River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1879-10-30
THE INDIAN WAR.


A WASHINGTON dispatch of the 10Th
SAYS that in consequence of the stormy
weather which has set in, the route be-
tween Rawlins and the White River
agency. and of the retreat of the hostile
Utes over the mountains southwark from
the latter point, it has been determined TO
relinquish the former purpose of rein
forcing Gen. Merritt, by direct line from
the Union Pacific railroad, but orders
have been issued by Gen. Sherman for
an immediate concentration of troops
near Alamosa aud Pagosa, Colorado,
with view to joining Gen. Merritl's
forces and of cooperating with him in
the Uncompahgre region, in case the
scene of nos .ilitles shall have been shift
ed thus far to the southwark. No advices
have been received at army headquarters,
either from Merritts command or in re-
gard to Apache disturbances in New
Mexico 1t is believed, however, the lat
ter will be speedily quelled, as Gen.
Morrow, if he fails to overtake the mar
auding Indians, will undoubtedly drive
them over the border into Mex
A RAwLINs dispatch of Oct. 21st says
Gen. Merritt and command returned to
this point, orders from Washington being
to suspend operations against the Utes and
an ait orders at White or Bear Rivers, as
negotiations for peace are in progress. 1t
being understood that the hostiles
have agreed to surrender the warriors
engaged in the recent depredations, it is
probable that the combined commands
of Merritt and Gilbert will remain for
the present at this point although moth
ing definite is known as to future move
ments In the event of peace being es-
tablished, it is altogether probable that a
permanent military post will be con.
structed either at Bear River or the
agency.
A Los PINos telegram.under date of
the 22nd, states that General Adams,
special commissioner of the interior de-
pariment to effect the release of women
and children captured at White river
agency, accompanied by Count Dornhof,
of the German legation at Washington
reached Ouray's house last night and
came TO the agency this morning. He
leaves Immediately for the White river
country, escorted by 10 Utes, command
ed by Chief Saperno. Douglas is encamp-
ed about 100 miles from here. If the
women are given up he will probably re-
turn in six days. Chief Ouray is doing
all in his power to assist Adams, and
there is fair prospect that the women
will be Immediately surrendered on his
reaching the Indian camp. A runner in
yesterday, reports them safe and kindly
treated by Douglass.
The interior department advices of
Oct. 22nd state that the department has
not as yet decided to make public the
nature of its instructions to Agent Adams
but Chief-Clerk Lockwood, referring to
this subject today, said; "There will be
no nonsense in the proceedings. Com
missioner Adams will tell them what
parley. The Indians will
HAVE TO ACCEPT THE TERMS OR FIGHT.
The Indians will be required to surren-
der the women and children taken from
the White River. agency, to give up the
murderers of Thornburg and Meeke1,
and throw themselves upon the mercy OF
the government. Secretary Schurz has
hopes that through the good offices OF
Chief Ouray, the Indians will accept the
terms"
The matter was considered at the cabi-
net meeting this afternoon, Gen. Sher-
man having been present, by invitation,
for that purpose. Gentlemen who
were present at this meeting say that,
whatever may be the reports TO the
contrary the statements of both Gen.
Sherman and Secretary Schurz showed
that they are in entire accord both as to
the punishment of the Utes and as TO the
means to be employed to do this. Gen.
Sheridans dispatches were read and con-
sidered, and il was agreed that, when he
sent the dispatch TO Gen. Sherman which
| created SO much comment, he was not
fully advised of the situation.
A YANKroE dispatch. dated Oct 25th,
says information from The Indian coun-
try is that last Friday So loees of Mime
cOnjou Sioux, under Chief Burntfall, left
the Cheyenne agency and started out on
the war path. The only depredations
thus far reported, is a protitless raid on a
Black Hills wagon team. Two COM
panies of the 18th infantry are in pursuit.
A TUSCAN special to the Star from Sill
yer City, N. NJ, of Oct 25th, says depre-
dations are being committed by Indians.
Victoria's band has divided, one party
going in the direction OF Florida Noun
lains. Capt. Boyer has issued warn
ing TO all settlers on the upper ella to be
on the alert. There is great danger
ahead. Major Morrow is in hot pursuit
of Victoria with 800 soldiers. Citizens
of Silver county have organized, and 90
men, well equipped, are ready TO move at
any moment
A WASHINGTON dispatch of Oct 25th
Says the commissioner of Indian affairs
received dispatch from Agent McGilli-
cuddy, at Red Cloud agency, saying
"Twenty Sitting Bull Indians are just in
with pass from Major Walsh British
officer at the nearest post acros The Dor
der. Many will come when the Mis-
souri, freezes. Do you want them fed ?"
To this Commissioners Hayt replied as
follows: Require Sitting Bulls Indians
to surrender their arms and ponies,
place them by themselves under surveil-
lance of the police and feed them.
Further orders will be sent shortly.
(Signed) E. A. HAYT, Com'r
The commissioner has sent TO Agent
McGillicudy the following telegram:
"The secretary desires me to say that
Sitting Bull Indians returning must be
looked upon virtually as prisoners of
war. They must surrender arms and
ponies. The idea must not be allowed
to spread among shem that they can
simply come back and be fed. Every
one of them, if fed, must be made to earn
his own rations by work for the govern
ment. Enforce this policy strictly ami
keep them well Watched
A letter received from the same Indian
agent today, reports that the Sioux uT-
der his charge are exceedingly anxious
to enlist and assist the great father in the
war against the Utes.
---~ --------