New-York tribune., 1876-02-28
GEN. CROOh'S EXPEDITION.

| REFRACTORY TRIBtS IN NORTHERN YOHING
TO DE- DRIVEN BACK INIO THEIR RESERVATIONS
FEEDING AND FIGHTING INDIANS AT rnE
SAME TIMr-rnE TROOPS.
FEOM AN OCCASIONAL CORRESPONDENT or THE TRIBUNE
CHEYENNE, w. T., Feb. 2i.-Operations against
the hostile tribes of Sioux, i'll the northern part Of
Wyoming. have at length taken shape and tloops
are marching toward Fort Feternan. 70 miles
north of Cheyenne, which is to be base of supply.
From this point the column will enter a territory
which has not been travcrsed by troops since the
return of those from the posts of Reno Koaraev, and
e.. f. Smith, after the massacre in 1866; at when
time this whole region north Of the North Platte
extending TO the Yellowstone and Missouri Rivers
was abandoned to the Indians. 1t has since been
held by them as unceded lands. 10 winch
they could safely retreat after maraudlng
expeditions, without fear of being overtaken by the
army. Reservations were set apart for all the In
dians occupying this vast extent of country, at
points on the Missouri River and the North Platte,
but a largo number have persistently refused 10 go
to the agencies assigned to them. except Tor ooca
sioual visits and have remained in state OF SENT
warfare with the whole Northwestern frontier. II
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 their proper reservations; and further
more, that all who did not comply by the
last day Of Ja3uary would be considered as enc
mics and military force would he sent to punish
them. To this demand they have paid nO attention;
on the contrary they seem 10 have made piepara-
tions for extensive plundcFng tOurs ia every diTcc
ton threatening the frontier settlements OF Nebraska
and Wyoming az well as the eastern portions of
Montana.
The Indians NJ Red Cloud and Spotted Tail Agen-
ccs have thus far rrfraincd from openly joining
their more hostile friends as mass nevertheless,
many OF the young men at both these places have
gone north with this purpose and il il not inprjba
blr that thc force now going out under Gen. Crook
will encounter the very best lighting mate
rial in tho Sioux nation. The Indians have
shown unusual eagerness 10 procure arms ami
ammunition lately. and it has mol been diihcnlt
matter 10 accomplish this The division Of the re-
sponsibili,y of the gor rnment and management oi
the Indians has resulted in the curious fact that one
department has supplied them with material with
which TO carry on q vigorous contest with another
Their arms in many ot the latest patterns
and nearly all arc breech-loalers.
The time has come. however, when the Govern
mcnt is obliged to act deci,ycly. The tide of cmi-
grafton. winch is pouring iuo tie gold fields Of the
Black Hills. and when will soon turn westward into
those of the Biz Horn country readers il necessary
that the vexed Indian question shall bs disposed Of
without delay. II IL not economy 10 feed aud fight
these people Once for all, then, the Government
decides that feeding is its policy. even if it is necos-
sary 10 do little fighting first hut feeding II must
be- and feeding ouly.
Ii would be extremely difficult to give an accurate
estimate of ia, number Of Indians OH their
reservations and roaming over The REGION which il
10 be tTaycrscd 10y the present expedition. Proba-
bis there are from 1900 10 5000. men, women,
and children aud of this number not more than
5000 warriors could probably be mustered. force
of this size could not long maintain Organization.
but would be compelled TO scatter FOR subsistence.
whether they will make an organized resist
arce or adopt the policy Of attacking trains ard
picking np attachments only, II is hard TO tell.
Pack mules will be the man reliance from Fort
Fe;terman aud they will he kept close 10 the cavalry
I,deed whatever course the Indians adopt they viii
find that they have to deal with very willy untIgo-
MIST who understands their character abou. ~ well
"a they do themselves, and whom they will find 1t
ve.y difficult to confuse or fTighten. Not only does
il appear that the hostile Indians must go 10 their
agencies and remain, but the Government has also
decided that IL IL moro economical 10 feed these
Indians ON the Missouri They arr accessible
at Forts Sully 1t. Pierre and Rice aud the cost oi
transportation is much les to those points than to
the agencies now occupied 10y Red Cloud and
Spotted Tail. Hence, ~ soon as th. Northern
Indians are driven in, il IL understood that these
latter must also SO - the Missouri. Gen. Crook
plan - to do the fohtng in detail and not TO give
tine Indians now on reservations an Opportunity ot
Joining those who not and thus combining their
forces.
The troops present detailed for these operations
consist of five companies of the 2d and five com
panics of the 81 T.. = Cavalry, under command oil
Gen Joseph J. Reynolds colonel of the latter ree-
ment These troops have seen a great dealof service
on this frontier aud are well accustomed to lis
harlships and dangers Part 0f them were with Col.
Dodge last Summer III the Black Hills, and others
were engaged in scouting and cscorting trains
The companies will not average more thah
30 mgn TO each making an effective force OF less
than 800 men, TO this force will probably be added
three or four companies of infantry, drawn from the
Qarr,ons OF Forts Laramie and Fctt"nnau. 10 De
used mainly in protecting the trains. Gen. Reynolds
is an officer Of experience and judgment Before
coming to this department he was in command "l
Tho department OF Texas Gen. Crook, accompanied
by Lient. Bourkc Aid-dc-Camp, goes in person WIN
tle expedition and will direct its movements.