Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-01-12
NEARING THE AGENCY.

affidavit Of its circulation.
|
NEARING THE AGENCY.
The Hostiles Said to BE Within Few Miles
of Pine Ridge.
| THEIR FAILURE TO CONE IN YESTERDAY DIsAP-
POINTED GEN. MILEs-REPoRTs FROM THE VA
/ RIous COMMANDS GEN. HOWARD OPPOSES
THE EMPLoYMENr OF ARMY OFFICERS AS AGENTS.
The failure of the Indians to put in an ap-
pcarsnce at Pine Ridge agency yesterday was a
source of disappointment to Gen. Miles, who
had expected them yesterday morning. Satur-
| day night the general sent & courier to Capt.
Ofiey. commanding the second battalion of the
seventh cavalry, stationed on Craven creek.
| 1 Inc captain had been ordered to take posi-
ton between the agency and Gen. Brooke. He,
however, could not find water and was COM
PEELED to move forward to the headwaters OF
Craven creek. This position was about eight
miles from the agency and commanded an ex-
eellent view Of the latter, the camp Of Gen.
| Brooke. and even the camp of the hostiles. He
could have Witnessed any move easily and
| reached Pine Ridge ahead OF any detachment
| U. hostiles
Captain Offiey said that while he had been in
camp a period of eigh: days he had not seen an
Indian in the neighborhood. He had been re-
called TO the agency for the purpose OF aiding
in repelling night assault, as also an attack of
the friendlies after the hostiles should have re-
turned His battalion has gone into camp
with the first battalion of the seventh, thus
completing semi-circle on the hill overlook
ing the friendly camp anu commanding the
agency The command consists of Z troop,
Capt. Seckel and Lieut.. 3. Rice; troop, Capt.
Henry Jackson and Lieuts. L. II. Hare and T.
Z; Donaldson; troop, Capt. Z. s: Godfrey aud
lfcuts. L. W. Robinson and X. III. TOmpkins:
q troop, Capt. w. $. Edger and Lieuts. L. Z.
Brewer and J. Z. Bell.
| COL. HESIY's COMMAND MOVES.
Lieut.. Bettcns, ninth cavalry, came in yes
terday and announced that Col. Henrys COM
mand had moved ON White river. seven miles
nearer the agency. This command is accom-
panied by four companies of the second in
| fantry under Col. Wheaton. Mr.. Bettens an
nounced that the hostiles were about ten miles
to the left of the command, a distance of about
fifteen miles. Cen Brooke marched about six
miles yesterday and his position ON White Clay
has been taken by Col Oifiey.
These two commands will follow the Indians
Lieut.. Bettens also reported that the Indians
were moving slowly to Pine Ridge.
Capt. Pierce, successor to Ag,u Rover after
several delays, arrived yesterday. lie just
reiInquished the recruiting service at Min
nenpolis. He said that he had not had ex-
perience near Pine Ridge before. but he had
considerable of 1t among the San Carlos
| Indians.
in what respect is it preferable to have a
military officer Il civilian act rs agent on u
| reseryationF he was asked. The captain con-
sidered the question for II minute and then
| said: Il do not want to say anything on the
| subject now. l viii talk to you later about the
matter when shall have time to give it some
tnapgh4ss
Hd91u iHpsrnEs NEAR THE AGENCY
/. i;A band of hostiles yesterday morning killed
Il a. lumber of cattle belonging to friendlies
about five miles from the agency. The latest
report at midnight was that the hostiles were
about five miles from the agency.
Saturday afternoon pickets were sent out
quite distance from the agency and the In
dian police and scouts about the agency have
been reinforced by q number Of Whine soldiers.
/ 1t was deemed better to do this than to relieve
! the indians altogether, AT first contem-
| plnted. Gen. Miles and staff inspected all the
approaches and defenses that evening. The
general expressed himself satisfied, and moth
ing now remains save to wali Tor the arrival OF
the hostiles.
II is learned that Gen. Miles does not con-
template disarraing the Indians ut present,
| and i. is intimated that that disaereeGbIc task
will be left to the leaders of the various bands.
Couriers came in Saturday from Gen.
BTooke's command on White Clay creek and
| brought word that all were well and enduring
| the cold Weather with patience.
at Wounded Knee, died. and while she was be-
ing buried two more were brought to the
| agency Ia u terrible condition. They said that
they were wounded il The fight, dragged them
selves oil to a rayine and sheltered themselves
AS best they could during the blizzard. Since
that time they have been crawling to the agency.
They said that four other women and three
men, all wounded, who started out with them,
died on the road.
GEN. HowARD's OPINION.
The Jacksonville, Fla, Times Union yester-
day Published interviews with Maj. Gen. o. o.
Howard, U. s. A.. commanding the military
division Of tine Atlantic, in which he criticises
the governments general policy toward the
Indians. and takes issue with Gen. Sherman az
to the wisdom of transferring the Indian bureau
from the Interior to the War Department..
| He said: Our first mistake--and it was a
serious one--was in the making of treaties with
the North American Indians with a separate
nation. They not nation. They are
| American people. and should be dealt with az
Atlerican subjects This attempt to take q
portion Of the people inherent to a nation and
| 70 plase it beyond the operation Of the laws OF
4 th9t rabpD, especially when this portion has
nethipXto entitle il to recognition as a sepa-
| rate and distinct government, is an anomaly in
| the history of government, and it has proved
not only unsuccessful. but disastrous. Such q
mistake was bad enough. but when it compre-
hended the ratifying of treaties which could moi
| DC h0pt- inc CHly rcbult wOulu De trOuDlc and
bloodshed.
| SECOND MIsraGr-
"A second mistake was the sIoption Of the
reservation system and its continuance in the
face Of failure. There is no reason in saying t.
an Indian that he shall go on q reservation ant
stay there. He will ask, and not unreasonable
Why should go on one tract Of land AMI remain
there! Who gives you authority to control nv
personal freedom? The white mar comes ant
goes ~ he chooses. but you tell me must q,
30 far and no farther. What personal right Ia,
white men more than II am heir OF liberty
just as he is-more so, for the land was ono,
all ours. So long rs obey the laws why should
not roam from one end Of the country to til,
other, if I wish, like white man? But yor
} say no. I must squat in one place and stay
there"
| OPPOSED TO Army INDIAN AGENTS
When asked if he favored the transfer of the
Indian bureau to the War Department, Gen
| Howard said:
Il do not; am strongly opposed to it. Ny
position. am fully aware. Is in direct opposi
ton to that of Gen. Sherman and other arm,
officers, but 1t is based upon my experience il
dealing with Indians and upon a close study o.
the Indian problem"
"What are your objections to the changer
TO begin with, it comprehends / believe
the appointment Of army officers as Indiar
agents-positions heretofore filed by civilians
| Making an army officer nm Indian xv.nIT