Custer chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, Black Hills, D.T. [S.D.]) 1880-1890, 1886-11-20
Gen. Sheridan's Report.


Pioneer Press, we extract the following:
at the date of the last returns the
army of the United States consisted Of
21O2 officers and 23,946 men. Under
the lieutenant general refers feelingly.
to the death of Gen Hancock. He SAYS
that no military operations of impor.
tance have occurred in this division
during the year. The recommendation
heretofore nader by Gen. Schofeld and
his predecessor relative to the concen-
light batteries for their better instruc-
tion, are renewed, and attention is
called to the forth alton and armament
of our Atlantic Sea coasts. Under the
head of the Division Of the Pacific, after
alluding to the preser vation Of peace by
the prompt arrival of troops at points
where anti Chinese riots occurred, Lieut..
Gen Sheridan turns his attention To the
campaign against Geronimo. He states
it was his idea to remove to Florida the
Indians held AS prsoners,b by Gen. Crook,
last November, but thai he deferred
such action upou the recommendation
Of ten. Crook and Capt. Crawford. The
loss of Capt. Crawford was much to he
regretted, as ne would have terminated
the cruel and bloody atrocities which
continued for many months The re-
port then relates the circumstances
attending the surrender of Geronimo to
Gen. Crook upon terms which we're not
approved 10y the president, and the sub
seauent escape of the chief with twenty
warriors and thirteen woman. Touch
ing the relief Of Gen. Crock and his
replacement 10y Gen. Miles, Gen. Sher-
idan says it grew out of the fact that
G,n. Crook seemed welded to the
policy Of operating almost exclusively
with Indian scouts, and as his eXper-
ience WAS Of great weight, his policy
could not well be changed without his
removal to another field. To relieve
the department Of embarrassment, Gen.
Crook requested to be relieved, and
Gen. Miles was assigned to the com
mand. Gen. Miles went to work with
commendable zeal His troops followed
up the hostles with vigorous energy
broke up their camps by attack four or
J FIVE times, and gave them no rest until
they surrendered on Sept 1 under cir
cumstances and conditions, however,
that should not, in my Judgment, permit
their being turned oyer TO the civil
authorities for punishment, as was in
tended by the president. Sept. they
were started by Gen. Miles to Fort
Marion, Fla, without authority; but at
later date stopped at San Antonio till
their final disposition could be decided
Indians and their removal TO Florida
had been ordered by the president not
| withstanding the objections Of Gen.
Miles that it might be charged that the
government had taken advantage of the
| Indians, and that snch action would
necessitate war Of determination
against the hostiles then in old Mexico.
| The report notes a marked decrease in
| the number Of deserters from the army
during the past year, as compared with
precedin. years The percentage Of
deSertions in 1884 was Is, in 1885 III,
and during the past year S.3 The great
decrease since 1884 is due, no doubt, to
the Improvement Of administration and
| to the benefcent legislation which
provides for the honorable retirement
of enlisted men after long and faithful
service. He suggests that a law be
passed permitting the making Of con-
victed deserters with India ink so that
they may be known when they present
| themselves for re enlistment. The army
generally is in very healthy and graft
| fying condition, and the discipline
excellent But few officers have been
tried by court martial during the year,
',,I there has not been a period in
I'VE lty-fiye years when SO little nee
essity has existed for the correction OF
those holding commissions. 1t is sug-
gesteJ that congress open the entire list
to the extent OF embracing officers now
excluded from it for want of vacancies.
This would give certain degree OF
promotion, and If we could get the
infantry regiments Increased to twelve
companies, as proposed by the Mander-
son bill, and the increase Of 5000 men
reported favorably by the senate mill
tarv committee last winter, state OF
efficiency and usefulness would enable
us to creditably perform such service as
the country might demand. The in
struction of the army in the use of the
rifle or carbine with which the men are
Iarmed has been thoroughly prosecuted
during the wear, and the returns from
each department, as well as the results
If the regular competitions just closing,
exhibit decided improvement in the
proficiency Of the army in rifle firing
THE INDIAN PROBLEM.
The general renews his recommends