St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1891-01-03
Discomfort BREWING.
A Party in Washington Want
More Active Campaign.


More Active Campaign.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 2.-Gen. Schofield
this morning received telegram from
Gen. Miles, dated Pine Ridge Agency.
Jan. 1, saying that 5000 Indians, men,
women and children, and including
GOO bucks, are now encamped in sec
ton of the Bad Lands about fifteen
miles from the Pine Ridge agency, and
there is almos, Gordon or troops around
them. Gen. Miles announces that he
hoped to be able to induce the hostiles
to surrender without a struggle. The
spot where they are encamped he de-
Scribes as somewhat like the lava beds
of California, where the ModocS
made their final fight. 1t is
an excellent position from an
Indian standpoint, but there
are now no avenues of escape, all hav-
ing been closed by the troops. Gen.
Miles says the Indians have gathered
some cattle and provisions. and appear
TO be determined to make their fight for
supremacy at this point. He says he
will make another effort to get them
back to the agency without bloodshed,
and in order to do SO he has established
regular siege around this stronghold.
"lt is very difficult" said Gen. Scho-
field, Ito estimate just how many troops
there are now on the scene of action.
Gen. Miles has twelve regiments of in
fantry, five of cavalry, and some artil-
lery forces, about half a regiment. This
gives him seventeen and a half regi-
mentS, but that would not indicate the
number of men, for it is impossible to
say how full a complement each
regiment has in the field. When
troops move in the winter in such
hurry. there is always large proper
ton OF the men left behind from sick
ness, ETC., and i would not like to guess
how many soldiers there are in the cir
Gle around the, Indians. Gen. Ruger
will probably remain at st. Paul in
command of the vast region north of
the trouble. His services there are
more valuable than they would be at
Pine Ridge. His troops have come
south from the railroad and are now in
line on the White river. Just behind the
Indian camp"
Secretary Proctor had an interview
with the president on the Indian cam
paign this morning. There is nothing
in the official atmosphere at the war de-
partment to indicate that Gen. Miles
course of cOnciliation, or rather peace
full force, is not entirely approved by the
president, the secretary and the gen
eral. His dispatches are received and
filed without reply. and everything goes
to show that this trio of authority
is perfectly complacent over the situa-
ton and its management. The news
contained in the dispatch to Gen. Scho-
field spread quite rapidly over the de-
partment this morning, and caused con-
siderable comment among certain Off
GERS who do not agree with their Supe-
riorS as to the present campaign.
There is strong party i'll favor of
more decided style of hostilities. They
say that single assault with intent 10
kill. if necessary, would preciDitate a
battle so full of lasting benefit that the
loss of few men would not be regarded.
The theory of this argument seems to
be based entirely on the belief that
dead Indian is much more valuable to
the government than captured Indian
or one cajOled or frightened into SUBJ
lection. On the other hand, it is COLI
tended that such a campaign as that
which is being conducted by the CON-
mander now at Pine Ridge is not
only feasible, but the only proper
style of warfare, every condition being
regarded. They argue i'll rebuttal of
the dead Indian" theory, that the Sioux
can be easily subjected and returned to
their reservations if the proper means
are employed, and they think that the
present campaign is the only way to ac-
complish that end. A prominent war
department official commenting upon
the Indian troubles said:
Mark my word, my boy, If the re-
/ ports are true that the friendlies have
joined the hOstiles, leaving nothing be-
hind but squaws and children. there will
be serious times. You see the red men
are at home in the hills and can shoot
just as we'll in winter as in summer.
The soldiers, on the other hand, are
hampered by their gauntletS and heavy
clothing, and although they are good
shots, they are not in it with a band of
desperate Indians. The fact is. my boy,
that the Indians never will remain con-
tented as long as the Indian agencies
are political appointments. An Indian
agent knows he must make,hiS pile in
four years, and 600 pounds of beef
weigh only 400 pounds is the result
Then the Indians go hungry and get
restless, and are easily led off by the
fight-loving bucks. If Bill Cody had
been left alone. he would have settled
the whole trouble. A party and q
council of war would have resulted IN a
thorough understanding of what the
Indians complained of, and the friendly
inclined Indians could have been easily
placated."
Secretary Noble has requested the
secretary of war TO assign troop of
cavalry for police duty in the Yellow
stone National Park, to take the place
of Capt. BoutelIe's command, which,
acting under the orders of the general
commanding, has joined the troops now
operating against the hostile Indians.
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