"Governor Meagher's Indian war in Montana is the biggest humbug of the age, got up to advance his political interest, and to enable a lot of bummers who surround and hang on to him to make a big raid on the United States Treasury. Parties (and hundreds of them) were traveling from Helena to Fort Benton, some mounted, some on foot, and some in wagons, in squads of two, four, six and eight persons-some armed and some unarmed. None appeared to apprehend any more danger from hostile Indians than they would in Washington City. The boat I came down the river on (the Yorktown) did not even load the guns furnished them by the War Department during the round trip, but allowed Indians to come on board the boat when they wished to do so (that is, when we were lying to). Neither did I hear of a single boat that had been disturbed by Indians on the Missouri river, the many statements made in the newspapers notwithstanding. I am satisfied no trouble need be apprehended from the above-named tribes, unless the same is brought on by acts of General Meagher and the troops under his orders."
-The Sacred Buffalo Vision by Robert J. Juneau and Robert C. Juneau
pg.14
No comments:
Post a Comment