my opinion
there is but one way to effectually terminate these Indian troubles;
viz., to push our cavalry into the heart of their country from all
directions, to punish them whenever and wherever we find them, and
force them to respect our power and to sue for peace. Then let the
military authorities make informal treaties with them for a cessation
of hostilities. This we can accomplish successfully, for the Indians
will treat with soldiers, as they fear them and have confidence in
their word. Any treaty made now by civilians, Indian agents, or
others, will, in my opinion, amount to nothing, as the Indians in all
the tribes openly express dissatisfaction with them and contempt for
them. The friendly Indians say that whenever the hostile bands are
made aware of our ability and determination to whip them, they will
readily and in good faith treat with our officers and comply with any
demands we may make. If we can keep citizen agents and traders from
among them we can, I am confident, settle the matter this season, and
when settled I am clearly of the opinion that these Indians should be
dealt with entirely by competent commissioned officers of the Army,
whom they will respect and who will not only have the power to make
them comply with the terms of the agreements made, but will also have
the power and authority to compel troops, citizens and others to
respect implicitly and to comply strictly with the obligations assumed
on our part. The cavalry now moving into the Indian country will, I
doubt not, if allowed to proceed and carry out the instructions given
them, accomplish the object designed by bringing about an effectual
peace and permanent settlement of our Indian difficulties.

I am, General, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

G. M. DODGE,

_Major-General_.

The campaign to the north was planned with a view of going after all the
northern Indians then at war--the Arapahoes, North Cheyennes, and the
different bands of the Sioux. Their depredations had extended east to the
Missouri River, and General Pope sent General Sully with a force up that
river to take care of the hostile Sioux that had gathered and had been
fighting the troops at Forts Rice, Berthoud, and other points. Before
reaching these posts his column was turned and sent to Devil's Lake after
the Santee Sioux, who had been committing