Page 499

GENERAL NELSON A. MILES.
that any failure of such an attempt would result in one of the most serious
wars that had ever occurred in the southwest country; that if it could not
be accomplished peaceably, and that if even a few should escape and take
to
the warpath the results would be altogether serious. Still I regarded it
as
an imperative necessity, and after consulting with Colonel Wade, who had
been requested to meet me again at Albuquerque, New Mexico, and who
also had confidence that it could be done, the following telegram was sent
to Washington:
                                      ALBUQUERQUE, N. MEX., August 20, 1886.
ADJUTANT-GENERAL, U. S. ARMY, Washington, D. C.:
   Captain Dorst reports that the Indians that are now at Fort Leavenworth
received some
kind of certificate in Washington that appeared to give them great assurance,
and that
when he parted with them their conduct was defiant and insolent. Should they
return
with the feeling that they were entirely independent of the military authorities
as well as
the civil government, their control would be most difficult and their presence
more dan-
gerous to the peace of this country. I have directed him to inform them on
his return
that they can either he trecety Jihictcvfs or that they must be regarded
as prisoners of war
and must abide by what disposition the government deems best for the welfare
of all
concerned. I have given him a memoranda to propose to theni as the just and
liberal
terms of the government, practically as stated in my letter of July 7, viz.:
to move to such
})lace as the governmnent deenms best and await such time as a reservation
or a place of
of residence shall be provided for them outside of the Territories of Arizona
and New
Mexico. Should they accept it, a part can remain at Leavenwxxorth and a part
return to
accompany the balance of the tribe. Colonel MWade, commnnancding Fort Apacheb,
who is
now here, informs me that he can move those at Apache without difficulty,
and arrange-
mnents have already been considered. The (liscomfiture of the hostiles renders
the time
fao orable, and as the measure is of vital importance, I pray that it may
receive the approval
of the government.
                                      MILES, Commanding Department Arizona.
                            (Indorsement on foregoing.)
                   HEADQUARTERS OF THE ARMY, WASHINGTON, August 21, 1886.
    Respectfully submitted to the Acting Secretary of War, with copy for
information of
the Department of the Interior.
                              P. H. SHERIDAN, Lieutenant-General, Commanding.
   The above dispatch from      me was telegraphed by the Acting Secre-
tary of War to the Secretary of War, Salem, Massachusetts, August
21, 188, and to the President, Saranac Inn, Bloomingdale, Essex County,
New York, August 21, 1586.
     he following further official action resulted:
                          WAR DEPARTMENT, WASHINGTON CITY, August 24, 1886.
   SIR:- Having transmitted by telegraph to the President and Secretary of
War Gen-
eral Miles's telegram of the twentieth instant, the inclosed are their replies.
As it is of
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