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Show 2 RECONNAISSANCE IN THE UTE COUNTRY. HEADC$ UI$ TERS DEPARTMENT OF THE MISSOURI, . / : • / • OFFICE OF THE CHIEF ENGINEER, , - / :: * Fort Leavenworth, Kans., February 21, 3874. SIR : I have jbhe fronor to submit herewith my report on the reconnaissance in the Ute. eountry, made during the season of 1873. # •./•* # • • • • I am/ fcir\ very respectfully, your obedient servant, .. •• E. H. RUFFNER, First Lieutenant Engineers. TU^ A& SISTANT ADJUTANT- GENERAL, • lm\* Department of the Missouri. [ Indorsement.] HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE MISSOURI, Fort Leavenworth, Kans., February 26, 1874. Official copy, respectfully forwarded to the Chief of Engineers, Washington, D. C. JNO. POPE, Brevet Major- General, U. 8. A., Commanding. REPORT OF LIEUTENANT E. H. RUFFNER, CORPS OF ENGINEERS, ON THE RECONNAISSANCE IN THE UTE COUNTRY, SEASON OF 1873. The origin of the reconnaissance was the disturbed relations between thQ Ute Indians and the miners of the so- called San Juan district. This district was reported as embracing the claims located on the Animas River, and on the Lake Fork of the Grand River. These districts, formerly opened and abandoned, had become again the centers of wild speculation, and prospectors were reported as rushing there from all quarters. To the Ute Indians, occupying a consolidated reservation indefinitely large and embracing certainly one portion of the field and possibly all, the prospect of a wild flood of white men occupying their lands without any regard to their guaranteed rights was anything but pleasant, and they ^ arly protested against the invasion. An attempt was made, in the summer of 1872, to secure a cession from them of the disputed territory. It was a failure, however, and when the rush of miners in the spring of 1873 promised to be greater than usual, the remonstrances of the Utes grew to threats during the winter, and they firmly said that the miners must leave or war would follow. The consequences of a war with the powerful and intelligent tribe occupying the entire mountain region of Colorado could not fail to be dire. Of undoubted courage, possessed of all modern improvements in fire- arms, and with the secure fastnesses of the mountains to fall back on, the tribe could well put on a bold front in making their demands- demands undoubtedly just, as being the only fulfillment of a solemn treaty. The Indian Bureau, with justice, requested that the miners be kept out of the limits of the reservation, and the request was granted. Orders were issued to the military authorities to send such force as would be neces- |