The Cheyenne daily leader. [volume] (Cheyenne, Wyo.) 1870-1884, 1880-05-01
THE COMING CAMPAIGN.
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The following Iettsr Is from Gen.
Sherman:
H'DQ'Kis ARMY or UNITED STATE
Chicago, Ill, April 5, 1850
Hon. A. Ramsey. Secretary Of War,
Washington:
SIR: Gen. Sheridan and l have fully
discussed the situation of Affairs In the
Ute county western Colorado, which
forms q part Of the Department Of Mis-
souri,, commanded by Gen. John Pore,
with headquarters at Fort Leaven-
worth.
There are three bodies OF men bear
ing ON that country. see Hsydenis
Map Of Colorado, No. I'LL First,
Colonel MeKenzie's command at Fort
Garland, Of about ESQ men. completely
equipped with supplies aud transporta-
tion ready to advance the moment the
SHOWS melt In the passes. Second, the
force at the old agency at White River
North, under Lieutenant Colonel Gil
bert, Seventh infantry, Of about the
SAME strength as that Of Mckenzie, but
not in as good condition for ~ofiense, be-
cause Of the distance from the railroad
and impOssibility Of getting forage and
supplies at this season Of the year.
still this force Is ample tn prevent the
| white River Utes from returning to
their old hannts, and this is probably
the only part 1t can take in the future.
We propose TO let this party build huts,
and limit their operations TO the single
object Of keeping the Utes further
south, where they can be reached.
Third, a force Of 300 men, mostly Of
the Fifteenth infantry, at Pagosa
Springs, under Col. Buell.. Wepropose
TO give up Pagosa Springs, rs already
occupied by settlers, and move this
camp well out to Southwest Colorado,
ON the Animas or San Juan, and TO al
low them the $4,000 appropriated last
year, and still available to build n post
west, and south Of Animas City, n min
ing aud farming region near which
some OF the Utes will doubtless elect to
settle. Please examine that a%ppropria-
tion bill and notify Gen. Sheridan II
this sum be available for that purpose.
IL SO II will be sufficient.
The first Of these named, viz: Gen.
Mackenzie, must DE chiefly depended ON
for aggressive movement, and he can
be reinforced to any desirable extent by
rail, but on the theory that we will
this spring be only required to occupy
the Ute country, Gen. Mckenzie will
be ordered forward rs soon as wagons
can be used on the road Saguache and
Del Norte to the Uncompahgre agency,
and thence to reconnoitre forward as
far rs the junction Of Gunnison and
Grand riversto select n site for aconsid-
cradle post. one that will ensure peace
In al that region. For this purpose a
hundred thousand dollars will be indis-
pensably necessary, and l earnestly ad-
| wise that you ask this sum of congress
at the earliest date possible, because
the post ought u he built this year.
Troops cannot well live In that region
without warmth and shelter, and stores
should be sent forward before Septem-
Der for the whole winter. With a good
strong post Mt or G the junction Of
the Gunnison and Grand, the whole of
western Colorado, a country supposed
10 be rich in gold and silver, can he
explored and utilized, paying back the
cost of these forts a hundred fold.
General Sheridan and I agree that II
the Utes win take land in severalty,
and become citizens OF the state OF Col
orado, 1t will be n long step in the
right direction; but prudence dictates
that due precaution be taken that the
Indians, who never give notice Of their
conclusions, ought not to have the
chance unopposed to resist with ambush
and rifles the occupation of the lands
hitherto construed IS their exclusive
domain.
With a strong post on the Gunnison,
and the two indicated ae White river
and the Animas, / feel certain that the
army can enforce the peace in that
mountain regionfor some years to come.
With great repect, etc.,
(Signed) w. T. SHERMAN,
Official: General.
JNo. NJ. BACON, colonel, and A. d. c.