New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-01-06
also said that the settlers families all leaving
the county and fleeing to places OF safety.
THE SUSPENSION OF COLONEL FORSlTHE.
RELIEVED OF HIS COMMAND UNTIL TIE KILL
ING OF WOMEN AND CHILDREN
is EXPLAINED


is EXPLAINED
Washington, Jan The report of the relief
of Colonel FoSythe of his command of the 'th
Cavalry by General Miles, which was telcgraphed
East from unofficial sources was cOniirmct at the
War Department to-day. The officials, however,
showed dec ded Discrimination TO talk about the
matter Neither Secretary Proctor nor General
Schoteld willing to say much on the SUBJECT
although both practically admit that General
Miles did not act entirely upon his own response
bty.
Secretary Proctor said to a reporter: General
Miles did it, II is a very much miXed-up matter,
and may explain it later
General Schohcld was rather more communica-
tive. lie said There is not much that can say
about il just now, but | am willing TO explain
as far as | can. 1t had been suggested by
person whom | cannot mention that IL wolld
be well to look into the matter of the fight on
Wounded Knee Creek the other day, inasmuch as
the reports state that several Indian women and
children were killed. Accordingly General Miles.
at a suggestion from here, relieved Colonel For
sythc of his command pending an investigation Of
the circumstances of that fight, which inveStiga-
ton is probably now being conducted by General
Miles have as yet received no official informa
ton from General Miles about the matter and all
| know about what he has done is what ! have
seen in the newspapers. | expect a report from
him soon Yes the general management of the
fight is also to be looked into. but the particular
point in question is the death Of the women and
children
II is surmised by some officers that the person
who suggested" the investigation is the Presi-
dent, whose suggestions to the Army have all the
weight of orders
Considerable criticism against Colonel Forsythes
suspension heard in the War Department. 1t
seems to he directed against the policy Of rccv-
ing an officer durirs the progress of campaign,
instead of waiting until after the troubles set
tied As TO the charges that Colonel Forsvthe
allowed his men 10 kill women and children, it
is asserted tha, il would be impossible, in the hurry
and confusion of IN unexpected fight and the sub
sequcnt stampede and pursuit, 10 detect the sex
Of the SiouN. Ono officer remarked II is pre-
posterous 10 say that il is necessary IN an Indian
skirm>h to stop firing long enough 10 find ont
Just what sort of ~ Indian YOU are shooting al.
The women and the men look very much alike IN
their blanket costume, and the former are
quite as fierce fighters aS the men.
Sioux Squ0W Is a> bad an enemy as u
man al times The little boys too can shoot
cutie well their fathers, and what a spectacle
il would bc for soldier, on seeing tcnycar-Old
pointing loaded gun at linn, with as true an
aim the best marksman III the army, TO stop
his advance and cry out: My son, you must drop
that gun for yOu are MINOR, and / am not
allowed To hurt you.'
Another officer said AT this rate the Sioux
troubles will grow 10 be just as bad the events
ut the first three years of the war, when every
officer with an independent command had not only
an enemy in front OF him, but conrt-martial
| behind him.
Still another officer said that IL was a grave
error 10 order the relief Of Colonel Forsythc at
| this stage of the proceedings, and thus hold up
| a warning finger TO every colonel III tic HUE
| army around Pine Ridge TO tell them that the
death OF each Sioux must be explained