Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-03-15
TALKING ABOUT INDIANS.
What Lieut.. Kennon Says About the
Apaches and the Geronimo Surrender,

hpaches and the Geronimo Surrender
The Apache campaign and its results seem to
bea never-failing subject for discussion, and
will probably remain in that position until after
the death of either or both of the disputants in
the case, Gems. Miles and Crook. The latest
contribution to the literature on the subject
viii be found in the following interview which
STAR had the other day with Lieut. L. W. v
hennon Of Gen Crooks staff who is now in the
city. When asked concerning Gen. Miles re,
cent communication to the committe on Indian
affairs in regard to the removal Of the Apaches
from Mt Vernon barracks he said:
Il do not know where Gen. Miles obtained
his information regarding the Chiricahuas. He
visited the camp of the main body of the tribe
but once, believe, and he was with Geron-
tmo's band for perhaps three days after its sur
render. There were but thirty-two men,
women and children in this party and these
were VIGOROUSLY the worst in the tribe. 1t
would hardly be fair to judge the whole tribe
by these few. Gen. Miles can have but little
personal knowledge either of the history or
characteristics of these Indians, and his testi-
mony indicates as much, for it differs very ma
terially from that of men who have intimately
known them for many years"
THAT MUCH TALKED-oF SURRENDER.
''But what about Gen. Miles position in re-
gard to the surrender Of the Apaches?" was
asked.
"Gen. Miles has given US in his statement a
triae more light on that question" replied
Lieut.. KennOn. This has been much mooted
question, probably because Gen. Miles seems
never to have made explicit official state
ment as to what these terms were. His orders
gave him no option in the case. He has re-
ferred to authority which was given his pre-
decessor to accept a surrender but his own in
structions were simply to destroy or capture
the hostlles, making prominent use of the
regular troops From the first dispatches re-
ceived the President understood that the sur
render was forced one and unconditional.
and telegraphed at once that the Indians
should be very safely kept prisoners until
they can be tried for their crimes Gen.
Sheridan telegraphed: You are hereby d.
Iected to hold them in close confinement at
Fort Bowie Gen. Miles, however started
them off with as little delay as possible to Fort
Marion, Fla, since, as he now states before the
committee, he did not consider the order
binding He says there another order
sent to hold them at Fort Bowie, but, fortu-
nately, / did not receive it until they were on
their way through Texas to Fort Marion. Fla
Sheridans order sent, received and an
swered from Fort Bowie September z, 1856
Inc Indians were sent away from Fort Bowie
September 8, 1886.
This action raised the suspicion that there
were condition to the surrender. The Presi-
dent therefore directed Gen. Miles without de-
lay to send by telegraph a full report of the
a long written report were forwarded in re-
Spouse, but the desired information was not
contained in them. The President then re-
quested him to report by telegraph direct the
exact promises. if any, made to them at the
time of the surrender Gen. Miles replied
In order that you may fully understand every
fact and circumstance which led to that graft
lying result and some other important matter
OF which believe you should be apprised
respectfully request permission to report to
you in person This request was declined and
an answer to the inquiry as to conditions of
surrender called for without delay. A telegram
OF about $50 words resulted. From this. from
the report and from the previous kilograms
sent by him all that could be gathered was that
the status of the Indian prisoners was the
same as that of Chief Joseph. Sitting Bull and
hundreds of others-they are strictly prisoners
OF war, the result of the skill and fOrtitude of
our troops
WHAT THE INDIANS SAID.
1.-THE President then applied to other sources
for infor nation. The Indians stated that En-
Miles promised them that if they surrendered
to him and went to Fort Bowie in five DAYS
you Will see your families and no harm will be
done you. You will have a separate reserya-
ton with your tribe, with wagons and horses
and no one will hurt you They said he re-
peated the same things at Bowie, and clearing
piece Of ground with his hand said, Every
thing you have done up to this time will be
wiped out like that and forgotten, and you will
begin new Efe.'
THE statements of the Indians were con-
hrmed By the testimony of white men present
at the surrender.
'Gen- Miles now states: They we're in one
sense prisoners Of war without terms, but had
told them i was going to move them all out of
that country, and could not disregard what
had said
The Indians say they would have surren-
dered long before if they had known that they
would be allowed to do so. They were only a
remnant and were separated from their fami-
lies and kindred and desired to return to them.
Ihey were glad OF an opportunity to sur
render provided they could be assured of
safety to themselves and a reunion with their
tribe.
PRO AND CON.
"He speaks now o: the danger of their ex-
citing the kiowas and Commanches to 20 on
the war path if the Indians are moved to the
Indian territory, and says he knows the peo-
pie OF Arizona and New Mexico would have
just cause for apprehension If the Chiricahuas
were removed to the Indian territory, and
argues that Fort Sill would be a very un-
healthy place for them
In 1856 he had no such fears. He repeatedly
urged that this very step be taken for the pur-
pose OF securing permanent place. believe
they can be moved away from the mountain
regions OF Arizona and New Mexico and placed
within the control of the government where
they Will no longer be disturbing element or
HieHdCe 10 the scattered settlements.
In view OF these facts have the honor to re-
speetfully recommend that in consideration of
their good conduct and loyalty the Indians in
question be allowed to locate on the southeast
side OF the Wichita mountains, on the Kiowa.
Comanche and Apache reservation in the In
dian territory. am aware that there
are legal objections to their being at once
moved to the Indian territory, but should this
recommendation receive the approval Of the
executive department Of the government be-
neVe That Congress would be convinced of the
Importance and necessity Of removing any
legal objections to a measure that would secure
peace TO very large section of the country
AS late as October, 1883, Gen. Miles ex-
pressed the opinion that all of them might be
civilized and rendered self-supporting If placed
on arabic land and given a fair opportunity to
cultivate 1t He said he had urged that course
from the beginning, and it was his belief tina,
had 1t been followed with even Geronimo and
the worst Of his followers these Indians would
nave been seif-supporting by this time"
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