Sherman, William Tecumseh (1820-1891) [Fragment of a report on the war against the Sioux]

Rush with Four Companies of his Regt. 6th Inf. to head off Sitting Bull, who is reported by the surrendered Chiefs to have slipped out with 30 lodges of his own special followers, during the retreat down Bad Route Creek and to have resumed his course for Fort Peck or the British possessions. Genl Miles reports his purpose to replenish his supplies, to turn north and follow this last desperate band to the death. The winter is close at hand, and there is great danger from the weather in that high latitude but with a reasonable certainty of finding some food at Fort Peck. And abundance at Fort Buford or his own C[] not on the Yellowstone he will be seen to fetch up at one or the other. And I trust in [] Will make an end to Sitting Bull.
As before related Genl Crook after [2] his long march from the Yellowstone to the Agencies at the head of White Earth, in cooperation with the local garrison under Gnl Mc[] Colonel of the 4th cavalry, assisted in disarming and dismounting those Indians. He then distributed his worn out troops to their Rest, and at once reorganized a new Column at Fort Futterman with which he left on the 27th
day of October for another Early winter campaign against that part of the Sioux under Crazy Horse, which was last encountered by him near Slim Butte north and east of the Black Hills which are now filled with a considerable population of [] capable of their own defense. I trust in this also he will be successful.
General Sheridan in his last dispatch on this subject uses this language which I cordially Endorse, 'if successful of which I do not doubt the Sioux War, and all other Indian Wars [3] in this country of any magnitude will be over forever. Generals Sheridan Terry and Crook have been so constantly employed that they have not yet transmitted their annual Reports. These will come and be submitted in due season and will more fully detail the events which I have attempted to sketch from their short dispatches transmitted from day to day. The complete arrangements made for hemming in and capturing the remainder of the hostile Sioux during the winter must result in compensation on complete success. Meantime no change can be attempted this year at the Agencies but I trust next year all the Sioux nation will be compelled to remove to the Missouri River near the Fort Randall, where they can be fed at one half the present cost, and where if there be any chance to Civilize them, the opportunity [4] will be far better than in the preset scattered agencies.
In conclusion I beg to submit the Annual Reports of the Adjutant General, and Inspector General, the only Heads of Bureaux who are subject to the General of the Army.
I have the honor to be,
Your obt Servant,
W. Sherman
General