Daily globe., 1879-06-17
WATCHING THE INDIANS.
Gen. Miles Ordered to Take the Field L
Guard Against Depredations.

~ q
Gen. Miles Ordered to Take the Field to |
Guard Against Depredations.
| Yesterday further parti iculers were learned
ct military department headquarters in re-
gard to the column Of troops to be put in
the field from Fort Keogh, under command
Of Gen. Miles, colonel Of the Fifth United
States infantry. AS intimated in the
GLoBE's Sunday dispatch, these troops are
to be sent out to prevent apprehended dep-
relations by hunting parties from Sitting
Bulls camp across the British line.
Some time ago information was conveyed
BY friendly Indians that Sitting Bulls fol-
lowers c0ntemp ated hunt on the American
side. Shortly afterwards the buffalo began
going south, and after them several detached
bands of. the self-exiled Sioux. Complaint
was then made by the Indians of the Poplar.
Greek agency that they were deferred from
hunting BY the presence of these supposed
hostiles. In fact they related that several of
their hunting parties were driven in from the
range by Sitting Bulls Indians.
This complaint was forwarded by the In:
dian agent to the Department of the Interior
Secretary Schurz to the War Department.
The affair was placed in Gen. 6herman's
hands, and he having consulted with Gen.
Sheridan, the latter gave Gen. Terry. COM
manding this department, discretion to act as
he thought advisable III the matter.
An examination confirmed the reports of
the Indian, agent and established the fact
that not a few Indians of the British Posses
sions were over the border, and likely to be
followed by others. Is
In view of this state of affairs, Gen. Terry
prepared to meet any probable emergency.
He ordered Gen. s. Miles, command
ing at Fort Keogh, to prepare a
column of troops for active
operations in the field; the force to be drawn
from Fort Keogh and the ne1ghboring post
of Fort Custer.
It is expected that the two garrisons will
supply command numbering about 600 to
800 men. Gen. Miles has been directed to
equip his command for field services as soon
as possible, and his route has been mapped
out for him by Gen. Terry.
The column will move northward from
Fort Keogh, cross the Missouri river, and
take position as corps of observation, sc
to speak. The country north of the river
. will be thoroughly secuted and closely
watched1to prevent any depredations. The
object is to place in the field sufficient
force to clearly show Sitting Bull that the
government is prepared for him, if he contem
plates q raid. No apprehension is entertained
that the movement OF troops will bring
! about conflict; but in case the Indians
from over the line are on hostile mission
they will be Hospitality received.
}. It has not been definitely determined whe1
, the column of troops will take the field, bu
possibly at q very early day. Gen. Terry
awaits advices from Gen. Miles as to tn,
condition Of his command and the supplies
7 needed.
In this connection it is not amiss to refe
to the Pioneer Press proclivity to blunder
! II dispatch received from Bismarck yes
terday, a day later than the G1oBE's account
it is stated, "Gen. Miles has been INSTRUCTED
by Gen. Sherman, at the request of Gen. Ter
~, to prepare for the field" It so happen
that Gen. Miles is subordinate to Gen
Terry and is directly commando,
,, , by the latter. The correct thing woul
have been for Gen. Sherman to request Gen
Terry, etc. However, the GLOBE correct
: the error by the above account of the Who'll
business.
: Gen. Terry does not anticipate any hostil
demonstrations on the part of the huntin
parties. But the matter having been cor
fided to bis charge, be deemed it discreet t
y be in the field at an early day, and has mad
8 preparations accordingly with the troop
nearest to the country over which the but
: falo are ranging and the Indians are hun
. ing.