ST. LOUIS, MO., June 17, 1865.
_Major-General John Pope, Commanding Military Division of the Missouri,
St. Louis_:
GENERAL: There is no doubt but that all, or nearly all, the tribes of
Indians east of the Rocky Mountains from the British Possessions on
the north to the Red River on the south are engaged in open
hostilities against the Government. 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 us quiet. 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. 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 our power and to sue for peace. Then let the
military authorities make informal treaties with them for a cessation
of hostilities. 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. If we can keep citizen agents and traders from
among them we can, I am confident, settle the matter this season, and
when settled I am clearly of the opinion that these Indians should be
dealt with entirely by competent commissioned officers of the Army,
whom they will respect and who will not only have the power to make
them comply with the terms of the agreements made, but will also have
the power and authority to compel troops, citizens and others to
respect implicitly and to comply strictly with the obligations assumed
on our part. 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 difficulties.