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Show REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF INDIAN AFFAIRS. XXIII ciis they cannot knorr in time when Indians are absent by anthofity; nor can they prevent the occurrsnoe of troubles, for whioh they are frequently and most unjustly held responsible. GEORGE CROOK, Brigadier-General, Commanding. HEADQUARTERS FORT FRED STEELE, WYO., J U Z ~ m, img. Smi: I hhve the honor to submit the following report of the recent visit of the Ute Intiians from the White River Agency to this vicinity: About the 25th of June a band of some 100 Indians from the White River Agency made their appearance at a mining camp on the divide near the head of Jack and Savoy Creeks, some 60 milea aouth of thia post md engaged in hunting and trading in thia vicinity far about one week, when they departed (as they mid) for their ogency. I did not learn of the presence of these Indians until after their depart-, nor wss I notified by the agent at White River that they had left their agenoy anti1 June 11, when I received a oommnnication from him d+ted Jnne 7, stating that a considerable number of the Indians had left their reservation and were burning timber and wan-tonly destroying gime along Bear and Snake Rivera, also warning all miners and ranchmen, snd requestin-a me to cause them to return to their reservation. Upon receiving thie letter I made iuqnirirr and could not dnd mch B atate of affair0 to exist, but did Uod that the Incliaua ha& killcd a great drill of game 2nd aaed the skim for trade. The miners they visited in this section were not molssted, bnt on the ooutrarp were presented with an abundance of game. No etouk was molested, and so far sa I can learn no one attribntes the burning of timber to theae Indians. Since I have been in commsnd of thin post (one year) A~ e nMt eeker, of the White River agoney, has written rile two lettera, dated November 11, 1678, and Jone7, lb79. Thew lnttora have usnplly oome to me aftmr the Indiaaa had patd a flying bat peace-able visit & this count& anddeparted (as they alaaya say) to their agency. The White River Ageney ia situated some a00 milea from thia post, and there are very few settlers in the coontrg between Fort Fred Staele and the agency, conseqnently I am not informed sa mon 8s I should be of the movements of these Indiana. Bear and Sotrke Riven, are .boot 100 mile8 from this post, and to rnnrh them by traveling thin dlatanre woold require the trip to be made through a very rdugl~ rouutry, imprarti-ceble for war"ona.. the only tia~soortatiana vailsble. I have never received any orders from my superior to eause these Indians to remain on their reservation at the request of the agent, but am ready to attempt anything reqnired of me. I have been able to communicate with nearly every ranchman reaid-ing within 100 miles of this poat. in reference to the late visit of these Indians, and forward herewith lettern received from them. Both the letters mentioned above as having been reoeived &om Agent Meeker were forwarded to higher authority, and instruotions have been asked to guide me in this matter. I am, very respectfully, your obedient servmt, T. T. THORNBURGH, h?+r Fourth Ifontry, C m m d i n g Post. he ASSISTANTAD ~WTAXT-GENERAL, E ~ a d p u a r t s r s D eof~ tth e Platte, Rol? Omaha, Nebr. [Indorsement on above report.] HEADQWARTE~<DSE PARTMENT OF TEE PUTl'E. I.M ~ o u l i oX, b r . , August 11, ism. Rrcpentfullg forwnr(1lrd to the nmintant atljutaut-general, 1:. 9. A,, l~nadqnartars 3filirurr Dirieiun of the BIiswwi for thc iuforxnation of the Lirutnnsnt-General in con-nection" with. telegram of 8th ultimo from the Adjutant-Uenersl's Offioe, transmitted for my information and gnidanoe and action, from your office, July 9, 1679. Attention |