 | Notes Among the Indians |  |
HEADQUARTERS, SOUTHERN INDIAN TERRITORY,
FORT COBB, November 10, 1868.
Lieut.-Gen. SHERMAN, U. S. A.
* * * After the promulgation of that order (General Order No. 4), the Cheyennes and Arapahoes included in my district became hostile, and I have considered them since that time as beyond my authority, until these shall be turned over by General Sheridan, who is now dealing with them. * * *
Had there been an agent here with good and active assistants, as provided by law, these Indians, the Comanches and Kiowas, would probably have never left their Reservations. They do not yet know the limits of their country, nor the place for their ultimate self-maintenance on it. Colonel Leavenworth established himself at a place singularly unsuited for their permanent home, and seemed to do nothing looking toward establishing the Government scheme of colonization. I would call attention also to the facts just stated as equally true with the Cheyennes and Arapahoes and their agent. He established himself at Fort Larned, a hundred miles north of their Reservation, and the Indians were invited there, most of them going against their will. Had they been placed where they belong, or had the agent, with the assistants provided by the Government, gone and remained there, the Indians would have remained, and the present war in all probability would not have taken place.
The Indians here, account for the present war as follows: Being about Larned, where abundant access was had to whiskey, a war party went to attack the Pawnees, their old foes, and were beaten; when returning, and on the settlements, one of them rode to a home for something to eat, without any intention of doing harm. A man came to the door, and ordered him away. The Indian not knowing what was said to him, continued to ride toward the house, and the citizen came out with a shot-gun and fired on him. At that the fracas commenced, and war followed. It is evident that it was not premeditated, as the Cheyennes were trading away their arms just issued by their agent in large numbers, up to the day of the outbreak. * * * * * *
| Notes Among the Indians | |