| OCR Text |
Show 174 Under date of August 16, 1886, United States Special Agent E. E. White, then in charge of both agencies, transmitted to this office a copy of his letter bearing same date to General Crook as to excitement among the Indians on rumors of the approach of the troops; in two letters from him to this office, each dated the 24th of August, 1886, it was stated that the Indians of both agencies were greatly excited by the marching of General Crook with troops into their reservation on the 20th of that month, but that the excitement had almost entirely subsided on their meeting and conversing with the troops. On September 11, 1886, I received, by Department reference, from the Acting Secretary of War a copy of the report of the commanding officer at Fort Du Chesne in regard to his interview with the chief and headmen of the Indians on said reservations, in which he says that the Indians seemed well satisfied with the interview, but were much excited and prepared to fight the day previous on the approach of the troops, but that no trouble was then apprehended. On the 13th of September, 1886, I received, by Department reference, from the Acting Secretary of War a copy of a report from General Crook, in which he states that he found the Indians in a state of great excitement, and that they had been laying in supplies of ammunition, and had sent their families into the mountains, and that in an interview with some of them he told them to tell the others that the troops were there for no hostile purpose. I believe the garrison of Fort Du Chesne is sufficiently strong to hold the Indians under complete control, and to enable the new Indian agent in charge of both of said agencies to enforce the rules and regulations of the office; but if it is found that the present force is not sufficiently large, I will report the fact to the Department and recommend that additional troops be requested of the War Department. The agent will be instructed to use every endeavor possible to promote the advancement of the Utes in education and agriculture, and to endeavor as far as possible to avoid irritating them or giving them any just ground of complaint, |
