The Crows and Snakes appear to be friendly, but everything indicates that they too are ready to join in the hostilities, and the latter (the Snakes) are accused of being concerned in the depredations west of the mountains.
Grenville Dodge
The Public Record
Grenville Mellen Dodge was a Union Army general on the frontier and a pioneering figure in military intelligence during the Civil War, who served as Ulysses S. Grant's intelligence chief in the Western Theater. He served in several notable assignments, including command of the XVI Corps during the Atlanta campaign.
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In my opinion there is but one way to effectually terminate these Indian troubles; viz., to push our cavalry into the heart of their country from all directions, to punish them whenever and wherever we find them, and force them to respect…
This we can accomplish successfully, for the Indians will treat with soldiers, as they fear them and have confidence in their word.
Any treaty made now by civilians, Indian agents, or others, will, in my opinion, amount to nothing, as the Indians in all the tribes openly express dissatisfaction with them and contempt for them.
The friendly Indians say that whenever the hostile bands are made aware of our ability and determination to whip them, they will readily and in good faith treat with our officers and comply with any demands we may make.
The cavalry now moving into the Indian country will, I doubt not, if allowed to proceed and carry out the instructions given them, accomplish the object designed by bringing about an effectual peace and permanent settlement of our Indian…
I had received notice from Washington that the Interior Department had information that these Indians were peaceable and would not join in the campaigns; but, being on the ground, I knew better, because we were capturing them in nearly all…
Not a man but realized that the charge into the village without a moment's hesitation was our only salvation.
We already saw that we were greatly outnumbered, and that only desperate fighting would save our scalps.
We must either whip the Indians and whip them badly or be whipped ourselves.
As for fighting qualities the savages proved themselves as brave as any of our men.
Colonel Cole should have parked his train, placed it in a defensive position under a good guard, and then mobilized the rest of his force, and, with what rations he had, gone after the Indians, giving them battle and forcing the fight with…
Four hundred ragged, bare-footed men, emaciated with fatigue, who had met and worsted the enemy on three several occasions, marched up in the face of a garrison of 2,000 or more.
He was a splendid officer and it was through his good judgment and his ability as a soldier that he saved the whole outfit.
But they struck the wrong man in Captain Williford, who, comprehending the situation, attacked the Indians.
I will settle these Indian difficulties before spring satisfactorily to the Government, and bring about a peace that will be lasting.
The Indians' trails all cross at or near it, and it will have good effect hereafter in holding in check Indians.
On General Connor's arrival at Fort Connor he wired me the results of the campaign and protested strenuously against the order stopping it, saying he was then in condition and position to close it, conquer the Indians, and force a lasting…
On August 28th, General Connor surprised Medicine Man's band of Indians on Tongue River; killed fifty; captured village, all winter provisions, and 600 horses--all the stock they had.
To accomplish this I sent out the best-posted guides (using chiefs, sub-chiefs, half-breeds of friendly Indians) that I knew on the plains, to each of the hostile tribes asking them to come into Fort Laramie.
I instructed the messengers to tell them that if any of their people had gone to the Missouri River for peaceable purposes to let them go, but to bring in all that were left, providing they felt disposed to settle without delay.
I sent them word that if they did not come in and settle they would find that our summer campaign was only a taste of what they would get this winter, for we would give them no rest.
I knew that would deter any white man going in there, and as long as they kept the peace, we would.
While this was a horrible event, the Indians, under the treaty, were fully justified in it.
In this battle Van Dorn had put twice as many men into the fight as Curtis did, and still was defeated.
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