The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1886-11-14
1T. GENERAL SHERIDlN'S
REPORT TO THE SECRETARY OF
WAR
Showing the Operations OF the Mill.
tary Forces Of the Republic
the Past Year.

81 WASHINGTON, November Is Lieu.
tenant General Sheridan has sub.
mitted TO the Secretary Of War mis- an.
nual report showing the operations of
the military forces during the past
year. From the report il appears that
at the date of the last returns the army
OF the United States consisted of 2IO2
officers and 20, 946 men.
Under the head of the Division of
the Atlantic, the Lieutenant General
refers feelingly TO the death Of Gen.
Hancock. He ssys that no military
operations OF importance have oc-
Cured in this division during the year.
The recommendation heretofore
made by Gen. schofeld and his pre-
decessor relative to the concentration
at some suitable point OF several light
batteries for their better instruction
are renewed, and attention is called to
the Notification aud armament of our
sescosets lying along the Atlantic
ocean. The Lieutenant General says
that while the Division of the Missouri
has had no troubles approaching a
condition Of hostilties during the
year, many operations of a minor nat
ure have been rendered necessary to
suppress predatory raids in Montana
by Indians from one reservation di-
rected mainly against Indians Of other
reservations TO protect the Indian
Agents from the insolence and insub-
ordination of their charges, and to &c.
cure settlers from the lawless demands
of rowing bands who have been per-
mittsd, on one pretext or another, to
leave their reservations. The adj ust-
ment made with the Cheyennes and
Arspshoes by the President through
the medium of the Lieutenant Gen
eral in July, 1885, has allayed all irri-
tation in the Indian Territory, but the
troops in that region have been kept
constantly employed in the proven
ton OF unlawful settlements in the
Oklahoma country and its invasion by
herders OF cattle. I'M ess some legisla
ton is had which wi | specially fix the
status OF the Oklahoma land he fears
its many advantages in the way OF
beautiful landscapes and fertile coil
will prove a continual temptation
TO an adventurous population near its
border, which in short period could
make it prosperous State. Reports
from the Uintah and Ouray Indian
Agency in Utah, where the situation
last winter was threatening, indicates
that the Agent is now satisfied and
the Indians have ceased their inso'
lence and appear willing to behave
themselves. In noting the abandon.
ment Of Fort Fred Steele and Fort
Ellis the Lieutenant General says it il
his desire to persevere in the policy Of
abandoning small posts that are nc
longer useful. Under the head of the
Division Of the Pacific, after alludipe
to the preservation Of peace by the
prompt arrival of troops at points
where anti, Chinese riots were threat
ened, Lieu enant General Sheridan
turns his attention to the campaign
against Geronimo. He states that i
was his idea to remove to Florida tn,
Indians held as prisoners by Gen
Crook last November, but that he de
ferred such action upon the recon-
mendations Of Gen. Crook and Capt
Crawford.
Touching the death of Capt. Craw
ford, at time @hsn negotiations haC
been opened with the hostile INDIAN
at their solicitation, with a view o
their surrender, Gen. Sheridan says
TIE loss OF Captain Crawford wa
much to be regretted, ss he would, il
my opinion, have at that time ter
| minated the cruel and bloody atroc
tiles which continued thereafter 70
many months"
The report then relates in detail tn
circumstances attending the qualified
surrender of Geronimo to Gen. Crool
upon terms which Were not approved
by the President and the subsequen
etcape OF the Chief with twenty war
riors and twelve women. Touching
the relief of Gen. Crook and his re
plscement.by Gen. Miles, Gen. Sheridan
says it grew out OF the fact that Gen
Crook seemed welded to the policy o
operating almost exclusively with In
dian scouts, and as his experience wa
OF great weight, his policy could no
we'll be changed without his remova
to another field.
To relieve the department of EN-
barrassment. Gen. Cook had requisite,
to be relieved, and Gen. Miles ha'
been assigned to the command upol
the recommendation Of Gen, Sheridan
under the following orders:
WASHINGTON, April 81, 1885.
Gen. Nelson A. Miles, TT. Leavenworth
Kas:
The Lieutenant General directs ths
on assuming commanded the Depart
ment of Arizona you fix your head
quarters temporarily at or near som
point on the Southern Pacific. III
directs that the greatest care be take
to prevent the spread of hostilitie
among the friendly Indians in you
command, and that the most vigorou
operations looking to the dsetructio
or capture Of the hostiles be ceast
lessly carried ON. He does not wis
to embarrass you by undertaking
this distance to give specific instru'
lions in relation to operations sgaini
the hostiles, but that it is deemed &C
visable TO suggest the necessity o
making active and prominent use
the regular troops OF your command
It is desired that you proceed
Arizona as soon rs practicable,
r. @. DRUM, Adjutant Geueral.