.MTAwNg.NjYxNzQ

(8)

country is given, it is done through self interest to sell land too poor and barren to sustain more than an average crop of grasshoppers. There are not settlements near the scene of operations against Victorio and your informant in this regard, as well as in many other of his statements has either drawn upon his imagination or received his intelligence second hand from some of the many gentlemen on the frontier, who are rusticating out here for their health and to escape the penitentiary at home.

    There are quite a number of good reliable citizens residing out here, engaged in cattle and sheep raising, and I have yet to hear one of them censure the troops for want of activity in protecting their interests.  For they know, that since General Grierson was assigned to the command of the Military District of the Pecos in January 1878, the troops of his command have marched more miles, done more hard work, endured greater hardships, than all the other troops, combined, in this Department.  He has developed the resources of the country opened up roads, built two hundred and fifty miles of telegraph line, guarded and protected mail and stage property, kept the country free of marauders, and lastly defeated Victorio and forced him to flee before the Colored troops, beyond the limits of Texas.

                                                  (Signed Indianapolis Hoosier, or Robt G. Smither,
                                                                                                   1st Lieut and Adjt. 10th Cavalry
                                                                                                    A. A. A., General.