The surprise of General Custer in the Black-Hills country appears
to have inspirited all the Indian nations, and at Washington they expect a great Indian war. General Sheridan has been ordered to collect all the troops he can, and take the command on the frontier, and the President has been autho- rised by the House of Representatives to call out five regiments of Western Volunteers. The American Government could scarcely do less, but the whole affair is most discreditable to its Indian policy. The Sioux were living peacefully in their Reserves, till they were told they must go, as the Government could not resist the settlers' demand for the mineral region. They sent a deputa- tion to Washington to plead for them, but it was insulted, and when at last they offered to sell the Black Hills, the price they asked, £20,000 a year, was refused. It is possible they went back resolved on resistance, but when General Custer, personally a most excellent officer, attacked them, they had not declared war.
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