Bozeman avant courier. [volume] (Bozeman, Mont.) 1872-1882, 1877-06-28
Indian Troops.


following proposition to the Secretary of
the Interior:
1T is admitted that the cause of these
mutual slaughters between the races is the
enforced conditions on which the primi
tive proprietors are required to surrender
their lands; and in every instance their
retirement into the wilderness before the
approach of civilization has been with
feelings of reluctance and ill-lisguised re-
sentiment. The civilized invader, IN ap>
parent consideration for their interests,
commences by setting apart reservation >
of land for exclusive Indian uses; but at
length the frontier advenrurcr trenches on
their rights which results in relentless
war. l affirm that the red man is still re-
and willing to be made usef ul
being; and that, too, upon the least show,
ing of consideration 10 him. and conf
dcnce in his integrity. A ,tieEial at pres
ent he cannot become, being naturally of
10 naughty nature; but for the army, here
he would find his sphere and home. He
is apt and invaluable when properly train
d. The native Algerines form q n os,
important element Of the French army,
commanded by French officers. The
Turco has not the physique of the Paw
nee, Sioux, or Comanche. The Arab il
no better horstman, and the Sepoy is theil
Inferior. The measure of intelligence is
equal, and in tractability OF chArac er, be
fore the military training they received,
no preference is conce led for the T. glisll
or French native corps over our Amer
,can Indian. have invariably found
them, under the influence Of kind tr, At
meut, tractable and obedient. To come q,
once to the proposition which now make
10 the Government Upon receipt OF
official authorization, I will 60 to the res.
|ervation wherein are concentrated any
particular tribe (either Pawnees. Sioux,
Comanches, or others), and at once com
mence the task of training them, where
they are, selecting q sufficient number t0
form regiment; asking only that 1 shall
be under no control, and not subject to
interference until such time as l shall
have perfected them up to the point Of
full military requirement. From the ex
pertinent, carried out as propose, an ex
ample would be set which would bring
even all the Indians into perfect organiza
ltion, we're it deemed necessary for th'
benefit of the nation. The Indians, in 81
far rs military matters are concerned
would be very cumulative, Their nstura
war!ike disposition is at once the expians
tion of this. Tie different tribes wouit
be eagerly seeking admission into fhi
AUXILIARY corps were it organized and Sc
I'm motion. And, from this poiGt Of view
other branches of civilization would fol
J low. and emulation be carried into the art
of husbandry-paturally following that o
larms-into- mechanical and educations
pursuits; and then, by transplantihg thes
trained organizations to other localities
where their servIces might be required
order would spring from chaos. aud friend
ship grow up with esprit du corps, MAG
ing q glittering page in the sOtid histor
of advancement. First commencing wit
their natural instinct, and the rest Wi
follow. I see no reason why q corps O
tx. 900 native troops could not be added I
lour army without additional expense
). |shall require the services of few officer
lonlv. ss assistants. These to be, o
course, of my own selection. These con
Iditions being complied with, l guarante
THAT at tho end of six months after tn
lcommencement Of training. ! will marc
these Indians, by permission of the Gov
ernment, into the city of Washington
aud encamp them before the represents
lives of The whole country, and fully cor
Vince them that have msde the Indian
friends of the nation. proud of their o
lesuizatlon, and ready to compete success
fully with any military organization
1.-The world. This to be done without %
|ditional expense to the Government, fuI
lther than they incur upon their squalit
lhepelessly dsmoralized reservations. !.
Secretary 6churs has appointed
hoard 70 >,nvsstigsts the general modt
Iopefandi Of The Indian Bureau. the none
|aud property accounts Of Indian Agent
1.-THE last accounts of ell Agssts are %
end the law applied where II
. fegal writes exist.
p