition of the Northern Sioux. If 1t
for their constant fear the white soldiers whose
coming they long expected, would be peculiarly
happy. II they may be said to have any social and
political system, It Is purely communtstc They are
more wealthy than Bedouns in ponies, and nature sup
plies them constant susenance. 10 not to DO
wondered that glimpses OF nis savage Utopia the
young and restless braves, whose degenerate parents
live by the doo the agencies find keen
temptation abandon life Of idle and ignomnious
dependence and adopt Of hunter bandit and horse
thief
Tho Northern Sioux have for years increased in num-
bers They are the position Of the feeble rem
nants of a declining race; but they feel strong and
vigorous Thor hunting ground is remarkably adapted
for defensive operations They know It's topography
thoroughly tho child the features OF its nurse
There are valleys In which pressed they
place their lodges md which they defend stub
bornly as the Greeks defended rhermopyle. Their
warriors number about eooo and q desperate sx-
trsmy their squaws who at least twice A. many,
have been known fight for their husbands and homes
iko Amazons
our ACTUAL THE FIELD
Il 10 against such q foe that General Sheridan sent
less than 900 United States soldiers In
columns II 10 somewhat remarkable that IN recent
rnsds subseaucnt to Custer ho