The critic. (Washington, D.C.) 1890-1891, 1891-01-14
Interference from Washington.

RON tHe NctD YORK sun. BEL.
\ letter has been received in this city
from the Pine Ridge Agency, which de-
clares that many of the statements pub
lshod in some Of thenewspapers concern
ing the situation there are absolutely and
wholly false The writer of this letter
says that the Army is hampered in its
work by Washington orders and inter.
ference and that General Miles, though
on the ground and informed regarding
the actual state of affairs, Is being di
rectcd in his work by the President. This
may be all right from the sentimental
standpoint but the officers and soldiers
who are facing the rigors of the winter on
the plains, and the trcachcrous foe with
whom they have to deal, at one and the
same time, would like to see different
state Of things.
On New Years Day, in fearful bliz-
zard, cavalry detachment had severe
fight in which number of Indians were
killed and lot q ponies We're captured.
The troops were in their saddles all day.
Many of the men had their faces much
cut and gashed with slcet, and others,
with their horses, were injured by falls
into holes which the snow hid from sight.
For forty-cight hours the men had not
time to eat, and were without water.
Their sufferings were intense, while the
Indians We're fighting In comparative
comfort, clad in skins, and retiring when
tired to their holes, which were protected
and comfortable, and inaccessible to
horsemen Many of the officers and sol
diers are choked up with colds and
coughs, and all have more or less frost
bites to look after.
General Miles has orders from the Pres
ident to settle the trouble without blood
shed, and the soldiers are kept from bring
ing on u fight when they are best prepared
to do effective work.
zone thing is certain" says the writer,
General Miles is not anxious to stay In
the field under the circumstances and he
will bring on fight If unconditional sur
render is not made, and when the battle
occurs il will be fought with fury by the
weary and eXaspcrated troops, who are
living in tents and without the necessities
Of life, and are-though in the field, and
ostcnsibly there to fight the savages--com-
PEELED to remain inactive and on the de-
fensive, when a prompt and decisive bat
tie would settle the trouble. One cannot
be among the officers and soldiers now in
Dakota in the field without hearing out
SPOKEN condemnation of the policy of
peace when there is no peace, or even
safety, except i'll eternal vigilance. II is
all very well to call the Indians the wards
of the nation, but the fact remains that
they are wild savagcs, and are not ami
mated by any other motives than those
that characterize savages who are bent on
blCCdshed.
"The fate of Casey would be the fate of
every officer here If the redskins get like
chance. Casey had reason to believe that
lie was known and well liked by the In
dams, because he had worked so faith
fully in their interests, and he has been
murdered in cold blood while relying upon
them. There will be no more murders
like Caseys, or butchcries like Wallaces;
not soldier here will forget the fate of
these two officers, and if they fight it will
be with stern determination to show the
officials at Washington that they under
stand the Indian nature and are best fitted
10 deal with Indians ~