.MTAzNA.NjkyNDk

163 [stamp]

I had conversations with the few Kiowas and Comanches who remained faithful, at Sill, and with the Arapahoes and few Cheyennes, who remained faithful at the Cheyenne and Arapahoe Agency, and what seemed to trouble them most, was the fear that the Government would not make a sever punishment for the hostiles. They said, their lives would be in danger, that they could not live at the Agencies and the Government could not be too severe.

                    The sale of the ponies will be a good blow, but the inborn, native war spirit has to be driven out by letting them know, that they cannot Kill and steal without punishment.
                    I will relieve you from all future trouble- and myself also- before next June, if you will let me break down the Cheyennes, Kiowas and Commanches by a Military Commission on a few, and the transfer of some of the ringleaders with their immediate families to some of the seacoast Forts, where only a simple surveillance need be observed over them.
                 For the Commission I have full authority, but for the latter I have not, and if you think favorably, please see the Secretary of War on the subject.
                 The Expense of the Indian Bureau of keeping a few of these Indians at the seacoast Posts would not be great.
                  I once mentioned Fort Snelling to General Belknap but now think the seacoast posts the best.
                                                                                                      Yours truly,
                                                                                              (Sgd)  P. H. Sheridan

Official Lieutenant General (Sgd) R. C. Drum, A. A. G. U. S. Army Official (Sgd) Colon Augur A. D. C. 500 G. D. T. '74 ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

                                                                                                                   Washington. D. C.  Nov. 1, 1874.

A. G., USA Adjutant General

                          Transmits copies of communications relative to Satanta and desires opinion of Lieutenant General as to quilt &c. of Indian prisoners (4 G. 81. D. T. '74 and E. B. 2/457 D. T. '74,

1st Endorsement

                                                            Headqrs. of the Army
                                                            St. Louis, Nov. 16, 1874

Respectfully transmitted. By Command of General Sherman

                                                   (Sgd)  W. D. Whipple A. A. G.