.MTAwNg.NjYxNzI

(6)

just returned from the frontier" cannot change the fact one particle. The troops engaged do not object to criticism when it has some basis but they most decidedly object to gratuitous abuse from one, who I venture to assert was not within three scene of operations and has Pecos river.

    The newspapers, and gentlemen who seem so anxious

to censure the troops for not capturing or entirely distroying the Indians, do not stop to consider the difficulties to be encountered in consummating this desirable result. They appear to be ignorant of the nature and extent of the territory to be scouted over; the absence of water, except at widely, separated points; the difficulty of transportation and communication; the poverty of the country in cereals and other necessary supplies for men and animals; the rough and almost inaccessible mountain ranges to be traversed and a thousand and one other obstacles to success.

    In regard to the statement about the West Pointers engaged

let me assure my fellow townsman, there was only two from the Academy; all the other officers serving with General Grierson and his command, with the exception of three, were appointed from civil life and served during the war of the Rebellion and have "smelled the