.MTAzMw.NjkxNjI

76 [stamp]

left one case of smallpox at Austin.

         As long as Recruits are sent from Depots were smallpox prevails, with the proper methods of isolation from all exposure, so long will there be danger of a recurrence of the same results, as attended the one under discussion.
         Your attention is respectfully and specially called to the report of Dr. Snively, referred to by Surgeon Hammond in his Endorsement, that some of the Recruits left Newport Barracks with the clothes, they wore in hospital there, when sick with smallpox.
         The other twelve desertions for March are not so excessive as to require remark.  It is observed that the desertions from this Regiment for February was but one, and for April three.
                                                                         Very respectfully
                                                                         Your obdt. servant
                                                                (Sgd.)  C. C. Augur

3 Enclosures. Brigadier General, U.S.A. 2261. D. T. '73. Commanding _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 526. MO. MIL.DIV., [left margin] june 4. 1873. Lieut General Sheridan Commd'g. Mil. Division of the Missouri, Chicago, Ills.

Dear General,

                              I have had the honor to receive your telegram of the 27th of May, wherein you state that the Government will sustain Col. MacKenzie's action in pursuing the hostile Indians into Mexico and punishing them there.   This information has been communicated to Col. MacKenzie and cannot fail to be as gratifying to him as it is to me.
         It has been a very disheartening situation for troops to see the country, they are expected to protect, devastated by a lot of Savages and robbers, who escape their merited punishment by crossing into Mexico and then turning and laughing at their pursuers.  It is difficult to  understand why the Government has submitted to this so long and not authorized the pursuit into Mexico before.
         MacKenzie's act must - it is believed - bring the matter to a focus now, and I trust it may eventuate in a satisfactory solution of our difficulties on our Rio Grande frontier.
         The Indians must be compelled to leave Mexico permanently or our troops must have full  authority to pursue them into Mexico, without interference by the Mexicans, whenever they depredate upon our side of the river.  Nothing short of these alternatives will settle permanently, the Indian question.