The People's vindicator., 1876-08-05
The Indian War.

The death aud defeat Of Custer at
the lands Of Sitting Bull have pro-
ilaccd an important change in the In
dian policy Of the Government, which
up to the present time has consisted
Of a long series of broken promises
and violated treaties. With the past,
however, we have nothing at this
iuncture to do. What we have to do
with Just now is the present, end the
future, which the presents foresl,ad-
OWs.
The Commissioner of Indian Affairs
telegraphed on Saturday the Indian
agents at Red Clond and Spotted Tail
to transfer their charges to the mil
itary officers at Camp Robinson and
Sheridan respectively. Such an or.
der few years ago would, If made
general, have resulted in very diff
ferent state Of affairs from what ex.
lists at this time. The Indians have
always entertained a profound respect
for the word of an officer Of the army,
aud the promises made by the
military to them have ever been re-.
ceived az reliable. A knowledge of
this fact has caused more than one at
tempt to he made to have tho man.
apement Of Indian affairs placed an.
der the control Of the Secretary Of
! War, but the attemps have been made
iu vain, until now when; aggravated
past all endurance, Sitting Bull viii!
what warriors he can gather around
bis standard has resolved to tight to
the bitter end. If he has half the as.
tuteness with which he is credited, he
must be we'll aware Of what the final
result will be, and, knowing this, ht
can have but one object in view, and
that is to destroy as many Of bis enc
mics as possible before lie yields t
the inevitable aud dies with bis fac
to the foe.
That the struggle will be long AMI
bitter, there can be no doubt. Th'
once predominant idea; that reg
|iment of cavalry could ride rough
shod over the country of the Slou
has at last been reluctantly abandou
ed. NJ one apparently appreciate
the actual state Of affairs more thor
0ushly than Gen. Crook, as he want
ali the men he caD get before maxim
an aggressive movement, and whe
lie assumes the offensive he may coli
I fidently expect some very har
knocks. Meanwhile it may reason
ably Ike supposed that Sitting Bull
not idle, and bis present apparent il
4 activity will justify the saspicio
!. that h6 will be ready to strike wle
the time comes. Indians seldom a
j. tack q well protected camp, wbic
- fact may explain Crooks immuni'
from attack. Much stress las bee
laid GU the damage which would 9!
sue to Crook by the burning Of Il
grass, bat 1t must be remembers
that ,he Indians depend on the gra
for feeding their ponies, aud when Il
praine is once fred there is no t.
iiug kow much country ,nay he bur
ed over. At this game tue India
would be the greatest sufferers. II
chief difficulty experienced BY the 1
diaus will be 10 providing food for
large number Of men any length
time. The b6ffalo has besn render
scarce and tiuid BY reckless slangl
ct. aud the Yellow Stone region
about all that Sitting Bull has to 4
Q. pend on for supplies. How lis
going to amply bic warriors vi
food remains to b seen. At ptese
Do they probably have food obtain
iron tie agencies; but this must
soon disp6Ssd u. though it % lndi
u caii get i kaa,d meal-a regular gor
! every other day be will maus
pretty VEL. At sny rite we y
llook lor some ssveso 6ghtp& .