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Show XXlI REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF IN'DIAN AFFAIRS. These papers on the 17th of July were referred to the. War Depad-ment, and the following reply was made thereto : Wnn DEPARTMENT, Washington City, Begust 13, 1879. SIR: Referring to your letter of the 18th ult,imo, relative to affairs at White River Agenay, Colorado, and depredations committed by Indiaua belonging thereto, I have the honor to state that the complajnta therein alluded to have been duly inveatigsted, and I wonld invite your attention to the inclosed copies of repoi'ta in regard to them from'brny officera and others. Very respectfully, your obedient ser'vant, G. W. McCRARY, Serretwy of War. he on. SE~RET& OR TEE INTERIOR. Copy of indorsements an oommnnioation: (4730, A. G. O., 1879,) dated July 18,1678, from Interior Department, transmitting copy of letter of CommiJsioner of Indian Affairs, dated 17th inatant,with inclosures relating to &aim st the White River Agency, Colorado, and sotion of the Indians at mid agency. [Pirat indorsement.] ~ A D Q E A R T E RO~R THE ARMY, Woelrington, July 28,1679. Respectfully referred to General P. H. Sheridan for investigation and report, retom-ing thwe papers. W. T. SHERMAN, General. [second inaoraement.1 H~anQuARreRsM ILI~ARYD IVISION 0 i THE MISSOURI, Chimgo, July 31, 1EV9. Respe~tfu11re~f erred to the commanding generml Departme~~oft the Platte, for investigation, action, and report. By dommsnd of Lieutenant-General ~b&dnn. M. V. SHERIDAN, Lieutenant-CoWl and Military Secretary. [Third indoraement.1 HEADQUARTERB DEPdS116ENT OR TEX PLATTE, Fort h h a , Neb., Avgust 4, 1879. Respectfully returned to the mistant adjuta?egeneral U. El. A., besdqnertemMili-tsry Division of the Missouri, inviting attention to the report of Maj. T. T. Thorn-burgh, Fourth Infantry, oommnnding Fort Fred Steele, Wyo., and the acoompanying statements of parties who were in the viainity, and who were cognizant ,of all the faot8. Major Thornburgh's report with these stiltements sra forwarded herewith. ' Fmm these atstemants it will be seen: 1. That besides killing the game the Indians committed no depredations. 2. That the post commander of Fort Steele, Wyo., did not receive timely information of the presence of the Indians referred to. I ask attention to the fact that it ie impossible for the military, placed ss they are at such great distance from the agencies, to prevent Indiana fromleaving without authority, mlees wsmiog in due tims by the Indim authoritiw b giyen. Nor can a p d co mmander force them to ieturn without running the risk of bringing on a war, for whroh he wonld be held socountable. For this reasan the post commsnder is required to refer the matter to higher mili-tary authority, which also in?.olvw delay. Unlear troops *re stntioned at the asen- |
