New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1878-09-21
THE INDIAN SITUATION.
HOSTILE MOVEMENT OF THE NORTHERN CHEYENNEs
CAUSE OF THEIR DIsCoNTENT--sHoRT RATIoNs
FOR HUNGRY MEN-THE INDIAN BUREAU AND

HOSTILE MOVEMENT OF THE NORTHERN CHENENNES
CAUSE OF THEIR DIsCoNTENT--sHORT RATIoNs
FOR HUNGRY MEN-THE INDIAN BUREAU AND
THE WAR DEPARTMENT.
IPRoM AN OCCASIONAL CORRESPONDENT OF THE TRTBUNEI
Fort SILL, /. T., Sept. Ia dispatch has
lust been received from Major Miner, In command at
Fort Reno announcing that the disconnected Northern
Cheyennes TO the number Of 800 OF all ages, including
about ninety men under Little Wolf Dull Knife Grow
and Hog had left their lodges the North Intending
to fight as they went Two companies Of cavalry started
at once in pursuit The gst Of the whole matter is this
About n year ago General Mckenzie, Of the 4th Cavalry
with six companies of his regiment left this post 20 as
sis the troops up in the Department OF the Platte IN
subduing the Sioux Indians 1t was found that num-
Der Of Northern CheyeHnes (sOme OF them renegades
from the reservation Fort RenOl assisting the
sioux General Mckenzie directed his operations
against them and succeeded In bringing on an engage
ment The Indians afterward came in and surrendered
and were brought prisoners 10 Fort Reno and turned
over 10 Agent Miles in charge Of that reservation Since
their return TO Reno they have expressed great dssa
faction partly on account OF their being compelled TO re-
main at reservation congenal 70 them and also be-
cause they have recently receiving hardly enough
ratons to keep body and soul together So much dscon
tent have they shown every action their part has
been looked upon with suspicion and lookout kept
upon them.
on the 9th inst the Indian Agent reported 70 Major
Miner that tue NOTtuetu NntlcHuts Hhu bVhb NpA
Miner sent his two panes Of the 4th Cavalry after
them and also telegraphod here and to Department
Headquarters for help 1t appears however, that the
troops came upon their camp about nine miles further
away and supposing that the Indians had merely
changed their camping place. returned 70 Reno and 30
reported Major Miner sent them back 70 have the In
dams enrolled so as to be under military supervision
but upon their arrival the Indians refused 70 be enrolled
Captain Rendlebrock the officer commanding the troops.
gave them until the next morning 20 be en-
rolled and return TO the reservation. Early In
the evening the Indians began TO throw up breast
works around their camp, as n for defence, and
the troops began TO prepare for tight next
day. During the evening several Indians
were noticed in the vicinity Of the herds
Of cavalry horses. and thinking that attempts
were being made for stampede the piokets fired on
them That evening about midnight the entire band Of
all ages deserted their lodges and breastwOrks and
quietly decamped for the North. The troops did not
discover their absence for about three hours as the
lodges were standing and camp fires burning. but as
soon possible the pursuit was taken up and still
going on.
The desperation Of these Indians can be surmised
when they would leave their lodges and all they have
Just at the commencement Of cold weather j learn
from good authority that for time past the Indians
have had nothing delivered 20 them In the shape OF
ratons except allowance Of beef and that In INSULT
cient quantity too They supposed TO get lalmost
what the army ration calls for, e., bacon, -four beef
sugar coffee salt and tobacco but they in luck II at
any time they get O full allowance OF either Of the
aboye-named articles have talked with some Of the
"blg chiefs here and invariably when questioned
the ratons Issued. they have held up seven OF their
fingers Ito indicate seven days ratOnsl pushed down
three or tour OF them TO indicate that the days
ratons lasted only three four days and in peculiarly
expressive manner held up the remaining fingers with
a most doeful face, saying heap hungry" And they
were hungry, tOO-as can testify from the appearance
Of my table at times after " good square meal has
been placed before them. This " shOrt-ratiOnsfOr-
Indians business, coupled with dishonesty OF agents,
Indian the country has ever had. hungry man
VIII hesitate at nothing TO relieve the cravings OF the
innerman and s Il reasonable 10 suppose that II Is
possible to take few thousand saVagcB place them on
reservations from which they are forbidden to depart
issue only parts OF ratOns all OF which are scarcely
remain dOcile and Obedlent TO their Oppr0ssOrs The
army officers know all these things but pOveress to
prevent them, although brought In daily contact with
the Indians; for the Indians are under the exclusive
control OF the Indian Bureau, and any interference
would be resented not only by the Indian agents who
ties Washington and especially the " Indian Ring"
AT the last session OF the House bill WAS passed
transferring the Indian Bureau 10 the War Department
The senate would agree 10 IL, but suggested joint
next session OF Congress That committee is now in
session, believe, and the Indian Bureau and Ring
using all their power and influence TO prevent the trans
fer 20 the War Department for they well know that
only will the Indians receive justice ia every respect but
matters pertaining TO the present regime will be
Of prominent Government officials.