The Dawson news. (Dawson, Ga.) 1889-current, 1897-06-09
WERE BAD SOLDIERS.
IA WORE RED MEN WILL SERVE
THE ARMY,

ro Teach 10 Military Tactics.
vngardgr from the government disband-
,rr The Indian cavalry troop at Fort Sill,
r. which went into effect May 81, that
,o more Indians shall be enlisted as SOL
l;,,s in the United States army, recalls
tr first official experiment conceived and
aorr,ed into practical use by Lieutenant
Casav Of the Twenty second infantry, then
stationed at Fort Keogh.
This was in 1899, when trouble with
the Indians who were engaging in ghost
dances and expecting their Messiah was
imminent. Lieutenant Casey went to
Washington and laid the matter before our
rrpsent senator, Mr.. Proctor who at that
time was secretary of war. He was i'm
messed with Caseys project which was
70 make soldiers of the Indians, enlis6ing
them regularly and giving them dis
tinctive drill and uniform and forming
Them into companies in the regular serv-
ice. and as just at that time the Iegi-
ments Of the infantry and cavalry had
bpen reduced two companies he gave an
order that one company of Indians should
he enlisted and attached to nearly all
those regiments. The purpose was not
only to add to the efficiency of the army
by this movement, but to improve the
ambition of the Indians by permitting
+bem-as far as was BRkcticable-tO have
their families with them in camp and to in
sruct them in modern customs and in the
Methods Of civilization.
1t was only an experiment, and it re-
suited in failure in both purposes for
which the men were enlisted. 1t should
be added, however, that the plan carried
out by Secretary Proctor was not in line
with that formulated by Lieutenant Casey,
WhO desired to organize force of young
braves with conspicuous uniforms, and
well mounted as an irregular force, some
thing after the methods of the Russian
Cossachs. He was given the privilege of
trying the Endorsed plan and the Indian
soldiers organized and commanded by him
performed good service and We're found
faithful and efficient in the ensuing war
ot the Sioux, where Casey lost his life
while scouting with some of his soldiers
In the vicinity of Pine Ridge
After Caseys death his Indian company
was attached to the Eighth cavalry regi-
ment rs Casey's Scouts"
When the Indian companies that had
been organized had been in service for a
period of about two years, it was discOv-
cred that they had become restless and I'M
easy under the discipline of army life and
dissatisfied with their confinement in gar
TisOn, and as they knew only the few
words Of English comprised in their mill
tary drill they could not be reasoned with
or pacifed; consequently they could not
be placed upon any military duty of guard,
fatigue or any kind of post service, and,
suffering from idleness, they proved of no
value either to themselves or the govern
ment Besides this, the Indian in civiliza-
ton becomes, as is well known, addicted
to drunkenness, and their downfall as "a
part Of the United States army was large
ly due to that cause. The first trouble
that attracted attention was with COM
lany of Indian soldiers that was stationed
at Fort Yates, n d., attached to the
Twenty second infantry, who, by reason
OF their opportunities for procuring liquor,
furnished it without stint to the Indians
Of the reservat ton with whom they were
associated. These Indians thus proved a
deuoralizing clement to the whole COM
mand, as we'll as to their own people, and
the order was given that they be dis
banded.
soon after this company was mustered
out there were two other companies that
gave similar trouble and were promptly
dlsbanded, and it was decided by the au-
thulltlCs at Washington that, as an expert
ment, the Indian enlisted soldier, after a
sufficient trial, had proved failure, and
mat these unintelligent and useless In
ulans cost the government just al much as
Il not more than the same number OF in
tIHgent white men, and that it was con-
Sloered best to discontinue the enlistment
of Indians
instructions were then given, as the
Terms OF those who were in service expired
10 enlist others, and that all the Indians
'heh IN service who asked to be discharged
CouId go. Under this order nearly the en-
IHe force left the army, and for the last
o"o years only one company has been re-
'oli'eu' rms company was Troop l., Sew
''n cavalry, stationed at Fort Sill, l. T.,
a., "arse OF the Apache prisoners of war
at that post
n Jew months since the officer who is in
nolee OF those Indian prisoners of war
Nv vne troop of cavalry made an appliCa-
rnjt W nave the troop disbanded, to per-
,riso I'm 70 organize police force for the
+ba,l,nsIS from the ranks of the prisoners
and tba % ms application was granted,
of r|no,I l"S' indian soldier in the service
Of Nav I,,Sl9 sam was discharged on the 31st
indians uoeS not mean however, that the
farv d,'tS' io entirely withdrawn from mill
tborrb - !" the United States army, al
dierO T[y may not enlist as regular sol
the any, J"Uer the law there is authorized
loon GAtt ~ It of a force, not to exceed
sb oJV' 10 De used as Indian scouts, who
as tho ' Ci1. IN what is technically known
force % indian country" But whatever
decroa1o scouts may be employed it must
rol.IAee Dy a corresponding number the