No. 475.
Mr. Evarts
to Mr. Morgan.
Department
of State,
Washington, June 26,
1880.
No. 28.]
Sir: On the 15th instant my colleague, the
honorable the Secretary of War, forwarded to this Department a copy of a
telegram from Colonel Hatch, dated at Fort Craig, N. Mex., the 7th of the
present month, detailing the movements of hostile Indians in New Mexico, and
representing further that large numbers of these Indians have crossed into
Mexican territory.
Upon the receipt of this intelligence and during my temporary absence from
the city, the acting Secretary, Mr. Hay, caused to be forwarded to you on
the 18th instant for your direction in the matter a telegram.
* * * * * * *
A copy of the letter from the Secretary of War, and its inclosures upon which
the said telegram was based, is herewith transmitted for your further
information, and for the files of your legation.
[Page 757]
The Department has since received your telegram of the 21st instant in reply
to the one above, stating that the minister of foreign affairs of Mexico,
after consultation with the President, declines to allow American troops to
pursue these Indians on Mexican soil.
While commending your zeal and energy in this matter, the President greatly
regrets that the Mexican authorities should not have permitted the
operations of our troops on her soil for the purpose of inflicting just
punishment, if possible, upon a marauding band of Indians, whose
depredations are a source of constant annoyance to the peace of both
countries.
In this unexpected obstacle to our operations against these hostile Indians
you will say to the Mexican Government that this accordance of asylum to our
enemies, flying over the border under our pursuit, involves, in the
apprehension of this government, an urgent obligation on the part of the
Mexican Government to disarm these Indians, and a responsibility for any
future inroads upon our territory they may make.
I am, sir, &c.,
[Inclosure in Mr. Evarts’s No.
28.]
Mr. Ramsey to Mr.
Evarts.
War
Department,
Washington, June 15,
1880.
Sir: I have the honor to transmit herewith copy
of telegram from Colonel Hatch, dated the 7th instant, in regard to the
movements of hostile Indians in New Mexico. He states that a large
number crossed into Mexico.
The same is also furnished the Secretary of the Interior.
Very respectfully, &c.,
ALEX. RAMSEY,
Secretary of
War.
[Inclosure 1 in Mr. Ramsey’s letter to Mr.
Evarts.]
Santa
Fé, N. Mex., June 7,
1880.
To Assistant
Adjutant-General,
Fort Leavenworth,
Kansas:
The following just received to be repeated to you:
“Fort Craig, N. Mex., June 7, 1880.
“Dispatches of 6th received. Last dispatch sent you on 5th, after
the blow struck on the 24th by the scouts, who were in advance
of the troops. The hostiles went west into the Black Range;
Morrow was ordered to follow them with four companies. Your
telegram that troops were coming forward called me to Craig. One
large body of Indians, one hundred strong, broke south, crossing
the road near Cummings. Morrow’s advance followed these Indians
to Mexico; small party of twenty-five went by way of Goodsite
Mountains to Mexico. There are parties yet in the mountains;
Morrow struck one about Cook’s Canon, killed two, wounded three,
capturing their stock on the 5th. Are now looking for small
raiding parties. Shall drive these Indians into Mexico. From
present indications they are going there as we press them, which
is to be regretted, without some arrangement can be made to
follow them up. Have notified the Mexican authorities. Cusack
reports the hostiles have left the east side of Rio Grande. Two
companies Fourth Cavalry, two of infantry, at Belen yesterday.
No rations at Bayard to send troops. Will delay active
operations some days south. It is important that the fifty
Indian scouts asked for are granted. As soon as the troops to
arrive are in the field and we are again on the trail, the
Indians will break up into small parties and must be hunted
down; this will also enable us to move up
[Page 758]
with respectable force to the
south and west of the Navajoes, should they become troublesome.
No doubt some young men are out with the Apaches that are living
at Alamo City below Wingate, who trade with the Apaches and
encourage their raids. The Navajoes will not go as a tribe on
the war-path. It is best to show them that we are ready. If the
Tenth Cavalry oomes to this district, can hold all east of the
Rio Grande. We cannot only settle Victoria’s band, but throw
such a force to the south and west of the Navajoes they will not
dare to risk war, rich as they are in stock.
“HATCH,
“Colonel Ninth
Cavalry, Commanding.”
The department commander’s dispatch and yours of this date, relative to
scouts, &c., had not reached General Hatch when the above was
telegraphed.
LOUD,
Acting Assistant
Adjutant-General.
[1st indorsement.]
Headquarters Department of the Missouri,
Fort Leaveworth, Kans., June 8, 1880.
Official copy respectfully forwarded to the assistant adjutant-general,
headquarters Military Division of the Missouri, for the information of
the Lieutenant-General.
JNO. POPE,
Brevet Major-General,
Commanding.
[2d indorsement.]
Headquarters Military Division Missouri,
Chicago, June 10, 1880.
Respectfully forwarded to the Adjutant-General of the Army.
In the absence of the Lieutenant-General commanding.
M. V. SHERIDAN,
Lieutenant-Colonel,
and Military Secretary.
