[Telegram.] WALLULA, WASH., August 29, 1878. ADJUTANT-GENERAL, Military Division Pacific, Presidio : Your telegram of twenty-eighth received. The division commander is certainly under a misapprehension of my acts and instructions. I neither wish to exceed my instructions nor do the duties of the Indian Bureau. I meant by the Harney region the territory over which we passed beyond the limits of the reserve, northwest, west, and south to Stein Mountain, now full of stock-farms and settlers' cabins. I have sent myself over a hundred prisoners direct to McDermitt during the campaign, and thought it best to regard all as prisoners, as much as anything for the protection of the innocent against the prevailing terror-stricken hostility of the white people. There is no agent or employé or mouthful of food at the Malheur Agency. I gave my opinion, but if deemed presumptuous I cannot object to its suppression, but I utterly disclaim any intention to do anything but my simple military duty. The decision of Secretary Schurz was transmitted to me by the division commander and, as I believed, put all these Columbia Indians under my care. I am glad the division commander does not so interpret the decision; it is not with me and I only bear it in my memory. A thousand settlers are in trepidation from Moses and the Indians now with and near him. If I could say to these Indians, the government will allow you permanently to occupy the land where yon have always dwelt, I think war could be saved; if not, I very much fear that next spring, if not sooner, there will be another expensive war. As the lives of the settlers will be at stake, I thought it right to ask the authority which is now denied. My interview with Moses can do no good now except the effect of keeping my pledge made as a military diversion at the beginning of the Bannack outbreak. HOWARD, Commanding Department. Received at Headquarters Military Division Pacific and Department of California August 29, 1878. [Telegram.] ASSISTANT ADJUTANT-GENERAL, WALLULA, WASH., August 29, 1878. Division of the Pacific, Presidio San Francisco: Forsyth telegraphs, August 27, that Drum reports his camp on 25th on Beaver Creek, near falls on North Fork Payette, 90 miles from Boise. He found and buried bodies of William Munday, Thomas Haley, Jacob Groseclose, killed Tuesday, the 20th. Also found, 8 miles from falls, bodies of Daniel Crooks, of Mount Idaho, and Wilhelm, of Idaho City, who were killed Wednesday morning by same party of Indians. Fears other prospectors have met like fate. Drum has scouting parties out; his guides had lost Indians' trail at time of writing. Says that five buck Indians committed the murders. Their trail is five days old. Drum's supplies will be out on September 5, Twenty-five days' supplies and L Company, First Cavalry have been sent him. I am inclined to believe murders were committed by Nez Percé Indians from White Bird's band. HOWARD, Commanding Department. HEADQUARTERS MILITARY DIVISION OF THE PACIFIC SIR: The division commander asks if while in command at Camp McDermitt you J. C. KELTON, Capt. H. C. HASTBOUCK, Fourth Artillery, Presidio San Francisco, Cal. Lieut. Col., A. A. G. HEADQUARTERS MILITARY DIVISION PACIFIC AND DEPARTMENT OF CALIFORNIA, Presidio San Francisco, Cal., August 30, 1878. SIR: When hostilities broke out in the division, about one hundred and fifty friendly Piutes sought shelter and protection at Camp McDermitt, and to keep them from depre dating and afford them the protection they sought they were kept at that post and, by the authority of the War Department, subsisted. The number increased till in August three hundred and sixty-six were there, fifty-eight of whom had formerly been at the Malheur Agency, but had refused to go to war and had separated from the hostiles. Thirty-five others were from the vicinity of Silver City, many of whom had been working for settlers there and were known to have been friendly during hostilities. While it is possible some of these Indians were with the hostiles, the great majority were friendly, and some exerted themselves to save the lives and property of the whites at personal risk. During the summer, in order to subsist and to supply their winter's food, these Indians have been accustomed to scatter over the country to hunt, fish, and gather camasroot, and work for farmers and ranchmen. During the past summer they have been prevented from doing any of these things, and so have not been able to make any provisions for this winter. I therefore recommend that they be subsisted by the government this winter at McDermitt or such place as the Indian Department may select. General Howard informs me there is no agent or employé, nor a mouthful of food at the Malheur Agency. All the Indians of Eagan's and Oit's bands formerly at that agency who have come under his control, he regards as prisoners of war and has sent to Camp Harney. He claims that he has 600 prisoners, including those at Camp McDermitt. Of the latter, however, none appear to have been captured by our troops and few could have moved at all with the hostiles, and still fewer could have committed any hostile act. He asks instructions what to do with his prisoners and suggests they be sent to the Indian Territory or to the Lummi Agency, Puget Sound. I have instructed him to furnish detailed lists of them and hold them where they now are till the question of their disposal is decided by those in authority. I present the subject now and request its speedy consideration and early reply to my recommendation that food be furnished this winter to the Piutes at Camp McDermitt who have lost their summer's opportunities to provide for themselves. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, IRVIN MCDOWELL, Major-General, Commanding Division and Department. ADJUTANT-GENERAL, U. S. A., HEADQUARTERS, CAMP BIDWELL, CAL., August 31, 1878. SIR: I have the honor to report that a party consisting of 57 Piute Indians belonging to the Malheur Agency came into Warner Valley, Oregon, on the 27th instant, having with them eleven American horses and one mule (no mark on mule). I at once sent out after them and brought them in, arriving at the post yesterday (August 30). These Indians are just in from the Umatilla country and tell me that they found these horses and mule "running loose," and that the Bannocks when they left this country (Umatilla) left a great number of American horses, and they-these Piutes— could have picked up five hundred horses had they wished to do so. The reason these Indians give for coming in here is because they were afraid to go back to their agency, as they all belonged to Egan's band, and were with him when he was killed by the Umatilla Indians. I am, sir, with respect, your obedient servant, ASSISTANT ADJUTANT-GENERAL, JNO. M. NORVELL, Captain Twelfth Infantry, Commanding Post. Headquarters Military Division Pacific and Department of California, San Francisco, Cal. Received at Headquarters Military Division Pacific and Department of California September 3, 1878. HEADQUARTERS MILITARY DIVISION OF THE PACIFIC SIR: I am instructed by the division commander to request you, as an officer recently in command at Camp McDermitt, Nev., to inform him, with such particularity as you may be able, of the number and status of Indians in the vicinity of Camp McDermitt while you were stationed at that post, what number of those now there, if any, were absent during the recent hostilities, and what number, if any, rendered service in aid of the troops or of citizens against the hostiles. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, B. B. KEELER, Captain Eighteenth Infantry, A. D. C., Acting Assistant Adjutant-General. Capt. H. C. HASBROUCK, Fourth Artillery, Presidio, Cal. HEADQUARTERS MILITARY DIVISION OF THE PACIFIC AND DEPARTMENT OF CALIFORNIA, Presidio San Francisco, Cal., August 26, 1878. SIR: In addition to the request made of you by the division commander, communicated in my note of this date, I am instructed to ask that you report at what time, in your opinion, the furnishing of rations to the Indians by the United States in the vicinity of Camp McDermitt can be discontinued. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, Capt. HENRY C. HASBROUCK, Fourth Artillery, Presidio of San Francisco, Cal. [Telegram.] CAMP BIDWELL, CAL., September 8, 1878. TOWNSEND, Adjutant-General, Washington, D. C.: [Through Headquarters Military Division of the Pacific, Presidio San Francisco, Cal.] Will you grant me authority to issue rations under the provisions of G. O. No. one hundred, of October twenty-seventh, eighteen hundred and seventy-seven, to Ochoho's band Piute Indians, now living upon this military reservation? BAILEY, Captain. Received at Headquarters Military Division of the Pacific and Department of California September 12, 1878. COMMANDING OFFICER, [Telegram.] HEADQUARTERS MILITARY DIVISION PACIFIC AND DEPARTMENT OF CALIFORNIA, Presidio San Francisco, Cal., September 10, 1878. Department Columbia, Fort Vancouver, W. T.: Order companies named by you, also Miller's, Rodney's, and part of Campbell's, so soon as they can be relieved, to San Francisco. Send all Indian prisoners to Harney, also any Indians at McDermitt formerly on the Malheur Reservation or who are known to have been with hostiles this summer. They will be kept there till disposed by the Interior Department. KELTON, Assistant Adjutant-General. [Telegram.] COMMANDING OFFICER, HEADQUARTERS MILITARY DIVISION PACIFIC AND DEPARTMENT OF CALIFORNIA, Presidio San Francisco, Cal., September 12, 1878. Department Columbia, Fort Vancouver, W. T.: Referring to telegram of September 10th instant in respect to sending Indians from McDermitt to Harney, division commander will give the requisite orders. It is possible a company of cavalry should be at McDermitt when it is attempted; the division commander therefore wishes you to send Wagner's or McGregor's company to that post without delay. KELTON, Assistant Adjutant-General. [Telegram.] FORT VANCOUVER, WASH., September 13, 1878. ADJUTANT-GENERAL, Division Pacific, San Francisco: Report from Camp Harney of ninth, Chief Hatch, Stein's Mountain, surrendered yesterday, twenty-four Indians in all; four lodges still out, probably gone to Bidwell. Ranchmen returned to their homes; depredations have ceased. Forsyth reports Lemhi Valley, September first. Green sent Wagner on fresh Indian trail twenty-fourth ultimo through Permission Valley. Surprised small camp Indians drying beef. Indians escaped; being closely pursued they scattered, trail lost. Lieutenant Wilson, the 25th, captured three Weiser Indians. Forsyth expects Green's entire command at Soldier's Creek, Big Camas, by 14th instant, having been scouting in every direction on small trails. Wagner and McGregor are ordered to McDermitt as directed. Miller's command to San Francisco via McDermitt. HOWARD, Commanding Department. Received at Headquarters Military Division Pacific and Department of California September 13, 1878. [Telegram.] FORT VANCOUVER, WASH., September 19, 1878. ADJUTANT-GENERAL, Division Pacific, San Francisco: The following dispatch from General Crook to-day: "Your dispatch received. Depredations referred to are being committed about where the line of the three departments of Dakota, Platte, and Columbia come together. I have two companies of cavalry, all I can raise, operating in that section. Will do the best I can with these, but will be very glad if you will endeavor to assist. (Signed) George Crook, brigadier-general, commanding." I think Green, with Sumner and Carr temporarily added to his post command, after a little rest and recruitment, will be sufficient for this co-operation. Our cavalry is much jaded. HOWARD, Commanding Department. Received at Headquarters Military Division Pacific and Department of California September 19, 1878. [Telegram.] VANCOUVER, WASH., October 3, 1878. ADJUTANT-GENERAL, Military Division Pacific, San Francisco, Cal: Captain Miles reports, from near Pendleton, an Indian murdered, probably by white men, White Horse Creek, on or near Umatilla Reservation. Other Indians, going to Columbia River with permission to secure food, fired on by white men; a horse wounded. HOWARD, Commanding Department. Received at Headquarters Military Division Pacific and Department of California October 3, 1878, and copy forwarded by mail to the Adjutant-General of the Army same date. 9.-Report of Brig. Gen. O. O. Howard not received in time to be inserted in its proper place. 10.-REPORT OF COL. O. B. WILLCOX. HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF ARIZONA, Prescott Barracks, Ariz., September 13, 1878. SIR: I have the honor to submit a report of operations in this department for the last fiscal year. I assumed command on the 7th of March ultimo. Previously to this time, under my predecessor, Brevet Major-General Kautz, scouting operations were pursued against the Chiricahua and other renegade Indians from the San Carlos Reservation. Lieutenant Rucker, Sixth Cavalry, struck the Warm Spring Indians off this reservation in September. A band of renegade Chiricahuas, which had given much trouble, was struck by Lieutenant Rucker, commanding Company C, Indian Scouts, accompanied by Lieutenant Touey, Sixth Cavalry, and a detachment of soldiers, in the month of December, and severely punished. There were left of this band from 80 to 100 warriors who, with their families, were thus forced to take refuge in the mountains, and such was the terror of their name and fear of their raids that whole valleys and ranges of mountains and roads in Southeastern Arizona were practically abandoned by the whites except under the escort of troops. My first military measure was to combine scouting operations under one head and to move the frontier to the southern boundary line. Major Compton, Sixth Cavalry, was placed in command. Lieutenant Carter, Sixth Cavalry, with a company of Indian scouts, was ordered to march from Camp Apache to Fort Bayard and co-operate with Rucker's company moving southeast from Camp Bowie, while Lieutenant Hanna's company from Camp Huachuca co-operated on Rucker's right. A camp of supply was established for scouting parties at the old San Bernardino Ranch, almost on the Mexican line, and thus the hostiles were fairly fenced out. The camp of supply was afterward moved back some miles for convenience of wood, water, and grazing, and is now located on White River, at the southern end of the Chiricahua Mountains, where it answers all the purposes intended. Operations have been and are still continued on this pivot or base with such happy effects that not a single Indian atrocity has since been committed nor a white man's life been taken by the Indians. Up to a recent period there was a tacit understanding with the Mexican troops across the border by which the boundary-line was ignored in the pursuit of the common enemy and in following the trail, and my movement of a camp to the frontier was answered by the near establishment of military posts by the Mexicans, and more energetic efforts on their part to hunt out the Apache. Trading communications between Tucson and Mexican frontier towns were resumed, and on our side the lately hostile country soon become the scene of peaceful pursuits, ranches taken up, and mining districts formed, busy with explorers and miners. Not only ancient tradition, but recent experience, points to this now peaceful Southeastern Arizona as one of the richest of mineral regions. By a subsequent act of the Central Government of Mexico, communicated through the governor of Arizona, Hon. John P. Hoyt, troops of either side are now forbidden to cross the line. But so fairly have the Mexican troops near the border acted toward us that I am disposed to attribute the change to some policy of the central government disconnected from causes on this immediate frontier. My troops have therefore been instructed to observe the line, and so long as the Apaches make no raids from Mexico into this department I shall continue to |