Democratic Sentinel, Volume 4, Number 41, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 19 November 1880 — Army Reports. [ARTICLE]

Army Reports.

Washington, Nov. 16, 1880. The annual reports of Gens. Pope and Ord have been made public. Gen. Pope, commanding the Department of the Missouri, gives a det tiled history of the troubles with the Indians in Colorado and New Mexico, which, he states, have not yet been wholly settled. Of the situation in the country, Gen. Pope says:. “ Witli the present military arrangements and prpvisiops of the agreement with the Utes, there will certainly be no trouble this winter.” He attributes the outbreak of Victoria to the determined purpose of the Interior Department to effect the removal of bis band to the San Carlos Agency, Arizona, and says: “I do not know the reasons of the Interior Department for insisting upon the removal; hut certainly they should be cogent to justify the great trouble and severe losses occasioned by the attempt to coerce the removal.” One serious trouble with the Indians has always been in relation to their food, and Gen. Pope recommends to the Secretarv of the Interior that he forbid Indian Agents to punish or seek to control the actions of Indians bv withholding provisions from them. In relation to the attempt of Capt. Paine to colonize in the Indian Territory, Gen. Pope says : “ It is certain Capt. Paine and his followers fully believe in their right to malic such settlement in the Oklahoma District, and are anxious to test the question in the United States courts.” Gen. Ord, commanding the Department of Texas, reports nine men kil’ed, two wounded, and one captured by the Indians, since Oct. 1, 1879. The casualties are three less than the previous year. He reports that the number of desertions has increased. The General recommends that a strong force be maintained on the Rio Grande to preserve order. Gen. McCook recommends that a law be passed by Congress authorizing the enli tinent into the army of 150 competent young meu (one for each military post), to be rated as schoolmasters, with the raids and p-v of commissary sergeant.