OCR Text |
Show As was anticipated, a strong Union sentiment was found to kist among the Indians remaining in the Indian country. This was plvmptly manifested by t l ~ eac cession of an entire regiment of Cherokees to oyr forces. These volun-teers are still in the service of the United States, having accompanied their brethren on the retreatjust mentioned. By tlle withdrawal of the troops, accom- - p a ~ e dby so many of their warriors and bra>.es, the Union families would be left at the mercy of their inveterate foes, who would not he slow to wreak ven-geance upon them for their loyalty, and tllus a second flight of destitute men, womenrand children became necessary from that unfortunate country, and has added nearly two thousand to the number now being fed and cared for in the south of Kansas. This retreat was, in d l respects, unfortunate, and its neces-sity most keenly regretted and deplored by the loyal Indians. It is due to the men composing the I n d i a regiments of this expedition to state that all accounts concur in awarding the highest praise to their soldierly bearing in battles, ill camp, and upon the march. They are represented as obedient, hardy, a11d brave, and an honor to their race. A second campaign into the Indian country is in progress, and there is every reason to believe that it will prove more successful than the former, and will result in thp restoration of the national authority, and in enabling these dis-tressed fugitives to return very shortly. to theinhomes. It may, however, be found best that they should remain in their present location until' spring, on account of the difficulty of transporting provisions so great a distance during the winter, and the suspensio~lo f river navigation, it heing understood that, in consequence of a severe drought in that country,.the crops of last season were C very short, and that the country has been desolated by the ravages of the rebels, so that after their return they will require assistance until they shall have had time to provide for tl~eirw ants. ,. The expense incurred in aiding the refugees has thus far amounted to about one hundred and ninety-three thousand dollars, which, as elsewhere stated, has been paid from the annnikies withheld from southern tribes, on account of their participation in the rebellion. As this fund is not common to the tribea, some of them h a ~ n gno interest therein, and inasmuch as, by the reipective treaties under which it accrues, (which, so far as the loyal Indians are concerned, must remain practiiably valid,) it is not applicable to the purpose 'of subsistence, this account, upon the restoration of order, will require careful scrutiny, and addi-tional legislation will probably be necessary to secure a just settlement of the same as between the different tribes. I n concluding this subject I fee? that my duty wo~~lbde very imperfectly 65 done should I fail to ask for these. loyal, suffering, and destitute Indians the most generous and ample legislation on the part of Congress. In view of their unhesitating loyalty, the unparalleled sufferings they have endured, and the . immense sacrifices they have made, it cannot be doubted that Congress sill, upon proper representations, authorize the negotiation of such new treaties with them as will reinstate them in their homes, and, so far as practicable, restore |