Year: 1868

His Policy Towards the SaVRges on the


Plains.


A correspondent from the Plains writes as


General sheridan's policy seems to he to
wait until all these tribes are fully settled In
their winter quarters, then move upon them
In their lodges, destroy everything they have II
left, force them to live on reservations below
the Arkansas, which may be set apart for them


"For the accomplishment of this end, all or
nearly all the troops are cavalry, well supplied
with large number of extra horses, so as to
follow up whenever an attack is made. The
movement of troops has been going ON during
the past week toward Fort Dodge, General
Sheridan goirg on to take command in the
field Their Ge,tinafion will he most likely
near the Sand Plains south of the Arkansas.
making this base of supplies, then attacking
the Tribes collected together.


"If we have troops sufficient to keep the In,
dians from making raids North, and can
destroy their lodges and supplies, keep between
them and IT, e buffaloes now moving Soutn, the
Indian troubles will soon cease; but il those
wary warriors can draw out our forces at diff.
ierenJ points, pass by In small bands and come
North, where we have but small bodies of
troops and attack stations on the road before
they can be checked. then this winter Will be
exciting on the Plains. We have this hope
that the Indians cannot fight well In winter
except when they can find plenty of forage,
and they have TO stop quite q portion of time
for that purpose this season. while our cavalry
can move right along, being fully supplied.


ITO some 1t may seem that General Sheridan
has not enough troops to successfully meet
these combined tribes and defeat them, but we
must remember that Sheridan has been on the
Plains, that he fully understands Indian fight
ing, ana will be on the ground himself, and has
the best outfit ever sent against the Western
tribes. With the idea Of the annihilatiOn of
these warning marauders, unless they give up,
an idea which is now gaining strength in the
East; policy of war and not of swindling In
dian contracts, of permanent peace instead of
annual peace pipes and annual slaughters fol-
lowing them; with such plans we may hope for
the safety of the frontier ard the completion of
our railway system, and until this does come
none of the people of the West have any hope
whatever.


General Sheridan and staff left Fort Hayes
this morning, and will reach the last detach-
ment this evening at or near Walnut creek.
He will move down to the Indian country i'm
med diat ely, but 1t will probably be two or three
weeks before active operations can be made.
Then we may looE for some severe fighting as
the Indians always fight for their lodges


II met General Sheridan at MS quarters last
evening, and spent a very pleasant hour. He
speaks frankly about political matters aud said
he was agreeaoly surprised at the result in Mis-
souri,, he having feared the Renel element in
our State would cause trouble. OF New Orleans
matters and the result in the State, he said 1t
was just what he expected, he evidently not
having great deal of faith in the present Exc
cutive of that STATE. Ofthe Indian expedition,
he said he was going with it himself, SO that he
could better tell what the men could endure,
and If he could stay in the field the troops
m