Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1878-12-06
THE AMY.

THE IKHl..
Gfs-- Sherman, in his annual report to the
Secretary of War, refers TO the reports Of the
different commanders of the military depart
men!a, and invites particular attention to that
of Gen. Sheridan.
Beyond question, il was hunger which drove
the Bannocks and Cheyennes 10 war this sum-
mer, and similar escapades will occur each
year unless those Indians be kept quiet with
more food.
1t seems idle TO expect that the entorprisng
white race viii cease till every acre of this con-
tinent is susceptible of cultivation. 1t is net to
be expected that these pasture-tields can be
used by the two races without everlasting con
fiict. The reservations already set apart Cor
the Indians are large enough, and should suffice
them to raise all the meat and grain necessary
for their subsistence, bat meantime they must
have food else they will steal and fight To
convert these Indians into pastoral race is the
first step in the upward progress OF civilizations
that of culture mus: be the next stage, though
slower of realization. But in this direction is
the sole hope of rescuinS any part of the nomad
Indians from utter annlhilation. This
end cannot be reached by means of the
present peace agents, because persuasion is
wasted on an Indian. There must not only be
show of force, but actual force and subje ;tion
used. Force will be necessary 70 compel the
nomad to cultivate his own ground.
There is wide distinction among the tribes,
and each tribe must be dealt with according 10
its natII~e Large discretion to supply food
must be lodged with the President or some
where else. Starvation will each year cause
wars, sueh as occurred this year with the Sho-
shones and Southern Cheyennes. The army
cannot foresee or prevent these wars. All it
can do after the Indians break ont, plumber,
steal, and kill harmless families. is to pursue
aud capture them in detail after infinite toll,
then conduct them back to thor reservation,
and Turn them loose 70 return to the same game
al Hbtun4.
The General reports that the Indian problem
is not single problem, but many: as many, al
most, 40 there are tribes Measures which
would TO Sise in one instance would be folly in
another. and whatever department is charged
~!ti i! yau5t be armed, not only with force, but
large discretion and authority to furnish food
in emergencies
Gen. l.,r-rman doubts the wisdom of select
ing and preparing in advance, as recommended
by Gen. Hancock, posts and camps III the
South against yellow fever The artillery
school at Fortress Monroe is kept to high
standard, and is fast becoming post graduate
course for officers.
The report shows that there are {, S29 enlisted
men in the ten regiments of cavalry il the
army, Z, $50 men in the five regiments of arti-
lerv, and II 205 in the twenty five regiments of
infantry, making total of q ,GGH. Besides
these there are in the engineer battalion 1893
permanent and recruiting parties, music.boys,
and recruits Ill the'depots, l, l2l !; enlisted men
detached on general service, 372 ordnance de-
partments, 344 j; West Point detachments, 1870;
prison guard II Hospital Stewards, 1873 Ord
nance Sergeants, ia Commssary Sergeants,
1913; and Indian scouts, 34O total of ;5,097,
making the whole number of enlisted men In
the army "a, 76l.