The New York herald., 1876-07-16
HOW INDIANS ARE ARMED.

LETTER FROM AN Ex-sURGEoN OF THE SEVENTH
CAVALRY.
READING, Pa. July IL, 1876
To EDITOR THE HERALD
In the HERALD of to-day noticed editorial meu-
tionng subject Of which had intended writing you
before. have reference to the 'sourco whence tho
Sioux obtained their arms and ammunition" 4" Tho
wholesale slaughter Of a few weeks ago might have
been prevented had the Indians been under the con-
troll Of the War Department The officers stationed
along tho Upper Missouri knew Of the Illegal trading
carried ON at Fort PcsH but we're powcrlcss and had
no authority TO interfere. Since 1872 parties
had stationed themselves at the above ramcd fort for
the purpose Of obtaining the monopoly in bartering
with the Sioux and the only nducement TO bring their
customers forward was the offer OF arms-wincbestcr
rifles. The Indians, being only too ANXIOUS to secure
these, exchanged alt the buffalo robes and
pelis collected during their hunting excursions,
took them Peek and received their arms thoush
paying dearly for them. The price usually paid for
rife 500 robos equivalent of S. 400 thus the
nrm sent down the IL, 900 buffalo robes beside
other SKINS and pels, the result OF season g
trafhc Now these very Indians were registered at
Grand River Agency, at Standing Rock. where they
should have taken their goods, but being limited
certain varieties Of trinkets, &c, they preferred
going north Colonel J. C. o'Connor, who was
agent during 1872 and 1873. ordered pro-
hibn the sale OF upon his reservation Inn
ting the trader however to the salo OF two pounds Of
lead and powder each per week TO such Indians only
who lad shown themselves friendly. This IN
tended to lessen the number OF marauditg expeditions.
which II did for short time bus finally some Of the
more daring OF tho semihosiilc and hostile Sioux
TO the agents quarters told 'thcrc no use
IN Uncle Sam keeping up that agency; that II tho
troops other parties removed they could live
upon the game which our presence kept away from tho
river and that they could get all the arms and
milton they wanted as they dld rot care for our
damned handful OF the Great Fathers powder and
lead"
Al the closing Of this harangue Gall who made tho
address and who is one OF sitting Bulls chief cut
,hroasj advanced threw back his blanket and showed
Two scars sayipg this makes me angry at the white
men His body had been pierced by Two bayonets IN
the ngh with General Suy, passing clean through the
shoulder blades. show ing his physical endurance. he
crawed INFO hts camp the night he was wounded.
q distance of about four miles. These troubles were
expected i've years ago, and We bad only to
wait until ali the warriors we're amply supplied.
That time has come. We all know Grand River was
TO supply IL 500 redskins 900 Of which avacd them.
selves Of the annuitcs and weekly rations the remain
ing $500 kept away and considered hostile II
supposed that this number, in all, could muster
from T. 900 to 900 men and grown boys The result
Of tho Illegal agency on the Upper Missouri tnat
instead OF having ali the Indians under the Immediate
control At Grand River, they went north with their
goods trading Oh at the lower bat 100 robes
~ 600 Fort Peck Had the military control
OF this matter the latter would have been ''clcaned
out" and these vlanous torturcrs brought TO thor
proper place; neither would they have been supplied
With arms Sufficient TO carry such bold war.
In closing, would say that was over the very
gon-now the scene OF he'll on earthlin 1879 under
General Stanley surgeon with the Seventh cavalry
and aferward with the Twenty second and
infantry. Having known nearly all the officers who
fell aud those who arc still holding doubtful tickets
have TO feel bitter - myself near stay
ing IN that country.
Hoping you Will pardon this disconnected and has,v
sp'ss, am, very respectfully, your obedent servant
W. J. HOFFMAN,
Late Surgeon tand NsturaIisp United States Army.
and Prussan Army during 1sI0-L