The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1891-11-28
RED WARRIORS.
Their Introduction to the United
States Cavalry.
They Adapt Themselves Readily to the
Ways Of the Troops.
Good Clothes, Food and Treatment Go
Well with the Untutored Savages-
So Far the Experiment Has
Been Very Successful.

WASHINGTON, Nov. 23-In March last
q general order was issued authorizing
the enlistment of one company of In
dians for each of the twenty six regi-
ments of cavalry and infantry serving
west of the Mississippi river, writes
Secretary of War Proctor in this annual
report This action was taken after
careful inquiry into the conduct in the
past of Indian scouts and police em-
ployed in a military or quasi military
capacity.
the experiment, in my Judgment, was
to give employment, in useful and
legitimate channels, to considerable
number of Indians of the warlike
tribes. Having been deprived, by the
extinction of game, of both employ
ment and means of subsistence, they
can not be changed at once from nomads
TO quiet and successful farmers. Incl
dentally it was hoped that the habits
of obedience cleanliness and punctual-
ity, as we'll as Of steady labor in the
performance of both military and in
dustrial work inculated by service in
the army, would have good effect on
those who might enlist, and also fur
nish an object lesson of some value and
exert healthy influence upon others
| of their tribes.
| 1t was not deemed advisable to urge
Indians into the service hastily, and
special efforts have been made to in
form them of the responsibilities they
would incur, and the duties that would
| be required of them as soldiers. The
results have been very satisfactory.
Seven companies, three of cavalry and
four of infantry, have been recruited to
their full complement, and seven others
partially, and the reports indicate that
the organization of these will be COM
pleted at an early day have had an
opportunity to personally inspect some
of these Indian cavalry troops, and
have received full reports showing the
condition of others. In good conduct
drill and military bearing, attention I'd
duty, observance of courtesies and care
of horses, arms and equipment, cloth
ing, barracks, mess-rooms and kitch'
ems, they are at least equal to soldiers
of other races of no greater experience.
For example, Troop L. of the First
cavalry, recruited from the Crow tribe,
though none of its members had had
more than five months service, fur
uished as early as Septembe r IA last its
full quota of fnon-commissionedo officers,
trumpeters, and privates for guard,
fatigue and other post duties; an on
recent two weeks practice march of
the command to which it belongs dem
onstrated its capacity for the perform
ance of the various duties of the expe-
dition. The colonel of the First cav
airy recognizes that the men of this
troop possess in a high degree the char
acteristics and traits essential in light
cavalry, and considers them valuable
acquisition to his regiment Satisfac-
tory reports have also been received of
the progress of the Indian infantry
companies.
Nothing unfavorable has been brought
to the attention of the department re-
garding the utility as military organi-
cations of the Indian companies of
either arm, but so far there is every
reason to believe that much more than
was expected of the experiment will be
realized, They are treated in all re-
spects like other soldiers, and the same
duties are required of them They are
dressed the same, fed the same taught
to cook and eat their food in the same
manner, and in every respect they strive
earnestly to equal, and, if possible, out
do their white comrades. All COM
mands are given in English, and though
few of them understand the language
they learn the sound of their orders
quickly and make rapid progress in
drill
Some of the companies, which have
only been enlisted for three or four
months would make a credita BILE ap-
pearance at any encampment or review.
When it is considered that only short
time ago many of these Indian soldiers
were blanket Indians" that few of
them ever had on a suit of clothes,
slept under roof, ate at table, used
knife and fork, wore shoes, or had
| their hair cut, the transformation is in
deed remarkable
/ The habit for few years of wearing
good clothes, eating good food well
, cooked by themselves, and living in
t clean and comfortable quarters, and
= the lesson that these comforts are earn
= ed by their own good conduct, will not
: be entirely lost upon men of any race
/ or color.