f these officers on the plains have been there for years,
and are well acquainted with these Indians and their character, and my
own opinions in this matter are founded not alone from my experience
and observations since I have commanded here, but also with
intercourse with them on the plains during a number of years prior to
the war, in which time I met and had dealings with nearly every tribe
east of the Rocky Mountains. Until hostilities cease I trust that you
will keep all agents, citizens and traders away from them. When peace
is made with them, if civilian agents and citizens are sent among
them, send those who you know to be of undoubted integrity. I know you
desire to do so, and from the appointments you have already made I
believe you will be successful. My plan, however, would be to keep
these Indians under the care of officers of the army, stationed in
their country; that what is given them be given by these officers, and
that all citizens, agents and traders should, while among them, be
subject to their (the officers') supervision and police regulations.
In this way I have no doubt these Indians can be kept in their own
country, their outrages stopped, and our overland routes kept safe.
Now, not a train or coach of any kind can cross the plains in safety
without being guarded, and I have over 3,000 miles of route to protect
and guard. The statement that the Sand Creek affair was the first
Indian aggression is a mistake. For months prior to that affair the
Indians had been attacking our trains, posts, and ranches; had robbed
the emigrants and murdered any party they considered too weak to
defend themselves.

The theory that we cannot punish these Indians effectually, and that
we must make or accept any kind of a peace in order to hold our
overland routes, is not sustained by the facts, is singularly
erroneous, and I cannot agree to it by any means. I have now seven
different columns of troops penetrating their country in all
directions, while at the same time I am holding the overland routes.
This display of force alone will alarm and terrify them; will show
them that we are in earnest, have the power, and intend at all hazards
to make them behave themselves. After we have taught them this they
will sue for peace; then if the government sees fit to indemnify them
for any w