University of Oklahoma College of LawUniversity of Oklahoma College of Law Digital CommonsAmerican Indian and Alaskan Native Documents in the Congressional Serial Set: 1817-18997-18-1876Military expedition against the Sioux IndiansFollow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.law.ou.edu/indianserialsetPart of the Indian and Aboriginal Law CommonsThis House Executive Document is brought to you for free and open access by University of Oklahoma College of Law Digital Commons. It has beenaccepted for inclusion in American Indian and Alaskan Native Documents in the Congressional Serial Set: 1817-1899 by an authorized administratorof University of Oklahoma College of Law Digital Commons. For more information, please contact darinfox@ou.edu.Recommended CitationH.R. Exec. Doc. No. 184, 44th Cong., 1st Sess. (1876)44TH CoNGRESS,} HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. { Ex. Doc. 1st Session. No. 184. MILITARY EXPEDITION AGAINST THE SIOUX INDIANS. JuLY 15, 1876.-Referred to the Committee on Military Affairs. JULY 18, 1876.-Recommitted to the Committee on Military Affairs and ordered to be printed. MILITARY EXPEDI1'ION AGAINST 'l'HE INDIANS. Mr. BANNING. I ask unanimous consent to submit for adoption now the following resolution: Resolved, That the Secretary of War be, and be is hereby, directed to report to the Honse the object of the military expeditions under Gen-erals Urook, Gibbon, and Terry, now operating against the Northwest In-dians, and the circumstances leading to their necessity, with copies of all correspondence bearing upon tbe origin of the expedition; also copies of all military orders issued by the War Department directing these expe-ditions under Generals Terry, Crook, and Gibbon. WAR DEPARTMENT, Washington City, July 14, 1876. SIR: In response to a resolution of the House of Representatives of tbe lOth instant, I have the honor to send herewith to the Speaker a report and accompanying papers made to the President of the United States, showing the object of the present military operations against the Sioux and other Northwestern Indians, and the circumstances tend-ing to the necessity of the operations. The copies of papers accompanying give all the information on file as to the orders issued by the War Department directing these expeditions. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, J. D. CAMERON, Secretary of War. The SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRFSEN'l'ATIVES. COMMUNICATTON, JULY 8, 1876, AND INCLOSURE, FROM SECRETARY OF WAR TO PRESIDENT UNITED STATES, IN RESPONSE TO SENATE RES-OLUTION OF JULY 7, Ul76. Official: ADJUTAN'l'-G ENERAL'S OFFICE, Washington, July 15, 1876. E. D. TOWNSEND, Adjutcmt-General. 2 MILITARY EXPEDITION AGAINST THE SIOUX INDIANS. To the PRESIDENT : WAR DEP.ARTMEN'l', Washington, July 8, 1876. - To enable you to answer the inclosed resolution of the Senate of July 7, I have the honor to submit the following brief statement of facts as exhibited by the records of this Department: The Sioux or Dakota Nation of Indians, embracing various tribes, as the Yanktons, Yanctonnais, Bruies, Ogallallas, Minneconjoux, Sans Arcs, Two Kettles, &c., have long been known as the most brave and warlike savages of this continent. They have for centuries been pushed west-ward by the advancing tide of civilization, till in 1868 au arrangement or treaty was made with them, by a special commission named by Con-gress, whereby for eertain payments and stipulations they agreed to surrender their claim to all that vast region which lies west of the Mis-souri River and north of the Platte, to live at peace with their neigh-bors, and to restrict themselves to a territory bounded east by the Mi:-\-souri River~ south by Nebraska, west by the one hundred and fourth meridian, and north by the forty-sixth parallel, a territory as large as the State of Missouri. The terms of this trt:)aty have been literally per-formed on the part of the United States, and have also been complied with by the great mass of the Sioux Indians. Some of these Indians, however, have never recognized the binding force of tl1is treaty, but have always treated it with contempt; have continued to rove at pleas-ure, attacking scattered settlements in Nebraska, W.voming, Montana, and Dakota, stealing horses and cattle, and murdering peaceful inhabi tants and travelers. On the 9th of November, 1875, United States Indian Inspector E. C. Watkins made an elaborate report to the Commissioner of Indian Affairs, in which he uses this language: "I have the honor to adllress you in relation to the attitude and con-dition of certain wild and hostile bands of Sioux Indians in Dakota and Montana, that came under my observation during my recent tour through thPir country, and what I think should be the policy of the Government toward thew. I refer to Sitting Bnll's band, and other bands of the Sioux Nation under chiefs or head-men of less note, but no less untamable and hostile. These Indians occup,y the center, su to speak, and roam O\'er \Vestern Dakota and Eastern Montana, including the rich valleys of the Yellowstone and Powdrr River, and make war on the Arickarees, Mandans, Gros Ventres, Assinaboines, Blackfeet, Piegans, Crows, and other friendly tribes on tl1e circumference. "From their central position they strike to the east, north, and west, steal horses and plunder from all the surrounding tribes as well as frontier settlers and luckless white hunters, or emigrants who are not in sufficient force to resist them.". After describing at great length their character and supposed num-bers, given at a few hundred, he says: •' The true policy, in my judg-ment, is to send troops against them in the winter, the sooner the better, and whip them into subjection. They richly merit punishment for their incessant warfare, and their nnmerou~ murders of white settlers and their families, or white men wherever founrl unarmed." The force esti-mated as necessar.r to whip them was one thousand men. This communication was snbmitted bv the Commissioner of Indian Affairs, Hon. Edward P. Smith, to the ho~norable Secretary of the Inte-rior, Z. Chandler, who in turn submitted it to the theu s~cretary of War, General Belknap, for his "consideration and action." In a subsequent communication of the Secretary of the Interior, of MILITARY EXPEDITION AGAINST 'fHE SIOUX INDIANS. 3 December 3, 1875, to the Secretary of War, occurs this language: ''I have the honor to inform you that I have this day directed the Com-missioner of Indian Affairs to notify said Indians (Sitting Bull and others outside their res~rvation) that they must remov~ to the resenra-tion before the 31st day of January, 1876; that if they neglect or refuse so to remove, that they will be reported to the War Department as hos-tile Indians, and that a military force will be sent to compel them to obe:v the orders of the Indian Office.:' On the 1st da~~ of February, the Secretary of the Interior further notified the Secretary of War, "The time given him (Sitting Bull) in which to return to an agency hadng expired, and the advices received at the Indian Office being to the effect that Sitting Bull still refuses to comply with the directions of the Commissioner, the said Indians are hereby turned over to the War Department for such action on the part of the Army as ,YOU may deem proper under the circumstances." During all the stageR of this eorrespondence, the General of the Army and his subordinate commanders were duly notified, and were making preparations for striking a. blow at these hostile savages, an enterprise of almo~t insurmountable difficulty in a country where, in winter, the thermometer ofteu falls to 400 below zero, and where it is impossible to procure food for man or beast. An expedition was fitted out under the personal command of Brig_ Gen. George Crook, an officer of great merit and experience, which, in March last, marched from Forts Fetterman and Laramie to the Powder River atJd Yellowstone Valleys, struck and destroyed the village of Crazy Horse, one of the hostile banos referred to by Indian Inspector Watkins, but the weather was found so bitter cold, and other difficulties so great arose, that General Urook returned to Fort Laramie in a measure unsuccessful so far as the main purpose was concerned. These Indians occupy parts of the Departments of Dakota and Platte, commanded by Brigadier-Generals Terry and Crook, respectively, bnt the whole is immediately commanded by Lieutenant-General :Sheridan, who bas given the matter his special attention. Pre-parations were then made on a larger scale, and three columns were put. in motion as early in May as possible: from Fort Abraham Lincoln on the Missouri River under General Terry; from Fort Ellis in Montana under General Gibbon; and from Fort Fetterman under General Crook. These columns were as strong as could be maintained in that inhospita-ble region, or could be spared from other pressing necessities, and their operations are not yet cone] uded nor is a more detailed report deemed necessary to explain the subject-matter of this inquiry. The present military operations are not against the Sioux Nation at all, but. against certain hostile parts of it whieh defy the Government, and are undertaken at the special request of that bureau of the Gov-ernment char~ed with their supervision, and wholly to make the civili-zation of the remainder possible. No part of these operations is on or near the :Sioux reservation. Tht> accidental discovery of gold on the westt>rn border of the Sioux re:servation, and the intrusion of our people tht>reon, have not caused thi1-1 war, and have onl_y complicated it by the uucertainty of uum bers to be encountered. 'rhe young warriors Ion~ war and freqnently escape their agents to go on the hunt or war-path, their only idea of the object of life. The object of these military expeditiouH was in the interest of the peaceful parts of the Sioux Nation, supposed to embrace at least nine-tenths of the whole, au'l not one of these pPaceful or treaty Indians has been molested b.Y the military authorities. The recent reports touching the disaster which befell a part of the 4 MILITARY EXPEDITION AGAINST THE SIOUX INDIANS. Seventh Regular Cavalry, led by General Ouster in person, are believed to be true. For some reason as yet unexplained, General Ouster, who commanded the Seventh Cavalry, and bad been detached by his com-mander, General Terry, at the mouth of Rosebud to make a wide detour up the Rosebud, a tributary to the Yellowstone, across to the Little Horn and down to the mouth of Big Horn, the place agreed on for meet-iug, attacked en 'route a large Indian village with only a part of his force, baYing himself detached the rest with a view to intercept the ex-pected retreat ot' the savages, and experienced an utter annihilation of his immediate command. The force of Generals Terry and Gibbon reached the field of battle the next day, rescued fifty-two wounded men and buried two hundred and sixty-one dead men, including Lieut. Col. George A. Ouster, Captains Custer, Keogh, Yates; Lieutenants Cook, Smith, Mcintosh, Calhoun, Hodgson, Reilly, Porter, Sturgis. all of the Seventh Cavalry; and Lieutenant Crittenden, of the Twentieth Infantry, Lieutenant Harrington, Assistant Surgeon Lord, and Acting Assistant Surgeon De Wolff are missing. The wounded were carried back to the mouth of the Big Horn in the Yellowstone Hiver, which is navigable, and where there were two steam-boats, one of which was sent down the river, to Fort Abe Lincolu, with the wounded and to communicate these sad facts. General Terry is, therefore, at the mout.h of tlJe Big Horn refitting, and will promptly recei\'e re-enforcements and supplies, and will resume his operations immediately. Meantm)e General Crook had also advanced from Fort Fetterman, and on the 17th of June, eight days before General Custer's attack, had en-countered this same force of warriors on the head of the Rosebud, with whom be fought several hours, driving the Indians from the field, losing nine men in killed; one officer and twenty men wounded. General Crook reports his camp as on rrongue River, Wyoming. Re-enforcements and supplies are also en route to him, and every possible means have been adopted to accomplish a concert of action between these two forces, which are necessarily separated, and a:re only able to communicate by immense distances around by their rear. The task committed to the military authorities is one of unusual dif-ficulty; has been anticipated for years, and must be met and accom-plished. It can no longer be delayed, and everything will be done by the Department to insure success, which is necessary to give even an assurance of comparative safety to the important but scattered inter-ests which have grown up in that remote a'nd almost inaccessible por-tion of our national domain. It is again earnestly recommended that the appropriation asked for repeatedly by General Sheridan, of $200,000, be made, to build two posts on the Yellowstone at or near the mouths of the Big Horn and Tongue Rivers. · Inclosed herewith please find copies of General Terry's report, just received by telegraph, since the preparation of this letter. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, J. D. CAMERON. Secretary of ·lVar. MILITARY EXPEDITION AGAINST THE SIOUX INDIAN~. 5 [Copy telegram.] CHICAGO, ILL., July 8, 1876. To ADJUTANT-GENERAL U. S. ARMY, VfTashington, D. C. : The following is a copy of General Terry's report of action of June 25th: "CAMP ON LITTLE BIG HORN RIVER, June 27. "To ADJUTANT-GENERAL OF MILITARY "DIVISION OF 'l'HE MISSOURI, . "Chicago, Ill.: "It is my painful. duty to report that day before yesterday, the 25th instant, a great disaster overtook General Custer and tl.le troops under his command. At 12 o'clock of the 22d he started with his whole regiment and a strong detachment of scouts and guides from the mouth of the Rosebud. Proceeding up that river about; twenty miles he struck a very heavy Indian trail, which had previously been dis-covered, and pursuing it found that it led, as it was supposed that it would lead, to tlle Little Big Horn River. Here he found a village of almost unexampled extent and at once attacked it with that portion of his force which was immediately at hand Major Reno, with three companies, A, G, and M, of the regiment, was sent into the valley of the stream at the point whert~ the trail struck it. General Ouster, with five companies, 0, E, F, I, and f1, attempted to enter it about three miles lower down. Reno forded the river, charged down its left bank, dismounted, and fought on foot until finally, completely overwhelmed by numbers, he was compelled tq mount, recross the river, and seek a refuge on the high bluff which overlooked its right bank. Just as he recrm~sed, Captain Benteen, who, with three companies, D, H, and K, was some two miles to the left of Reno when the action commenced, but who had been ordered by General Custer to return, came to the river, and rightly concluding that it was useless for his force to attempt to renew the fight in valley, he joined Reno ou the bluff's. Uaptain McDougall with his company (B) was at first at some distance in the rear with a train of pack-mules. He also come up to Reno. Soon this united force was nearly surrounded by Indians, many of whom, armed with rifles, occupied posi-tions which commanded the ground held by the cavalry-ground from which there was no escape. Rifle-pits were dug, and the fight was maintained, though with hea,7y loss, from about half past 2 o'clocJr of the 25th till 6 o'clock of the 36th, when the Indians withdrew from the valley, taking wit.h tllern their village. uf the move-ments of General Ouster and the five companies under his imme-diate command, scarcely anything is known from those who witnessed them, for no officer or soldier who accompanied him llas yet been found alive. His trail, from the point where Reno crossed the stream, passes along and. in the rear of the crest of the bluff:5 on tl.le right bank for nearly or quite three miles; the.n it comes down to the ballk of the river, but at once diverges from it, as if he hrtd unsuccessfully attempted. to cross, then turns upon itself, almost cow pletes a circle, and closes. It is marked bv tlle remains of the officer~ and the bodies of his horses. Some of thetn dropped along the path; others heaped where halts appear to have been made. ThPre is abundant e·{idence that a gallant resistance was oti'ered by the troops, but they were beset on all sides by o'rerpowering nnm bers. The officers known to be killed are General Ouster, Captains Keogh, Yates, aud Ouster; Lien-6 MILITARY EXPEDITION AGAINST THE SIOUX INDIANS. tenants Uook, Smith, Mcintosh, Calhoun, Porter, Hodgson, Sturgis, and Reilly, of the cavalry. Lieutenant Crittenden, of the Twentieth Infantry, and Acting Assistant Surgeon De Wolf, Lieutenant Har-rington, of the cavalry, and Assistant Burgeon Lord are missing. Captain Benteen and JJieutenant Varnum of the cavalry are slightly wounded. Mr. Boston Ouster, a brother, and Mr. Reed, a nephew, of General Custer, were with him, anrl were killed. No other officers than those whom I have named are among the killed, wounded, or missing. It is impossible as yet to obtain a reliable list of the enlisted men who were killed and wounded, but the number of killed, including officers, must reach two hundred and fifty. The number of wounded is fifty-one. At the mouth of the Rosebud, I informed General Ouster that I should take the supply-steamer Far West up the Yellowstone to ferry General Gibbon's column over the river; that I should per-sonally accompany that column, and that it would in all probllowstone and Powder Rivers, and make war on the Arickarees, Mandans, Gros Ventres, Assinaboines, Blackfeet, Piegans, Crows, and other friendly tribes, and be suggests, for reasons stated by him, that one thousand men, under the command of an experienced officer, be sent into the country of these hostile Indians, numbering but a few hundred, during the whiter season, and compel them to submit to the authority of the Government. 8 MILITARY EXPEDITION AGAINST THE SIOUX INDIANS. I respectfully recommend that this communication be referred to the War Department for consideration and such action as may be deemed best by Lieutenant-General Sheridan, who i:s personally conversant with the situation on the Upper Missouri, and with the relations of Sitting Bull's band to the other Sioux tribes. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, EDW. P. SMITH, Commissioner. Ron. SECRETARY OF THE INTERIOR. WASHINGTON, D. C., November 9, 1875. SIR: I have the honor to address you in relation to the attitude and condition of certain wild and hostile bands of Sioux Indians in Dakota and Montana, that came under my observation during my recent tour through their country, and what I think should be the policy of the Government toward them. I refer to "Sitting Bull's" band and other bands of the Sioux Nation, under chiefs or'' head-men" of less note, bnt no less untamable and hos-tile. These Indians occupy the center, so to speak, and roam over Western Dakota and Eastern Montana, including the rich valleys of the Yellowstone and Powder Rivers, and make war on the Arickarees, Man-dans, Gros Ventres, Assinaboines, Blackfeet, Piegans, Crows, and other frien. SIR: Referring to your indorsement of the 20th instant, upon a copy of correspondence between the War and Interior Departments, relative to operations against Sitting Bull and his band, in case they should refuse to obey the order of the Commissioner of Indian Affairs, direct-ing them to remove to the reservation which is set apart for them in common with the other bands of the Sioux Nation, I have the honor to report that information from various sources tends to show that these Indians are now encamped for the winter on the Little Missouri; it is believed that they are near the mouth. If this information is correct it will be possible in ordinary winter weather to reach their camp by a rapid march from Fort .Abraham Lincoln. .For such an operation there are available five well-mounted companies of cavalry at Lincoln and two at Fort Rice; a force which, I think, would be sufficient. Such an operation must, of course. be conducted with secrecy and rapidity, for it would not be possible for cavalry to follow the Indians for any con-siderable distance should they receive notice of the approach of troops and seek safety in dispersion and flight. It would be impracticable to carry supplies of food and forage for more than a very few days. In view of the conversation which I bad with the Lieutenant-General upon this subject when I was in Uhicago week before last, 1 have not felt at liberty to communicate even to any of my statf' that such opera-tions have been contemplateo, nor have I felt at liberty to take any steps to ascertain the precise position of Sitting Ball's camp. I think that this informatiou can be obtained by sending out, scouts from Fort Stevenson without exciting suspicion. Sitting Bull doubtless knows that the garrison of that post cousists entirely of infantry, and that be has nothing to fear from it. He would pay little attention to a movement from that qnartt>r, even if it were discovered. If the Lieu-tenant-General Rhall approve of this suggestion, I will send confidential instructions to Lieutenant-Colonel Huston, the post commander, to ob-tain this information as if for his own purposes. I have the honor to be, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, ALFRED H. TBRRY, Brigadier- Gtneral, Oomrnand,ing. To the .AssiSTANT ADJUTANT-GENERAL, Division of Missouri, Chicago, lll. 16 MILITARY EXPEDITION AGAINST THE SIOUX INDIANS. HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE PLATTE, Omaha, Nebr., December 22, 1875. GENERAL: Referring to your indorsement of the 20th instant, on com-munication from the honorable the Secretary of the Interior, relative to certain hostile bands of Sioux Indians, and requesting report as to the feasibility of military operations against therri, I have the honor to state that military operations may be commenced against them when-ever, in the opinJon of the Department, such action becomes necessary. I recommend that the Department communicate their decision at the earliest date practicable, in order that operations may be commenced before spring weather comes. I am, general, very respectfully, your obedient servant, GEORGE CROOK, Brigadier- General, Commanding Department. To the ASSISTANT ADJUTANT-GENERAL, Headquarters 1Jlilitary Division of the Missouri, Chicago, Ill. [Fourth jndorsement.] HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE UNI1'ED STATES, Saint Louis, Mo., February 7, 1876. Respectfully returned to the Secretary of War, whose instructions as contained in his indorsement of the 4th instant, on copy of letter from the Interior Department, (this day received,) have been referred to tlie Lieutenant-General for action. W. T. SHERMAN, General. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, Washington, January 25, 1876. SIR: Referring to Department letter addressed to .you under date of the 22d instant, in relation to the movements contemplated against the hostile and lawless bands of Sioux. I have the honor to transmit here-with copy of communication dated , 24th instant, from the Commissioner of Indian Affairs, with extract from letter of Agent Burke, Standing Rock agency, relative to the probable movements of Sitting Bull and his band. · Very respectfully, your obedient servant, The honorable the SECRETARY OF W .AR. Z. CHANDLER, Secretary. DEPARTMENT O:F THE INTERIOR, OFFICE oF · INDIAN AFFAIRS, Washington, D. 0., January 24, 1876. SIR : Referring to my communication of the 21st instant1 I forward herewith, to be laid by you, if deemed advisable, before the honorable Secretary of " 7ar, copy of so much of a communication of the 31st ult., this day received from John Burke, esq., United States Indian agent at the Standing Rock agency, as relates to the probable moYements of Sit-ting Bull and his band of hostile Indians. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, J. Q. SMITH, Commissioner. The honorable the SECRETARY OF THE INTERIOR. MILITARY EXPEDITION AGAINST THE SIOUX INDIANS. 17 rExtract from letter of John Burke, United States Indian agent, Standing Rock agen-cy, Dakota, December 31, 1875.] "On the 22d of the month I received Department letter dated Decem-ber 6, 1875, directing me to notify Sitting Bull's band, and other wild and lawless bands of Sioux Indians, who are outside of their reservation and making war on friendly tribes of Indians, to cease so doing and re-move within the boundaries of their reservation on or before the 31st of January next, otherwise they will be deemed hostile and treated accord-ingly by the military force. Upon the receipt of said letter I took imme-diate measures fo.- the carrying out of said orders, by sending some trust-worthy, reliable, and friendly Indians to the several hostile camps to notify them of the orders, and will also in a few days send one of my agency employes to Fort Berthold, D. T., where I ha\e directed any of the Indians so notified who may desire to come to this agency to meet and accompany him here, as a precautionary measure to guard against trouble that might arise should they encounter any military force on their journey here. I have no doubt but that a large number of these wild and lawless Indians will come to this agency and accept the condi-tions of the treaty of 1868. I am strengthened in this belief from the fact that many of them had already sent word to their Indian relations and friends now peaceably settled on this reservation of their intention to do so the present winter or early the coming spring, in view of which I respectfully invite the attention of the Department to the necessity of providing for their subsistence and maintenance." WAR DAPARTMENT, Washington City, January 29, 1876. SIR: Referring to your letter of the 25th instant, transmitting copy of communication from the Commissioner of Indian Afi'airs and extract from letter of Agent Burke, Standing Rock agency, relative to the prob-able movements of Sitting Bull and his band, I have the honor to inform you that the papers have been referred to the proper military com-mander. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, WM. W. BELKNAP, Secreta'ry of War. To the honorable the SECRETARY OF THE INTERIOR. Copy Interior Department letter January 25, 1876, referred to Gen-eral of the Army February 2, 1876. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, Washington, Februa1·y 1, 1876. SIR: On the 3d December last I had the honor to address a commu-nication to you relative to the hostile Sioux roaming in the Powder River country, under the leadership of Sitting Bull, informing you that I had directed couriers to be sent from each of the Sioux agencies, in-forming that chief that he must come in with his followers to one of the Sioux agencies before the 31st ultimo, prepared to remain in peace near the agency, or he would be turned over to the War Department, and H.Hx.184-2 18 MILITARY EXPEDITION AGAINST THE SIOUX INDIANS. the Army be directed to compel him to comply with the orders of this Department. The time given him in which to return to an agency having expired, and the advices received at the Indian Office being to the effect that Sitting Bull still refuses to comply with the directions of the Commis-sioner, the said Indians are hereby turned over to the War Department for such action on the part of the Army as you may deem proper under the circumstances. I inclose copy of communication from the Commissioner of Indian Afi'airs, dated the 31st ultimo, recommending that hostilities be com-menced. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, The honorable the SECRETARY OF WAR. Z. CHANDLER, Secretary. DEPARTMENT OF 1'HE INTERIOR, OFFICE OF INDIAN AFFAIRS, lVashington, D. C., 31st January, 1876. SIR: I have the honor to forward herewith copy of telegram just re-ceived from Agent Burke, of Standing Rock agency, in which the agent desires an extension of the time limited for the submission of Sitting Bull to the demands of Government, and a postponement of the hostilities against him now in contemplation. I also forward copy of so much of a communication this day received from Agent Bingham, at Cheyenne River, upon this matter as shows his action under previous instructions to notify Sitting Bull. As the time limited by the Department has expired without there-ceipt of any news of Sitting Bull's submission, I see no reason why, in the discretion of the honorable the Secretary of War, military opera-tions against him should not commence at once. I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, J. Q. SMITH, Commissioner. The honorable the SECRETARY OF THE INTERIOR. CHEYENNE RIVER AGENCY, DAK., January 24,1876. SIR: I have the honor to acknowledge receipt of your letter of lOth instant, (G. W. S.,) instructing me to obey, if possible, the instructions contained in yours of 6th ultimo, relative to Sitting Ball's and other wild bands of Indians, and to use my best endeavors to subsist all In-dians under my care up to the close of the present fiscal year from the supplies on hand, and the beef to be furnished, so that no deficiencies may exist. . · In reply I will state that, in addition to publicly notifying the Indians of this agency of the intention of the Government, and thereby giving them an opportunity to convey the information to their friends at the hostile camps, I have sent special delegations of Indians to the camps of the wild band, inviting them to come to this reservation, and warn-ing them that if such invitation was not accepted before the 31st instant MILITARY EXPEDITION .AGAINST THE SIOUX INDIANS. 19 they will be treated as enemies of the Government, and receive the chastisement due those whose opposition is unreasonable and uncalled for. * * * * * * * Yery respectfully, your obedient servant, H. ,V. BINGH.Al\I, United States Indian Agent. fThJegram.] ST.A.NDI~G RocK, DAK., Ja/mtary 30, 1876. Honorable CO~I:i.\IISSIONER OF INDIAN AFFAIRS, Washington, D. C. : l\fan I sent to Berthold to meet. representative from hostile camp re-turned. Communication intercepted. About thirty Indians, composed, it is reported, of the Two Kettle, Minneconjoux, anu Sans .Arc bands of Sioux, on the night of the 11th, raided and stole horses from Gros Yentres, and were pursued by Be:r;thold Indians and four of them killed. This circumstance prevented members of hostile bands from meeting representatives and delayed communication from the Inllian couriers. I look for good results from movements I have inaugurated, and respect-fully urge an extension of time on account of the trouble from this foray and the great length of the journey to hostile camp this inclement season. JOHN BURKE, Unit eel States Indian Agernt. [Indorsements.] wAR DEP.ARTl\1ENT, ADJUTANT-GENERAL'S OFFICE, Washington, February 4, 1876. Official copy respectfully referred to the General of the .Army, to take immediate steps to compel these Indians to return and remain upon their reservation, as requested by the Interior Department. By order of the Secretary of War: E. D. TOWNSEND, Adjutant- General. wAR DEPARTMENT' Washington City, February 3, 1876. SIR: .Acknowledging the receipt of your letter of the 1st instant, stating that the time given Sitting Bull and his followers to repair to an agency having expired, and this chief still refuses to comply with the directions of the Commissioner, and turning the case over to the War Department, in accordance with the recommendation of the Indian Bureau that hostilities be commenced against these Indians, I have the honor to inform you that the .Adjutant-General has directed the General of the .Army to take immediate measures to compel these Indians to return to and remain upon their reserva6on, as requested by your Department. WM. W. BELKNAP, Secretary of War. To the honorable the SECRETARY OF THE INTERIOR. .20 MILITARY EXPEDITION .AGAINST THE SIOUX INDIANS. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, lVashington, January 19, 1876. SIR: I have the honor to transmit herewith, for your information, a copy of a letter, dated the 18th instant, from the Commissioner of Indian Affairs, in relation to the action taken by the Indian Bureau, under instructions from this Department, concerning the sales of arms and ammunition to Indians at the following agencies: Red Cloud and Spotted Tail, in Nebraska; Standing Rock, Crow Creek, White River, and Cheyenne River, in Dakota; Fort Belknap and Fort Peck, in Mon-tana; and, in accordance with the suggestion therein contained, invite the co-operation of the War Department in carrying into effect the instructions promulgated. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, The honorable the SECRETARY OF WAR. [First inclosure.] Z. UHANDLER, Secretary. DEP .A RTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, OFFICE OF INDIAN AFFAIRS, Washington, D. 0., January 18, 1876. SIR: In accordance with your verbal instructions of yesterday, this office has telegraphed to the agents respectively in charge of the follow-ing agencies: Red Cloud and Spotted Tail, in Nebraska; Standing Rock, Crow Creek, White River, and Cheyenne River, in Dakota; and Fort Belknap and Fort Peck, in 1\Iontana, to stop all sales of arms and ammunition to the Indians of said agencies, and to seize any such articles likely to reach the Indians. I beg leave to suggest the propriety of advising the War Department of the act.ion taken in the matter; and also of inviting the co-operation of the military in carrying into effect the instructions given in the dis-patches referred to. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, J. Q. SMITH, Commissioner. The honorable the SECRETARY OF THE INTERIOR. [Second inclosure.] W.AR DEPARTMEN'r, Washington City, January 22, 1876. SIR: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 19th instant, transmitting copy of communication from the Commis-sioner of Indian Affairs relative to the action taken by the Indian Bureau concerning the sale of arms and ammunition to Indians at the following agencies : Red Cloud and Spotted Tail, Nebraska; Crow Creek, Standing Rock, White Hiver, and Cheyenne River, Dakota; Fort Belknap and Fort Peck, Montana, and requesting the co-operation of the Department in carrying out the instructions promulgated, and in reply to inform you that the action of your Department in the matter MILITARY EXPEDITION AGAINST THE SIOUX INDIANS. 21 has been concurred in, and the Adjutant-General of the Army bas been directed to issue the necessary instructions to the military commanders, as requested. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, vV.l\I. W. BELKNAP, Secretctry of War. To the honorable the SECRETARY OF THE INTERIOR. [Indorsement on copy of communication of January 19, 1876, from the Interior Department.] WAR DEPARTMENT, ADJUTANT-GENERAL'S OFFICE, Washington, January 26, 1876. Approved, and official copy respectfully referred, through headquar-ters of the Army, to the commanding general, Military Division of the 1\lissonri, to issue necessary instructions to military commanders. By order of the Secretary of War: E. D. TOWNSEND, Adj~ttant-General. DEP ARTl\'lENT OF THE INTERIOR, Wctshington, February 10, 1876. SIR: I have the honor to transmit herewith, for the information of the honorable the Secretary of War, a copy of a report, dated the 9th instant, from the Commissioner of Indian Affairs, and copies of accompanying letters from Agents Bingham and Darling, in relation to movements of Sitting Bull and his band. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, The honorable the SECRE'l'ARY OF WAR. [First in closure.] Z. CHANDLER, Secretary. DEP ARTl\fENT OF THE IN1'ERIOR, OFFICE OF INDIAN AFFAIRS, Washington, D. C., February 9, 1876. SIR: I have the honor to submit herewith, to be furnished the War Department for information, if deemed advisable, a copy of a letter from A. W. Bingham, United States agent Cheyenne River agency, Dakota Territory, dated 26th ultimo, in which that agent says he appre-hends no trouble from Sitting Bull; also, copy of two letters from C. W. Darling, United States agent Fort Berthold agency, Dakota Territory, dated, respectively, 24th and 15th ultimo, reporting the presence of Sitting Bull and his followers upon the reservation of the Fort Berthold agency Indians; the raiding by some of his people on the 11th or 12th ultimo upon the Gros Ventres' winter-quarters; the stealing of horses therefrom; the pursuit of the raiders by Indians from Fort Berthold agency, and fight between the parties. Very respectfnlly, ;your obedient servant, The honorable the SECRETARY OF 1'HE INTERIOR. J. Q. SMITH, Oomm issioner. 22 MILITARY EXPEDITION AGAINST THE SIOUX INDIANS. [Second inclosure.] CHEYENNE RIVER AGENCY, January 26, 1876. SIR: Referring to your telegram of the 21st instant, in which I am in-structed to keep you constantly advised, by letter and telegram, of all news from "Sitting Bull," I have the honor to inform you that from such information as I can obtain from runners arriving at the agency, I have no reason to apprehend trouble from the Indian named. In this con-nection I will state that, so far as my information goes, the Indians have not been so quiet or friendly-disposed for a long time as they are now, and the intimation of a renewal of hostilities was a surprise, not only to me, but to all the Indians under my charge, who disclaim all knowledge of any such intention on the part of themselves, or their less civilized friends, called for the sake of distinction "hostile." They blame the newspapers for publishing sensational reports for which there is no foundation, but simply calculated to prejudice the Government and its officers against the Indians, who have no means of contradicting such statements, unless through their agents. All news of "Sitting Bull," or any other wild bands that I can learn, will be promptly laid before you. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, Ron. J. Q, SMITH, H. W. BINGHAl\f, United States Indian Agent. Commissioner of Indian A~tfairs, Washington, D. G. [Third inclosure.] FORT BERTHOLD, DAK., January 15, 1876. SIR: I have the honor to state that on: the night of the 11th or early morning of the 12th instant a band of hostile Sioux Indians succeeded in stealing 25 horses from the Gros Ventres' winter-quarters, at the mouth of the Little :Missouri River, about 25 miles above this agency. The theft was soon discovered, and a party of Gros Ventres and 1\'Ian-dans at once followed them, overtaking a small party who were on foot, (at the head of Beaver Creek, a small stream which flows into the Mis-souri River on the west side, about 8 miles above the agency~) killing one and wounding another at this point. The party of Gros Ventres and Man dans, being re-enforced, followed up the main trail, which led to Turtle Mountain,' situated at the head of one of the forks of Big Knife River, about 40 miles from Fort Berthold, nearly west. The Sioux were evidently making for their camp on the Yellowstone River, and late in the night of the 12th the party of Fort Berthold Indians discov-ered about 30 of the raiders in the bad lands north of the Little 1\tlis-souri River, and in the fight which ensued killed three, wounded sev-eral more, but recovering only two of the stolen horses. That these Indians were from Sitting Bull's camp of Uncpapas I believe, as they were making direct for it on the Yellowstone River, and that so far the treaty of peace effected last summer at Fort Lincoln with the Sioux of Standing Roc~ and Cheyenne agencies has not been broken. Also Mr. Chas. Reynolds (an employe of the a,gency) reports, on his arrival to-day at the agency, that he was within 15 miles of Tur-tle :Mountain, on the west side of the Missouri River, having gone from the mouth of Big Knife River to that point, and no Indians from below had crossed that stream on their way here, which they must have done bad they been from Standing Rock or Cheyenne agencies. From the MILITARY EXPEDITION AGAINST THE SIOUX INDIANS. 23 best information possible to get here, Sitting Bull bas about 500 lodges of lawless ruffians with him, in fact the home of the very worst Indians in the Northwest. This affair is very much to be regretted at this time, as this agency Indians, the Arickarees in particular, bad begun to think that the long war waged against them by the Sioux had at last terminated, and were turning their attention to the pursuits of peace. All agree that .never before has there been anything like the desire they now exhibit to work and adopt the customs of civilized life. But this raid has seemed to almost craze them; all can think of nothing but scalps and revenge for old and almost forgotten wrongs. I am con-vinced that, if these hostile bands of Indians could be kept away from this agency and not allowed to come on the reservation, it would not be but a short time before all, or nearly all, would be at work doing something for themselves. No doubt now but we shall soon receive a visit from a large war-party seeking revenge for the hair lost by the late raiders; shall keep a sharp lookout for and hope not to be troubled by them. I was in hopes the Government would put its strong and heavy hand upon this band of red rascals, who seem to defy and laugh at every effort made to compel good behavior. I think a good thrash-ing would do them good and save lives in the end. I am, sir, \ery respectfully, your obedient servant, C. W. DARLING, Unit.ed States Indian Agent. Hon. COMMISSIONER OF INDIAN AFFAIRS, Washington, D. 0. [Fourth inclosure.] FORT BERTHOLD, UNI'l'ED STATES INDIAN AGENCY, D. T., January 24, 1876. SIR : I have the honor to report that the large band of hostile Sioux, under the leadership of Sitting Bull, are still encamped on the reserva-tion of the Indians of my agency. This is very injurious to the interests of the service. The close proximity of a large band of hostile Sioux exercises a demoralizing influence in furnishing a place of refuge for the lawless, and preventing, and almost stopping, the industry of the peace-able Indians. Besides it is a serious loss to the Government, as the Indians of this agency have been compelled to give up hunting, the only part of their reservation where game can be found being occupied by these hostile Sioux. Last winter it was quite usual for large parties of Rees, Gros Yentres, and Mandans to start out on a hunt, and be gone six weeks at a time, bringing home plenty of game, and I have no doubt were Sitting Bull's band driven off to their own reservation, and com-pelled to stay there, that at a moderate estimate 10,000 pounds of good, wholesome meat could be procured (at the point now occupied by Sit-ting Bull) within a short period, thereby saving the Government this amount of beef or other supplies. I would respectfully but strongly urge on the Department the abso-lute necessity of driving Sitting Bull and his band of lawless Indians off the reservation of the Indians of my agency with as little delay as practicable. I am, sir, very respectfuiJy, your obedient servant, C. W. DARLING, United States Indian Agent. Hon. COMMISSIONER OF INDIAN AFFAIRS, Washington, D. 0. 24 MILITARY EXPEDITION AGAINST THE SIOUX INDIANS. WAR DEPARTMENT, Washington City, February 15, 1876. SIR: Referring to your letter of the lOth instant, and its inclosures, copies of a report of the Commissioner of Indian Affairs and of letters from Agents Bingham and Darling, relative to the movements of "Sit-ting Bull" and his band, I have now the honor to state that General Sheridan, who is now in the city, bas seen these papers, and, in accord-ance with his request, copies of them will be forwarded to his head-quarters, and also to General Terry. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, vVJ\I. W. BELKNAP, Secretary of War. To the honorable the SECRETARY OF THE INTERIOR. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. Wctshington, February 17, 1876. SIR: I have the honor to transmit herewith, for your information, copy of communication, dated 16th instant, from the Commissioner of Indian Affairs, and copy of letter from Agent Hastings, reporting that Crazy Horse and Black Twin, Ogallalla chiefs, and leaders of hostile Sioux, are now on their way to the Red Cloud agency with their people,. and that the couriers sent to Cheyenne camp are daily expected. Very respectfully, your obedient sen·ant, The honorable the SECRETARY OF WAR. [First inclosure.] Z. CHANDI;ER, Secretary. DEPARTMENT OF 1.'HE INTERIOR, OFFICE OF INDIAN AFFAIRS, Washington, D. 0., February 15, 1876. SIR: I have the honor to submit herewith, for the information of the Department, copy of a letter dated the 28th ultimo, from James S. Hastings, United States agent for the Indians of Red Cloud agency,. Nebraska, in which he says that it is reported that Crazy Horse and Black Twin, Ogallalla chiefs, and leaders of the hostile Sioux camp, are now on the way to the Red Cloud agency, with their people, and that the couriers sent to the Cheyenne camp are daily expected. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, J. Q. SMITH, Commissioner. The honorable the SECRETARY OF THE INTERIOR. [ Second inclosure.] RED CLOUD AGENCY, NEBRASKA, Janua.~ry 28, 1876. SIR: Your telegram of the 20th instant, directing that you be advised as to the whereabouts of Sitting Bull, is received. In reply, I have to MILITARY EXPEDITION AGAINST THE SIOUX INDIANS. 25-inform you that last fall he separated from the hostHe camp on Powder River and started for the Yellowstone; since then nothing has been heard from him. He is an U ncpapa, and belongs at Standing Rock agency, from which point he could be reached with less difficulty than from here. It is reported here that Crazy Horse and Black Twin, Ogallalla chiefs, and leaders of the hostile Sioux camp, to whom I sent word that they m u.st come into the agency, are now en route to this place with their people; their progress is somewhat retarded on account of deep snow; when heard from they were at Bear Buttes, about one hundred miles distant. It is said that these two chiefs did not partici-pate in the treaty of 1868 ; have never been on any agency; hitherto refusing to accept the bounty of the Government, and persistently de-clared their intention to remain at war with the whites, which they have incessantly carried on for the past seven years. The couriers who were sent to notify the Cheyenne camp, which is located about one hundred miles beyond the Sioux, have not yet been heard from, but are daily expected. In connection with the above, I have to inform the Department that couriers could not be obtained to go north without theprom1seof a reward for their services, and would respectfully request that I be authorized to purchase on their return presents to the amount of one hundred and fifty dollars. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, Ron. J. Q. SMITH, JAS. S. HASTINGS, United States Indian Agent. Commissioner Indian Affairs, Washington, D. C. P. S.-There are supposed to be between three and four thousand in the party. J. S. H. [Third inclosure.] WAR DEP ARTl\IENT, Washington City, February 19, 1876. SIR: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 17th instant, transmitting copy of a communication from the Com-missioner of Indian Affairs and a letter from Agent Hastings, relative to the report that Crazy Horse and Black Twin, Ogallalla chiefs, and leaders of hostile Sioux, are on their way to the Red Cloud agency with their people, &c., and to inform you that the information has been sent to the General of the Army. Very respectfu11y, your obedient servant, vVM. W. BELKNAP, Secretary of lfar. The honorable SECRETARY OF THE INTERIOR. DEP .A.RT:::\IENT OF THE INTERIOR, Washington, Februa,ry 21, 1876. Sr:R: I have the honor to transmit herewith, for your information, copy of a communication of this date from the Commissioner of Indian 26 MILITARY EXPEDITION AGAINST THE SIOUX INDIANS. Affairs and inclosed copy of letter from Agent Bingham, Cheyenne River agency, reporting Sitting Bull and his band to be peaceably inclined. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, Z. CHANDLER, Secrtta'ry. The honorable the SECRETARY OF WAR. [First inclosure.] DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. OFFICE OF INDIAN AFFAIRS, Washington, D. C., February 21, 1876. SIR: Under date of the 12th instant, AgentBingham, of the Cheyenne River agency, reports the return to his agency of one of the delegations sent out to communicate with Sitting Bull, with the report that his band of Indians appears to be peaceably inclined. A copy of this communication, which bas been this day received, is respectfully forwarded herewith for transmission to the honorable the Secretary of War. I have the honor to be, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, J. Q. SMITH, Commissioner. To the honorable the SECRETARY OF THE INTERIOR. [Second inclosure.] CHEYENNE RIVER AGENCY, D. T., February 12, 1876. SIR: I haYe the honor to report the return on yesterday of one of the delegations sent from this agency some time ago to the camps of Sitting Bull and other wild bands, to invite them to come on the reservation or be considered enemies. From the statements of these messengers, the "hostile" Indians re-ceived the above invitation and warning in good spirit, and without any exhibition of ill-feeling. They answered that, as they were now engaged in hunting buffalo, they could not conveniently accept my invitation at present, but that early in the spring they will visit this agency to dis-pose of their robes and skins, when the question as to their future movements can be thoroughly discussed. They are now camped on the Yellowstone River, and my informants say they are not only peaceably inclined, but deny the statements, so extensively circulated, that they intended to make war on the frontier on the approach of spring. I cannot determine how much importance to attach to this informa-tion, but, until something transpires to convince me that hostile move-ments are intended, I must adhere to my present opinion that there is no danger to be apprehended. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, H. W. BINGHAM. United States Indian Agent. Hon. J. Q. SMITH, Commissioner Indian Affairs, Washington, D. C. Copy referred from Adjutant-General's Office to General of the Army, February 29, 1876. MILITARY EXPEDITION AGAINST THE SIOUX I~DIANS. 27 [Copy telegram.] SAINT PAUL, 1\fiNN., December 24, 1875. To ADJUTAN1'-GENERAL DIVISION 1\fiSSOURI, 678 JJLichigan Avenue, Chicago, Ill.: Captain Poland telegraphs that, though there is no game in that vicinity, the Indians at Standing Rock are selling all their hides for ammunition, These Indians are closely connected with Sitting Bull's band, and, hav-ing in view the recent conversation of the Lieutenant-General with me, and the communication from the Interior Department to the War De-partment, which was referred to me on the 20th instant, I have ordered Poland to put a stop to such sales. I suggest that the Interior Depart-ment be requested to gin~, similar orders to the traders. TERRY, Commanding Department. [Pirst indorsement.] HEADQUARTERS MILITARY DIVISION l\fiSSOURI, Chicago, December 26, 1875. Respectfully forwarded through heauquarters of the Army. P. H. SHERIDAN, Lieutenant- General Comrnanc1ing. [Second indorsement.] HEADQUARTERS OF THE ARMY, Saint Louis, December 28, 1875. Respectfully forwarded to the Secretary of War. W. T. SHERl\IAN, General. WAR DEPARTMENT, "\VASHINGTON CITY, January 6, 1876. SIR: I have the honor to transmit herewith, for your information, copy of telegram from the commanding general Department of Dakota, stating "that, though there is no game in that vicinity, the Indians at Standing Rock are selling all their hides for ammunition," and Captain Poland has been directed to stop such sales. It is respectfully suggested that the Department of the Interior give similar orders to traders. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, . H. T. OROSBY, Chief Ole>·k, For the Secretary of W m·, in his absence. To the honorable the SECRETARY OF THE INTERIOR. [Copy telegram.] STANDING Rome, Dec_ember 31, 1875. To ASSISTAN1' ADJUTANT-GENERAL, JJepartrnent of Dakota, Saint Paul, JJiinn. : Trader refuses to stop the sale of ammunition entirely. Announces he will sell on ordm's of Indian agent. Agent has refused to say he will not issue orders for ammunition. Will place a guard over store to-morrow morning. Documents by mail. I await further instructions. J. S. POLAND. 28 MILITARY EXPEDITION AGAINST THE SIOUX INDIANS. HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF DAKOTA, Saint Paul, January 3, 1876. Official copy respectfully forwarded to headquarters Military Division of the :Missouri for the information of the Lieutenant-General. ALFRED H. TERRY, Brigadier-General Command,ing. [First indorsement.] I HEADQUARTERS lVIILITARY DIVISION OF THE MISSOURI, Chicago, January 5, 1876. Respectfully forwarded through headquarters of the Army for the information of the Indian Bureau. P. H. SHERIDAN, L-ieutenant- General Commanding. [Second indorsement.] HEADQUARTERS OF THE ARMY, Saint Louis, January 6, 1876. Respectfully forwarded to the Secretary of War. W. T. SHERMAN, General. WAR DEPARTMENT, Washington City, January 121 1876. SIR: I have the honor to transmit for your information copy of a tel-egram dated the 21st ultimo, from the commanding officer of Standing Rock, stating the trader there refuses to stop the sale of ammunition entirely, and that the agent has refnsed to say be will not issue orders for ammunition, and that he, Captain Poland, will place a guard over the store. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, H. T. CROSBY, Chief Clm·k, For the Secretary of War, in his absence. To the Hon. SECRETARY OF THE IN'l'ERIOR. DEPARTMENT OF 'l'HE INTERIOR, Washington, January 17, 1876. SIR: Referring to two letters, dated, respectively, the 6th and 12th instant, from the War Department, upon the subject of sale of ammu-nition to Indians at Standing Rock agency, Dakota, I have the honor to respectfully invite your attention to the inclosed copy of a letter, dated the 14th instant, from the Commissioner of Indian Affairs, to whom the subject was referred, showing the action taken by that officer in the premises. I have the honor to be, \ery respectfully, your obedient servant, Z. CHANDLER, Secretary. The honorable the SECRETARY OF WAR. MILITARY EXPEDITION AGAINST THE SIOUX INDIANS. 29 [First inclosure.] DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, OFFICE OF INDIAN AFFAIRS, Washington, D. 0., January 14, 1876. SIR: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt, by reference from the Department, of two letters from the War Department, dated, re-spectively, 6th and 12th instant, relative to the selling by Indians at Standing Rock agency of all their hides, for ammunition, and to the action of the military in ordering that such sales be stopped, and also in regard to the action of the United States agent and licensed trader at the agency concerning the selling of ammunition to the Indians. Many of the Indians referred to are, doubtless, as stated in an inclos-ure in one of the communications from the War Department, closely connected with the hostile band under Sitting Bull, and the wisdom of the policy of selling to them ammunition, in view of that fact, is ques-tionable. Being of the opinion that the sale of arms and ammunition to the Indians at Standing Rock agency should for the present be stopped, this office yesterday telegraphed toAgentBurketothat effect, and to-day, by letter, more fully instructed him on that point, and also in reference to the trader at his agency. A copy of that letter is herewith trans-mitted. The letters from the War Department referred to are herewith returned. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, J. Q. SMITH, Oommissione~·. The honorable the SECRETARY OF THE INTERIOR. [Second inclosure.] DEP ARTl\'IENT OF THE INTERIOR, OFFICE OF INDIAN AFFAIRS, Washington, D. 0., January 14, 1876. SIR : Yesterday a telegraphic dispatch was sent to you to " stop sales of arms and ammunition to your Indians." Quite a large number of In-dians at your agency are, it is said, closely connected with Sitting Bull's band. It is not deemed prudent, in view of that chief's hostile disposi-tion and course, to allow his people to be supplied with the means of making further trouble. The Department is advised, through the War Department, that the Indians at your agency are selling all their hides for ammunition, and that Captain Poland has been directed to stop such sales. It may be suspected that mischief is intended by the Indians, and as a precautionary measure the order of the military is doubtless a proper one. In this connection, your attention is called to the fact that no trader can sell arms and ammunition to the Indians of your agency, without a permit from this office. A copy of the rules and regulations of the Department in regard to the matter were sent to your predecessor, and ought to be on file at the agency. There is but one licensed trader at Standing Rock agency, Z. R. Casselberry, the term of whose license has just expired; and if he has been trading, having no permit, in arms and ammunition, it has been in violation, unwittingly, perhaps, on his part, of the rules and regulations in question. 30 MILITARY EXPEDITION AGAINST THE SIOUX INDIANS. As you may not have found on file a copy of the rules and regulations referred to, one is herewith transmitted. If Mr. Casselberry proposes to continue trading w.ith your Indians, he should at once apply to you for a new license, or a renewal of the old one ; and if the application be granted by you, the papers necessary in the case should be immediately forwarded to this office for proper action thereon. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, JoHN BURKE, Esq., J. Q. SMITH, Commissioner. United States Indian Agent, Standing Rock, Dak. [Second indorsement.] WAR DEPART::\IENT, ADJUTANT-GENERAL'S OFFICE, Washington, January 25, 1876. Respectfully referred, through headquarters of the Army, to the commanding general Department of Dakota, for his information. To be returned. By order of the Secretary of War. E. D. TOWNSEND, Adjuta.nt General. [Third indorsement.] HEADQUARTERS OF T·HE ARMY, Saint Louis, January 29, 1876. Respectfully transmitted, through headquarters Division of the Mis-souri. By command of General Sherman. Wl\f. D. WHIPPLE, Assistant Adjutant-General. [Fourth indorsement.] HEADQUAR1'ERS MILITARY DIVISION OF THE MISSOURI, Chicago, February 2, 1876. Respectfully submitted to the commanding general, Department of Dakota. By command of Lieutenant-General Sheridan. R. C. DUNN, Assistctnt Adjutant-General. · [Fifth imlorsement.] HEADQUARTERS DEPART~IENT OF DAKOTA, Saint Paul, Jfinn., February 4, 1876. Respectfully referred to the commanding officer, Standing Rock agency, D. T., for his information. Please note and return. By command of Brigadier-General Terry. GEO. D. RUGGLES, Assistant Adjutant-General. MILITARY EXPEDITION .AGAINST THE SIOUX INDIANS. 31 [Sixth indorsement.] HEADQUARTERS UNITED STATES 1\'[ILITARY STA1'ION, Standing Rock, D. T., February 18, 1876. Respectfully returned. Contents noted. J. S. POLAND, Captain Sixth Infctntry, Commanding. [Seventh indorsement.] HEADQU A.RTERS DEPART:\fENT OF DAKOTA, · Saint Pa~tl, lJlinn., March 6, 187G. Respectfully returned, through headquarters :Military Division of the Missouri. Contents noted. ALFRED H. TERRY. B ·riga.dier- General, Gmnm,a?tding. [Eighth indorsement. ] HEADQUARTERS :MILITARY DIVISION :MISSOURI, Chicago, JJ[arch 10, 1876. Respectfully returned to the Adjutant-General through headquarters. of the Army. · P. H. SHERIDAN, Lieu tenant- General, Gommanclin g. [Ninth indorsement.] HEADQUARTERS OF THE ARMY, Sa.int Louis, March 13, 1876. Respectfully forwarued, by command of General Sherman. W. D. WHIPPLE, Assistant Adjutant- General. HEADQUARTERS UNITED STATES MILITARY STATION, Standing Rock, Dale., December 30, 1875. SIR: In compliance with your telegraphic order dated December 24,. 1875, to forward by mail statements of facts and depositions of wit· nesses, I have the honor to submit the following: That my telegram was based on a notorious fact, and the hearsay evidence of Indians, which fact is not denied by the trader. (See his letter of December 29, 1875.) Until the order stopping the sale of ammunition was received and communicated to the Indians, it was not difficult to obtain satisfactory information in regard to this trade. But now their suspicions are excited and they have become reticent. Some few prominent men have talked freely with me and their statements are here recorded. On the 28th ultimo I bad interviews with Bad Hand, a chief of the Uncpapas, and John Grass, a chief of the Blackfeet Sioux, to the prob-able truth of which my interpreter, Mr. E. H. Allison, has made affi-davit. Two Bears, one of the leading men is interpreted as saying that .32 MILITARY EXPEDITION AGAINST THE SIOUX INDIANS. "His young men had bought all the cartridges they wanted at the trader's, i.e., Mr. J. R. Casselberry's; a number of Indians had bought cartridges to trade with the hostiles; his men had not; the hostile camp is about one hundred miles from here; some lodges had gone out to hostile camp to trade ammunition and annuity goods; an Uncpapa Indian only Decem-ber 27th apologized to Mrs. Galpin, an Uncpapa woman, engaged in In-dian trade, for not bringing his hides to her for sale, because he could buy ·Cartridges at the trader's, which he wanted to take to the hostile camp and trade for furs." Osica, Bad Wound, states he bought center-primed cartridges, caliber .50, at trader's by the box, 20 in a box, at $1 per box. He has bought cart-ridges at different times, and bas seen other Indians buy ammunition at the same place." Bad Hand (a watchman at the agency, he calls himself) came to my office, seeking an interview in reference to a false report of an arrest by the military of an Indian. He stated, "four lodges left for the hostile ·camp about four weeks ago. He had received (from the winter killing of beeves) ten hides. They get from the trader four one-dollar tickets; for these they get anything they want in the store. They get fifty rounds of ammunition and one dollar in goods for four tickets. Until the order stopping the sale of ammunition, he bought for his tickets nothing but ammunition. Before they raised the price of hides, (NOTE.-Lately, as a special inducement, the trad.er promised to pay ·$4 instead of $3 and $3:! per hide,) they got fifty cartridges for two dollars and a half; since they raised the price (of hides) they get fewer cart-ridges for the same money. Any body can get cartridges. Cartridges are all the same price to chiefs and private individuals. The trader sells a great many. That is the reason why Mrs. Galpin, who does not .sell ammunition, does not get more hides. The trader published it vigorously at the killing of beef that he would sell them ammuni-tion; this is the inducement he offers to secure hides. The agent has been trying to get Indians to go out and invite (meaning induce) Sitting Bull to come into this agency, but has not succeeded yet. {NOTE.-This is true. (Signed) Poland.) He, Bad Hand, will go to bring Sitting Bull in, provided the whites will not make an expedition into that country in the spring or summer. In the trade with hostiles, ammunition is the grand thing ; their trade is different from the white man's. Indians go out and make presents of annuity-goods, ammuni-tion, and sugar and coffee to the hostiles, who load them down in return with furs. Indians from this agency make more or less trips to the hostile camp. The hostiles get in this way arms and ammunition from a number of points from agencies and traders above here." Since this statement was made a soldier informed me that Bad Hand voluntarily told him he was coming to see me and tell me that he had overheard a party of young men, U ncpapas and Blackfeet, planning to leave for the hostile camp in four or five days, after having first stolen horses and mules from the Government corral at this post. That Bad Hand did not tell me may be explained. During the interview we were not alone at any one time, and he feared witnesses might tell his people whatever he communicated. John Grass, a chief of the Blackfeet Sioux, in his interview with me on the 28th, said: '' Hostile Indians coming to this agency are distributed among the Indians themselves, or attached to the several bands. Rations are divided among them after they are drawn from the agent; beef-hides are similarly divided. They sell them at the traders' and get what car-tridges they want. The hostiles who came to this agency under Gaul, MILITARY EXPEDITION AGAINST THE SIOUX INDIANS. 33 last spring, have done this. (NOTE.-I know that Agent Palmer counted their lodges, and I believe thereafter issued rations to Gaul for eighteen to twenty lodges, and neither Gaul nor the majority of his band are now here. (Signed) Poland.) This party will all of them join Sitting Bull when the winter breaks up. Indians have been allowed to purchase cartridges at the store. Many are engaged in this trade or exchange of presents with the hostile camp. Were it not for the privilege of buy-ing cartridges at the store (meaning J. R. Casselberry's) a great many more beef-hides would be sold at Mrs. Galpin's by Indians.'' Respecting the probable truth of the foregoing statements, I invite attention to the affidavit of the interpreter, and wi1l add that there are no more reliable men among the Sioux than the three chiefs named. It is only necessary to refer to the correspondence hereto attached (part original and part official copy) to discover evidence showing that this trade has been conducted under a general authority, and not under the close per-sonal control of the agent. The agent ch~oses to say that the bulk of the cartridges sold by the trader to Indians was expended in killing their beef. It is impossible fol' me to obtain access to the trader-account with the agent, which I firmly believe will show that the agent bought, with contingent fund or Government funds, every cartridge so used; and I am confirmed in this belief by the fact that at one killing of beef which occurred here last summer, the agent's son, then acting agent, bought the cartridges himself, and took them in a sack to the beef-cor-ral. If such were the only sale of ammunition to Indians, the trader would certainly not get one-tenth of the hides he now purchases, and which are now sold to him, becauRB from him cartridges can be ob-tained. I here submit an item which will, perhaps, show how extensive this trade might be. Six thousand beeves are supposed to be sent to this agency annually, yielding 6,000 bides. The trader pays for each bide, say, 50 rounds of am munition. Deduct, say, one-half for bides sold to Mrs. Galpin; then 3,000 x 50 = 150,000 (one lmndred and fifty thou-sand) rounds of ammunition would correctly represent the total sales. I am of the opinion, however, that 100,000 (one hundred thousand) rounds of ammunition is nearer the total of his annual sales. If we sup-pose that 25 per ceut. of this amount is taken out to Sitting Bull for trade, and a proportional amount from ot,her agencies, can we wonder how the lwstiles procure arms and ammunition~ 1\frs. Galpin informed me that a chief, "Little \¥ ound," left tuis agency about three weeks ago for the hostile mtmp, and boasted of the amount of ammunition he had to take out with him. Respectfully inviting attention to the accompanying correspondence, I remain, your obedient servant, J. S. POLAND, Captain Sixth Infantry, Command-ing. N. B.-December 30, 9 o'clock p. m. I have not yet received an an-swer to my letter, (see Exhibit'~ N.") Wllen received, if I find my re-quest denied, I shall then deem it necessary, and place a guard over the store, and report the fact b.v telegraph immediately. Very respectfully, &c., .T. S. POLAND, Captain Sixth Infantry, Commanding. The As.siS'I'ANT AD.JUT.A.NT-GENER.A.L, Department of Dakota, Saint Pav,l, lJ!Iinn. H.Ex.184-3 34 MILITARY EXPEDITION AGAINST THE SIOUX INDIANS. A. Personally appeared before me E. H. Allison, this 30th day of De-cember, 1875, who, being duly sworn, deposes and says that the state-ments of Two Bears, a chief of the Yanktonn:tis Sioux, Bad Hand, of the Uncpapa, John Grass, of the Blackfeet Sioux, and Osica, of Stand-ing RockAgency, as herein reported by Capt. J. S. Poland, Sixth In-fantry, are and have been truly and correctly interpreted by him, and that he believes said statement to have been truthfully made, and with no intent to deceive either himself or Capt. J. S. Poland, Sixth Infantry, and to the best of his knowledge he believe~ the same to be true. E. H. ALLISON. Sworn and subscribed to this the 30th day of December, 1875, before me, S. S. Turner, a notary public for the Territory of Dakota, at Stand-ing Rock Agency, Dak. [SEAL.] S. S. TURNER, Notary Public. B. [Correspondence w~th J. R. Casselberry.] HEADQUARTERS UNITED STA'L'ES MILITARY STATION, Standing Rock, DaJc., December 26, 1875. SIR: Orders this day received from headquarters Department of Da-kota direct me to "stop the sale of ammunition to Indians" by you or your agents at this agency. You are herein respectfully notifieu of this order, and that str-ict compliance with it will be demanded and en-forced. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, J. S. POLAND, Captain Sixth Infantry, Commanding. Messrs. J. R. CASSELBERRY & Oo., Traders . . A true copy : GEO. B. WALKER, Second Lieutenant Sixth Infantry, Post-Adjuta.nt. 0. STANDING RUCK INDIAN AGENCY, DAK., December 27, 1875. SIR: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your communi-cation of yesterday, noti(ying me that you had that day recei ve1l orders from headquarters Department of Dakota, direetin_g yon to ~top the sale of ammunition to Indiattle-ground, 16 miles; thence 3 miles, and crossed to right bank, aud camped one m:ile below crossing; total, 20 miles. Three cavalry-horses were drowned at this camp by the ice breaking in while wateriug. JJrfarch 2.-Marclled down right bank to '' Pompey's Pillar," 20 miles. March 3.-Crossed river and marched on "Stanley's" road of 1873, 20 miles, and camped about 6 miles from the ri\er. MILITARY EXPEDITION AGAINST THE SIOUX INDIANS. 51 Ma1·ch 4.-Marched to river, 6 miles; crossed to right bank; thence down 2 miles ; crossed to left bank ; thence down left bank 8 miles to Fort Pease; total, 16 miles. ll1a,rch 5.-Hemained in camp at Fort Pease. The original garrison (.lOn~isted of forty-six men, of whom six were killed and eight wounded. Twenty-one men had left the fort and gone through to the settlements by night. I found in the fort ei~hteen white men and one negro. ~March 6.-The fort was evacuated, and all the men started back with my command. I brought away all the valuable property belonging to the men at Pease and took it to the mouth of Stillwater, where there is no danger of hostile Indians at present, and unloaded it. I saw no Indians, aud but small parties are about. My scouts report the Indians have removed tlleir villages frmn the Big and Little Horn Hi vers and are camped on the Hoselmd. Tile command marched back 8 miles and nt necessity for it. P. H. SHERIDAN, Lieutenant- Genentl. MILITARY EXPEDITIUN AGAINST THE SIOUX INDIANS. 5fi [Telegram.] HEADQUARTERS _jliLITARY DIVISION OF THE MISSOURI, • Chwago, Ill., Jlfay 31, 1876. General E. D. TOWNSEND. lVashington, D. C.: The followiug just receiYed from the commanding officer, Fort Lar-amie: ''Egan returned from scout via Red Cloud. night of 28th. On 7th, he met on Powuer River trail al>ont one hundre'e the honor to transmit for your information copy of com-munication from the commanding officer, Standing Hock agency, stating· that another party of Brules and OgalaHas from Red Uloud and Spotted Tail agencies are on their way to attack the Rees at Fort Berthold, &c. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, H. T. CROSBY, Chief Clerk, For the Secretary of War, in his absenee. "The Ron. SECRE'fARY OF 1'HE INTERIOR. HEADQUARTERS MILITARY STATION. Standing Rock, Dale., June 21, l876. SIR: I obtained the following information to-day from two Indians just 1·eturned from the war party against the Rees: After crossing the South Fork of Cannon Ball River, a council of war was held, when it was de-termined to make an attack on Fort Abraham Lincoln. The party has dwindled down to seventy-odd, forty from Cheyenne River agency, including a petty chief named "The Yearling," and thirty from Spotted Tail's. They were to leave camp on South Fork direct for Lincoln Mon-day morning. Have notified the commanding officer by scout. Very respectfully, J·our obedient servant, J. S. POLAND, Captain Sixth Infantry, Commanding. The ASSISTANT ADJUTANT-GENERAL, Department of Dakota, Saint Paul, lJfinn. HEADQUARTERS FORT ABRAHAM LINCOLN, DAK., June 27, 1876. SIR: I have the honor to report that a party of Indians supposed to be a war party made their appearance in front the line at this post on the morning of 25th instant. 'Ihe number of Indians variously estimated from twelve to forty. A few shell were thrown at them when they dis-appeared. Scouts followed them to Heart River, but nothing has since been seen or heard of the hostile party. The scouts report were unable to trail them. Respectfully, your obedient servant, vVM. S. McCASKEY, Captain Twentieth Infantry, Commanding Post. The ASSISTANT ADJUTAN'l'-GENERAL, Department of Dctkota, Saint Paul, Minn. HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF DAKOTA, Saint Paul, lJfinn., June 30, 1876. Official copies respectfully forwarded to headquarters Military D l vision o f the Missouri for the infurmation of the Lieutenant-General. GEO. D. RUGGLES, Assistant Adjutant- General, 'in the absence of the Dept. Commander. MILITARY EXPEDITION AGAINST THE SIOUX INDIANS. 63 [First indorsement.] HEADQUARTERS :MILITARY DIVISION OF THE MISSOURI, Chicago, July 3, 1876. Respectfully forwarded to the .Adjutant-General of the Army. In the absence of the Lieutenant-General, R. 0. DRUM, Assistant Adjutant-General. WAR DEPARTMENT, lVashington City, July 12, 1876. SIR : I have the honor to transmit, for your information, copy of cor-respondence relative to a war party of Indians from Cheyenne and Spotted Tail agencies making their appearance at Fort Abraham Lin-coln, Dak., for the purpose of making an attack on that post. Very respectfully, The Ron. SECRETARY OF THE INTERIOR. 0 J. D. CAMERON, Secretary of War.

Defence of Nebraska Frontier Settlements

Abstract

Extracted data

Defence of Nebraska Frontier Settlements

Abstract

Extracted data

Related items

Related items