Idaho semi-weekly world. [volume] (Idaho City, Idaho Territory) 1875-1908, 1878-09-17
INDIANS AROUND CAPE HORN.

that the volunteer company that went
from Bonanza City and buried the
man that was killed at Cape Horn on
the 4th inst. found where the main
body of Indians were and could have
engaged them, and would, had their
force been little stronger. The II
dams were seventy or eighty strong,
and two or three having placed them
selves in plain view, attempted to get
the men to approach. A courier was
sent to Col. Greene's camp, but he
was off on a fishing excursion, and
the officer in command refused to 60
saying he had travelled two thousand
miles after Indians without seeing one.
His help was urged, the courier guar
anteeing that he could strike the hos
inside of two hours travel But the
appeal avaiIed nothing, and another
chance for whipping a large band
was lost. Col. Greene off fishing, and
the Indians where they could he
reached in two hours! That is the
kind of officers we have to protect the
settlers of Idaho Territory, and who
are continually telegraphing abroad
that the Indians are so badly scat
tered that it is impossible to capture
them. The people OF Idaho know
that the officers have not exerted them
selves in trying to engage the red
devils, and are Justly indignant at
their course. That they have travelled
a great deal during the war is true,
and that most of them have avoided
battles when favorable opportunities
were offered is also true. The war is
becoming a serious affair, and has al
ready proven a severe blow to the
Territory, which was rapidly being
settled up when it broke out. That
the people should have their farms dcs
troyed, and murders continually be-
inc committed while those in com
mand of the troops are doing nothing
to suppress it is a disgrace to the War
Department Signal fires may be
seen every night at point eight or
ten miles southeast of Cape Horn, in
the Saw-Tooth range, where t c hos
tiles appear to be concentrating.
There are several men prospecting in
that section, and, while advancing the
interests Of the country, they ought to
be protected There is no excuse for
leaving hostile Indians toroa through
the mountains. If prospectors and
volunteers can find diem, why is it
that the soldiers cannot? We think it
is because they do not want to fight
if it can possibly be avoided. An off
Ger with a sufficient number of men {
at his command TO defeat a band Of
hostiles is in duty bound to give them :
battle when they are pointed out to I
him. This the officer in command Of ,
Colonel Greenes forces failed to do on
the request of twenty citizens who Of |
fercd to fight with him, and lie ought S
be tried for cowardice The Colonel f
who was out fishing when he was '
aware that the mountains were full of
Indians, ought to be dismissed from
the service. Idaho has lost many Of |
her best citizens this year by the army
being too slow to catch the hostiles, D
aud many of the officers too cowardly q
to do their duty when the enemy were
delivered into their hands. Time, lives a
and property would have been saved '
lad the citizens been entrusted with Y
Inc carrying on Of war on their own /"
;tyle from the commencement. If the &
people depend on the army to end it 3
hey may have to wait a long time. y
That we will have trouble with the
, - Cl,na,, To forc until tho