New-York tribune., 1892-01-11
INDIANS As AMERICAN SOLDIERS.

At first sight it seems somewhat Iemarkaole
that the project of enliSting Indians as SoiuicrS
in tho American Army had not occurred 10 inc
Government earlier Their magnificent ability
TO fight had been 50 often and so cHeDF I'M
pressed on us that it seems a wonder we should
have 50 long pfraincd from the effort to nnn
if 70 our advantage rather than leave it arrayed
forever agains5 us. From the earliest times al
liances with the Indians have been frequent ana,
in the old days horribly effective II we had
adopted. say at the beginning OF this century an
enlightened and helpful policy toward these
savage but gallant creatures among the iohg
list of good results that would have followed GER
iainly the development Of the idea OF oTganl2a-
ton would have been one Without than ldea'
Of course, tho Indian can never become sodiiT'
no matter what may be the sum of his valor'
lie might kill ingenousy and enthusiastically,
but he could never cooperate with white men
in a single military manocuvre. AS things have
gone. to our own fault and shame largely, 1t Is
doubtful whether until recently the Indians con-
ception of organization and It's uses had become
largo and true enough to render his absorption
into the service possible.
The experiments that have been made during
the last twelve months however, are most en-
couraging. 1t is impossible as yet to pronoun"
them a complete success. They must be tested
by actual experience on tho fed of battle. But
this is ccrtain-that the seven companies now
actually organized drill well, look well, obey
with precism and uniformity, understand what
they arc told and act with Intelligence prompt
ness and zeal. The men arc picked ana con-
s,iute tho flower Of tho agencies from which thcy
are chosen. They takc great pride in their work
They apply themselves industrously to IN"
mastering of every detail Of their duty. They
npprcciatc their opportunity, and manifest every
sicn of LOYALTY, interest and courage. Their en-
durance is simply wonderful, and, if half that Is
promscd by these conditions is realized when
they are called upon to act against an enemy, they
will deserve TO be accounted useful and I'M
portant clement of the service.
But it must bo remembered that those VINO
know the Indian who have lived with him and
have seen him fight entertain different opinions
As to his courage. All admit that he fights Al
times like Il demon, that he takes al manner oi
i.kS, and that he possesses wonderful command
over his intellectual facdldc, when III actual
strife. But they differ as to whether tins pIo-
cecds from moral courage and accompanies an
intelligent perception Of danger, or whether =
results mainly from superstition. Many say that
tho Indian is not brave at all, that ho canno7
be persuaded to stand up in tho face oi danger
which he really recognizes. They say that he
easily works himself by religious dances and
medicines" into a sort Of frenzy which prompts
him to undertake the most hazardous enterprise 3
without materially affecting his natural cunning
that his artfuness is mistaken for cOol-headcd
Judgment and his insane dlSrca of bullets
for valor. He is brave, they say, only because
he rdligiously believes the bullets will not strike
him. or if they do, that they Will merely trans
late him into another and more agreeable con-
dition whence he will presently return buLct-
proof and unconquerable. If this Is the true
view Of tho Indians character. how he will be-
have under fire as an orderly and disciplined
soldier is an open question. The PROMISE he gives
however, more than justiiies tho departure which
has brought his recognized talent into the Ma
tion1l service.