Page:U.S. Department of the Interior Annual Report 1873.djvu/57

Rh Cloud's camps. There is no doubt that the majority of the Indians whom General Stanley encountered in Dakota have been at different times in the year on reservations, and have drawn rations from the Government, some occasionally and some regularly. It is to be regretted that these hostiles could not have been met and defeated by military force. Their actual punishment, in the loss of four or five warriors, was so slight that they seem to regard it at least a drawn fight, if not a victory on their side. The Sioux at Red Cloud and Spotted Tail agencies have also assumed impudent manners and made hostile threats, which have prevented the proper administration of agency atfairs. It has been impossible for the agents to issue rations upon actual count of lodges, the Indians refusing to have a count made, and demanding the issue of rations upon the returns brought in by themselves. The agents, not having a force at hand to restrain the demands of the Indians, have been obliged to yield, and, as a, consequence, there has often been over-issue, and the Indians have grown bold by successful resistance to authority. Such a course of treatment is unwise and unsafe.

Hitherto the military have refrained from going on this reservation because of the express terms of the treaty with the Sioux, in which it is agreed that no military force shall be brought over the line. I respectfully recommend that provision be made at once tor placing at each of the Sioux reservations a military force sufficient to enable the agents to enforce respect for their authority, and to conduct agency affairs in an orderly manner. Also, that all Sioux Indians be required to remain on the Sioux reservation, and that any found of, or refusing to come in and treat with the Government, be forced in and brought to obedience by the military. I am confident that steady progress towards civilization is being made at the different agencies among the Sioux, and, if the turbulent element of this nation can he subdued, the question whether they can be induced to live quietly and to adopt habits of civilization, so as to become self-supporting, will be one only of time and patience.

If it should become necessary to reduce the hostile portion of these Sioux to submission by military force, the Government will find faithful and efficient allies in the several Indian tribes around, the Crows, Black Feet, Gros Venues, and Arickarees. From these Indians a sufficient number of scouts can be enlisted to break the power of the Sioux Nation.

The attempt is being made to induce the Northern Arapahoes and Cheyennes to join their respective tribes in the Indian Territory. Those now in the Territory are affiliated to such a degree as to be in one agency, and to occupy together the same reservation. They number 3,500. The union of the northern tribes with them would swell the number to 4,500. There is also a portion of the Cheyennes living upon the staked plains which have never yet come in. They subsist entirely on buffalo, and plunder in Colorado, Mexico, and Texas. Not a little of the raiding in Texas which has been charged upon the Kiowas and Comanches during the past year has been done by these Cheyennes. A company of surveyors, four in number, were murdered by them upon their reservation in June last. The demand made upon the tribe to surrender the murderers has not been complied with, and it is not impossible that, if the Government proceeds to enforce com pliance, war will result.