Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1891-01-06
COLONEL FoRsYTHe RELIEVED.
Probably Suspended by the President
Pending an OHicisi Inquiry.
fnv teieRrnph 10 the Dispetcb.1

by telegraph 70 the Dlspetcbl
WAsInNGToN. ID. c., January "a report
realhed here to-day through unofficial
sources that Colonel Forsythe had been re-
lcyei of his command of the troops at
Pine Ridge. This report was confirmed at
the Var Department TO-DAY. The officials,
however. show decided dissemination to
talk about the matter.
Neither Secretary Proctor nor General
schoheld Is willing 10 say very much on
the subject. although both practically adj
mt that General Miles did not act entirely
upon his own responsibility. Neither OF
them admit having ordered Forsythe's sus-
pension from command, but both say Miles
probably acted upon a suggestion from
here. and az there IL nobody here besides
these two who is IN position to
suggest ANYTHING To Miles excepting Presi-
don't Harrison the conclusion Is reached
tlat IOrsythe was suspended by the Presi-
dent pending inquiry into the circum-
stances attending the fight at Wounded
kuer last week. in which 50 many lives
were lost, both Of whites and of Indians.
INVESTIGATING The INDIAN SLAUGHTER.
General Schofeld said that an investiga-
tom of the Wounded Knee light is pfobably
now being conducted by General Miles.
The general management OF the tight is
also 10 he looked into, but the particular
ncn and children.
CRITICISM or TIE SUSPENSION.
Considerable criticism against Colonel
i0rsythes suspension Is heard in the War
Department. Ii seems 10 be directed
against the policy Of relieving an officer
uuUs the progress of a campaign instead
waiting until after the troubles are set
Ted. As to the charge that Forsythe allow
cd his men to kill women and children, 1t
8 asserted that il would be impossible in
he hurry and confusion of an unexpected
i-ht and a subsequent stampede and pur-
alit, ~ detect the sex OF the Sioux.
TRYrosTERoUs Cd PROPOSITION.
One officer remarked that 10 is preposte-
-oa- 10 say that 1t is necessary in an Indian
,iuLlsh 10 stop firing long enough to find
cut just what sort of an Indian you are
shooting at The women and the men
Look very much alike in their blanket COS
lume and the former are quite as fierce
lighters ~ the men. The Sioux sQuaw Is
as bad an enemy as q buck at times. The
Tile bovs. too, can shoot quite as well as
Their fathers. and what spectacle 1t would
nr Tor soldier, on seeing ten-year-old
ppirunga loaded gun at him with as true
lu am a. the best marksman in the army,
90 stop his advance and cry: My son, you
must drop that gun, for you are MINOR,
aud am not allowed 10 hurt you"
AgENISDKB OF THE WAR.
Another officer said: AT this rate the
SIOUX troubles will grow to be Just as bad
A. The events of the first three years of the
var, when every officer with an indie
pendent command had not only an enemy
.n front OF him, but court-martial be-
bind him."
Still another officer said that il was
crave error 10 order the relief of Colonel
to-sythe at this stage of the proceedings,
and tbus bold up warning finger TO every
commander in the little army around Pine
Ridge TO tell them that the death of each
Sioux must DO explained.