Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1891-01-06
An Assault from the Indians IS Momen-
tarily Expected.

tarily Expected.
OMAHA, January 5th.-The Bees correspond
ent at Pine Ridge telegraphs as follows:
AL IS one long continued round of excite
ment here and an attack from the Indians is
almost momentarlly expected. As TO the stu
alton here, considered in its entirety, indica-
tions that the greatest battle in Indian history
is almost at hand are increasing. The reports
OF every scout add new and strong support to
these indications. that were only emphasized
by the bloody affair on Wounded Knee. Gen
eral Miles believes exactly this, and has said so
in strong words. small handful of Indian
employees here affirm it vehemently.
Before the terrific clash comes they want to
try and rescue their relatives from the enemy.s
camp, and are now intereeding with the au-
thorities for permission, at the risk of their
lives, TO make the attempt. Those Indians in
the Government employ also express the hope
that they can induce many of those who were
friendly before the Wounded Knee battle, and
were remaining here according 10 instructions,
also to come in and be saved from the certain
annihilation that awaits them within the ranks
OF the hostiles.
Extensive rife-pits, are reported being dug
twelve miles west OF here by the hostiles, and
the report is of such nature that the authori-
ties may rely upon It's truthtulness.
Last night the hostiles burned many houses
belonging 10 the settlers along the White river
and finished killing the last remnant OF the
great herd of Government cattle that they raid.
ed so heavily about month ago and have been
drawing on ever since. Without desiring to
ally is, for God knows the truth is bad enough,
everything const-ains me to Say that the
danger in which the Pine Ridge agency and
the white populace stand at this hour and must
remain until this crisis is all over is one of the
most fearful peril that can be imagined and
say this, not for the moment forgetting, but
rather knowing prefectly. just what military
protection we have here. Since General Miles
arrived he has received most urgent admoni-
tions from the administration to avoid further
bloodshed. Further bloodshed cannot be
avoided"
NOBLE on THE SITUATION.
WASHINGTON. January 4th-Secretary Noble
was questioned to-day as to what action had
been taken on the recommendation of General
Miles that the indian agents of South Dakota
agencies be relieved from further duty and
that their places be filed by military officers
The Secretary said he did not care to discuss
the matter further than to say the subject had
not been mentioned to him by any one with
authority to act in the matter.
1t is believed, however, that should General
Miles recommendation be submitted to him by
the President for his views the Secretary would
strongly oppose the transfer. The Secretary
spoke with some earnestness of the report that
has been in circulation recently to the effect
that The Indians were in starving condition
and that the pending trouble grew out of the
fact that the Government had not kept its agree
ment with the Sioux, but on the contrary, had
already begun to cut down rations in violation
of all treaty obligations The Secretary de-
nounced these statements as unqualifiedly false,
The story of starvation among the Sioux was
pure fabrication. For ten long years the Gov
ernment, in the fulfillment of lis treaty obliga-
tions, had been feeding the Sioux in idleness.
Some of them, however, were thrifty farmers
and good citizens, but the majority were a
thriftless and indolent set, perfectly willing to
spend their time in idleness and finding fault
with the Government on every conceivable pre-
text.
The treaty of 1877, the Secretary said, obliged
the Government TO furnish them with certain
amount of food, clothing, implements, horses,
" Sh Al lFr,,,
porting. After ten years had elapsed. during
which time the Government spent millions of
dollars with the view Of placing the Indians on
a self-supporting basis, Members of Congress
very properly began TO inquire whether it was
the purpose of the Government to continue in
definitely and forever the policy OF feeding In
dians who persisted in living in idleness.
They thought it about time to test their ability
to support themselves, and the appropriation
was reduced co. o00-not a very large sum
compared with the amount usually called for.
Tnerfup0n Mr.. Indian Immediately began to
complain, but made no effort toward feeding
himself He occupied a vast territory contain
ing thousands of acres Of productive land. He
was supplied with everything necessary to i'm
prove it and raise good crops but preferred to do
nothing and let the Government put food into
his mouth.
1t was time, the Secretary thought, that these
people should be compelled to do something.
and he had lost patience with those who uphold
the Indians in their idleness. He sincerely re-
gretted that the recent action of the military
himself that his Department was in no sense
responsible for it.
COLONEL FoRsYTHE REMOVED.
WASHINGTON, January 5th.-The report of the
relief of Colonel Forsythe of the command of
the Seventh Cavalry by General Miles is con-
firmed at the War Department to-day.
General Schofield said at has been sllg-
gested by a person whom l cannot mention
that it would be well to look into the matter of
the fight at Wounded Knee Creek the other day,
inasmuch as the reports state that several In
dian women and children were killed Accord
ingly, General Miles, at a suggestion from here
relieved Colonel Forsythe. of his command,
pending the investigation of the circumstances
in that fight, which investigation is probably
now being conducted by General Miles. The
general management of the fight is also to be
looked into, but the particular point in question
is thesdeath of the women and children"
Considerable criticism against Colonel For
sythe's suspension is heard in the War Depart
ment. 1t seems to be directed against the policy
OF relieving an officer during the progress of
campaign, instead of waiting until after the
trouble is settled. As to the charge that Col
onel Forsythe allowed his men to kill women
and children, it is stated that il would be i'm
possible in the hurry and confusion of an unex-
pected fight and the subsequent stampede and
pursuit. to detect the sex of the Sioux.
One officer remarked: at is preposterous to
say that it is necessary in an Indian skrnaish to
stop firing long enough to find out just what
sort OF an Indian you are shooting at. Women
and men look very much alike in their blanket
fighters as the men.
'fThe Sioux squaw is as bad an enemy as the
buck at times. Little boys, too, can shoot quite
as well as their fathers, and what q spectacle il
would be for a soldier on seeing I0-year-old
boy pointing loaded gun at him, with as true
an aim as the best marksmen in 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 to be just as bad as the events
~
officer with an independent command had not
only an enemy in front OF him, but court
martial behind him"
Still another officer said it was grave error
to order the relief of Colonel Forsythe at this
stage of the proceedings, and thus hold up
warning finger to every Colonel in the little
army around Pine Ridge, to tell them that the
death OF each Sioux must be explained.
MORGAN IS WILLING.
WASHINGTON, January 5th.-General Morgan,
Commissioner of Indian Affairs, says he is ready
to go to Dakota to treat with the Indians if the
President and Secretary of the Interior desires
him to do SO.
GENERAL MILES REPORTED KILLED.
CHICAGO, January 5th.-A special dispatch
from st. Paul, TO a morning paper, says that
telegram received in that city reports that Cen
eral Miles was killed in a battle with the In
dians. Captain Huggins the acting assistant
quarters in this city has heard no news in re-
gard to the killing of General Miles. He does
not credit the report. A dispatch from Gordon,
Neb., received this morning, says that rumor
is current there that General Miles is killed,
but the report is unfounded.
PROBABLY A cASARD.
WASHINGTON, January 5th-A dispatch re-
ceived by General Schofeld from General Miles
at 6S5 this evening indicates that there has
been no battle with the Indians yesterday
This was the latest dispatch received up to
midnight.
THE ARAPAHoEs AND cHEYENNEs.
KANSAS CITY, January 5th.-An Associated
Press correspondent at Guthrie Oklahoma, has
teiegraphed about the situation among the In
diaps. He says the news of Sitting Bulls DEATH
and the fight al Wounded Knee tnoether With