The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1877-08-25
Our Washington Letter.
Raid of Mexican Gresasers---
Indian Affairs.-.GfbbOn' VIC
tory over the Neg Perces---
Miscellaneous.

Iaif 60 give dDuHutluG eb3ploS hiChD ~
the State and War Departments i'll
the settlement of international COM
plications, with the pen if they can,
otherwise with the sword. Notwith-
standing the honest efforts of General
Ord to avoid recourse to the latter
method, the lawless character OF q
large portion of the residents on the
South bank of the Rio Grande, who
respect nothing but brute force, points
to its early employment as very prob
able; and intelligence of an armed
conflict between the forces of Diaz
and our own would surprise no one
here familiar with the situation. The
crossing of the boundary stream by a
band of cut threats, their forcible lib
Grafton of two desperate criminals
from the Jail at Rio Grande City, the
shooting of several municipal and
county officials during the raid and
the escape of the reseuers and rescued
across to the Mexican town Camargo,
has dangerously complicated Mexican
matters. Ord promptly referred the
whole business to his Government for
instructions, Major Price in the mean
time having demanded the return of
the party to our side from the Mayor
of Camargo, while Gov. Hubbard de-
manded their extradition, from the
Governor of Tamaulipas.
Sitting Bull monopolized most of
Tuesdays Cabinet session. 1t is now
stated, although contradicted by the
Republican, that no civilian will be
appointed on the commission which
is to visit the dusky warrior and in
vite his return to his reservation, as
no funds are available to pay for such
services; but that two diplomatic
military officers who can best be spared
from their present duties will be des-
ignated to act in conjunction with a
representative of the Canadian Gov
ernment. 1t is sincerely hoped that
Sitting Bull will turn deaf ear to
the seductive overtures made and in
sist upon his right to remain a British
subject on Canadian soil, in which
case it is claimed we can hold that
Government legally responsible for
any predatory movement this side OF
the line undertaken by General S. Bull.
| General Sheridan's estimate of Glib
bon's late fight with Idaho hostiles as
received by the Department, differs
very materially from the first unau-
thorized reports. He appears to think
it was decisive victory for our troops
that will soon result in the submission
of the Nez Perces. Our loss of thirty
five or forty per cent. of the force en-
gagged is admitted, but the ratio OF
casualties to the Indians is believed
to have been much larger than our
own, as the attack was complete
surprise many of them being placed
hors de combat before they were fairly
awakened from their nights sleep by
the clash of arms and the shouts OF
soldiers. He also states there was nc
loss of stores, the trains having es-
capped with every wagon. When bet
ter acquainted with the circumstances
the charges of raslness so freely urged
against Gibbon may yield to Il feeling
of commentator for his prompt ae-
ton and good generalship, by which
the government was saved from q
humiliating disaster. 1t should also
be remembered that the Indians al
ways move in light marching order
depending upon chance for subsist
ence, while our forces in pursuit are
encountered with supply trains which
it is absolutely necessary to move
with the troops.
Mr.. Galpin, Chief Clerk of the III
dian Bureau, complains, justly too, i
is held by the public, that the commits
sion to investigate the Indian service
has now been holding secret session!
for nearly three months without Civ.
ing any of the accused employees ar
opportunity to be heard in their owr
defense. Mr.. Schurz now assures then
they shall be allowed every facility
IN that direction after the report o
the Commission. Still this Star
Chamber method resorted to by higl
officials is repugnant to the American