Year: 1879

as to the Commissioner of Indian Affairs, here
with attached, that they too support me in
this conclusion. Then, with all these facts
before us, and to the best of my belief in the
possession Of the Indian Bureau, what was the
object of challenging the conclusions in my
report, and giving the letter to the public be-
! tary Of Msr, to whom It was addressedl Sure
ly the officers who guard the agencies, and
who are held responsible for the protection of
the lives and property of the settlers, should
causes OF troubles without danger of being
lectured into silence by the Honorable Secre-
tary of the Interior.


Let us now come down to the matter of the
removal Of the Red Cloud and Spotted Tail
Indians, and their return to points further
west last fall. In reference to this matter
made no accusations against the Indian Bu
reau. l simply stated: ~ had hoped that
the agencies Of these Indians (Red Cloud and
spotted taiD would have been retained on the


Missouri River, where they could have been
fed and looked after at comparatively small
expense" but this would not have suited the
traders and contractors, who feared labored
systematically last summer and fall to work
up the result which has been obtained, and


now these Indians are on worse ground than


the Missouri River bottom, and located at
points beyond the river lines of transperta-
tion-for instance Red Clouds band, where
the expense Of feeding will be probably five
times as great as on the Missouri River. In
addition, these Indians are now located near
the line Of travel to the Black Hills, and one
on the extreme Western limit of their reser-
walton, and where contact with whites is liable
frequently to occur, and l doubt IL in the
present frame Of mind of the Red Cloud In
dams the two races can live so closely to-
gether without fighting. This does not charge
anything on the Indian Bureau, so that it Will
be seen that again the honorable Secretary
puts charge into my mouth which never
made and gives them to the public in the
same way.


The General urges again, as in his annual
report, that the removal of these Indians was
unwise, quotes letters from Gen. Crook in sup
port OF this view, and continues: l did not
say that the Indian Bureau ad anything to do
with it. and l utterly disclaim any intention of
criticising the action Of His Excellency, the
In my report only expressed my regret at
what had happened. 1t Is not strange, when
We consider the inadequacy of our military
force, that should, in common with other
officers, call attention to circumstances like
these that are liable to involve trouble and
disaster. Before closing this communication
l desire to call the attention of the General of
the Army to that portion of Lieut.. Lees report
which plainly shows that the figures made in
Washington Of supplies sent to agencies may
ceived, and which may account for the dis
crepancy in the reports of the Commissioner
Of Indian Affairs and the report of Major j.
X. Mizner, at the Southern Cheyenne Agency,
and that of Capt. A. II. Bainbridge, at the
Fort Hall Agency.


In conclusion desire to say that in nv an
nual report and in this report my only object
has been to speak in the interest of the In
dians, and In the best interest of the life,
property and development ON the frontier; of
the lives of officers and soldiers, and the best
economy In administration OF my command.


A large amount of documentary evidence is
submitted with the report, the substance of
which is referred to above.