The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-01-07
Correspondence Between Sehofield
and Miles as to the Recent
Battle.
The Presidents Great Anxiety to
Avoid Shedding the Blood
Of Indians.
An Honor to the Brave Seventh Cavalry
Hung Up Pending the Forsythe
investigation.

WAsorSGToN, Jan. 6.-Ihe following cor
y~espondence in regard to Colonel Forsythe's
case was made public to-day. Under date
of Dec. 30, Gen. Schofield te%legraphed Gen. |
Miles expressing the belief that he would
soon be master of the situation and asking
that his thanks be given to ''the brave Sew
enth cavalry for their splendid conduct"
Under date of Jan. l Miles telegraphed /
schoGeld as follows: 'Your telegram of con-
aratulations to Seventh cavalry received,
but az the action of the colonel command ]
ing will be a matter Of serious consideration
and will undoubtedly be the subject of in
vestigation, thought it proper to advis
you. In view of the above facts do you
wish your telegram transmitted as it was
sent. 1t is stated that the disposition of
400 soldiers and four pieces of artillery was
fatally defective and a large number of
soldiers killed and wounded by the fire of
their ranks and a very large number of
women and children were killed in addition
to Indian men,"
Gen. Schofeld telegraphed in reply under
date of Jan. 2: I'm view of the aspect of
the case presented in your telegram of yes
terday, it will be better not to deliver nv
message to the Seventh cavalry until / have
seen your report, after the investigation
you propose. Therefore, you will please
withhold it until further advised by me-
He also telegraphed Gen. Miles on the same
day as follows: Your dispatch to me yes-
terday. and that to the acknowledgement
we're shown the president, and in reply the
secretary OF war directs me to say that
the president has heard with great regret
of the failure of your efforts to secure n
settlement of the Sioux troubles without
bloodshed. lie suggests that possibly the
watchful observation OF hostile bands that
would prevent their breaking into the set
tlement ana giving the Indians time to
recover from their present excitement
would be well, but he leaves all
this to your better information and discre-
ton and would not have you omit ANYTHING
that is necessary to protect settlers. He
hopes the report of the killing of women
and children in the affair at Wounded Knee
is unfounded and directs you to cause i'm
mediate inquiry to be made and TO report
the result to the department. If there was
any unsoldierly conduct you will relieve the
responsible officer and SO use the troops en-.
gagged there az to avoid it's repetition. / wish
80 add to the presidents suggestions the
hope which still entertain in spite of tbs
unfortunate accidents which have occurred
that yea may be able. By convincing til.
Indians that the purpose of the army arr
not hostile to them, but on the contrary
friendly and dictated by a desire TO secur,
to them future <eace and prosperity, to OBJ
tain their surrender without further con
fiict..
General Schofeld received a Telegram
from General Miles at Pine Ridge, date.
January 5, az follows: I'm accordance witt
yOCr telegram and the pre- sident's order.
have detailed n board of officers consistin
of Colonel Carr, Sixth cavalry: Msio
Kent, Fourth infantry, and Captain Bald
win, Fifth infantry, to investigate the al
fair at Wounded Knee. Is this in con
formity witt the presidents directions, an
does he direct that it constitute a court G