Grenville Dodge

As for fighting qualities the savages proved themselves as brave as any of our men.

We must either whip the Indians and whip them badly or be whipped ourselves.

We already saw that we were greatly outnumbered, and that only desperate fighting would save our scalps.

Not a man but realized that the charge into the village without a moment's hesitation was our only salvation.

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…

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…

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.

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.

This we can accomplish successfully, for the Indians will treat with soldiers, as they fear them and have confidence in their word.

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…

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.

It is possible that in a few of the tribes there are some chiefs and warriors who desire to be friendly, but each day reduces the number of these, and they even are used by the hostile tribes to deceive us as to their intentions and keep…

A large and effective cavalry force under a good commander must be sent here without delay, or the large number of trains now on the plains will be destroyed or captured.

I cannot approve the manner in which the Indians have been treated, and have no faith in them, nor will I allow such treatment as shown at the Big Sandy fight.

Whatever may be the desire of the Government, I will lend all my energies to carry it out and make every officer and man under me do the same.

It must be evident to the Government that I cannot be making war on the Indians while other parties are at the same time making peace, as has been the case so far.

When we get down there if the Indians are so anxious for peace, they will have an opportunity to show it, and we can make an agreement with them that will stop hostilities until the properly authorized authorities conclude a lasting peace.

I desire very much to have peace with the Indians, but I do think we should punish them for what they have done, and that they should feel our power and have respect for us.

This, no doubt, was one of the principal reasons that in fifteen years, more or less, of intercourse with them, traveling through their country both during the times they were hostile and at peace, that I escaped many of the misfortunes…

That brought me respect in all my dealings with them, and I treated them with respect, courtesy, and consideration, and demanded the same from them.

My own experience on the plains led me to be just as watchful and just as vigilant when I knew the Indians were not near me as I was when they were in sight.

I was supposed to be, by the Indians of the plains, a person of great power and great moment.

I never could convince them that I could not go to the telegraph poles the same as they did and tell them what was said, or send a message for them to some chief far away, as they had often seen me use my traveling-instrument and cut into…

None of our campaigns have been successful that have not been prepared to follow the Indians day and night, attacking them at every opportunity until they are worn out, disbanded, or forced to surrender, which is the sure result of such a…

Their life and methods are not accustomed to it, and the Indians can be driven by very inferior forces by continually watching, attacking, and following.