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terms) in advance, leaving their name 
river, to the Big Shyenne of the Missouri, and to the section of coun- 
try they now occupy between the Platte and the Arkansas. 
In the summer the Dacotas follow the buffaloes in their ranges over 
the prairie, and in the winter fix their lodges in the clusters or fringes 
of wood along the banks of the lakes and streams. The bark of the 
cottonwood, which furnishes food for their horses during the winter 
snows, have led to immense destruction of this timber, and many 
streams have been thinned or entirely stripped of their former beauti- 
ful groves. . 
Their horses are obtained by traffic with the Indians further south, - 
who have stolen them in New Mexico, or are caught wild on the plains 
towards the Rocky mountains. The nation is one of the most skilfull 
and warlike and most numerous in our Territory; and could they be | 
eir 0 be most 
made to feel a due confidence in their own powers, would 
formidable warriors. In single combat on horseback they have no 
_ superiors—a skill acquired by constant practice with their bows and 
arrows and long lances, with which they succeed in killing their game 
at full speed. The rapidity with which they shoot their arrows, and 
the accuracy of their aim, rivals that of a practiced hand with the — 
cholera, it is the opinion of some that they are increasing in numbers 
virtue. 
The love of renown and desire for plunder leads them far from their — 
homes, and many of the depredations along the Platte are committed 
by the Unkpapas and Sihasapas, whose homes are further from it than 
those of any of the Titonwans. The Isanties or Dacotas of the St.. 
 Peter’s also carry their ravages into Nebraska, and are there the most 
- dreaded of all the savages. 
- When any redress or reparation is sought, or punishment threatened 
for these offences, the same excuse is always made: ‘‘The old men 
(it, but the young men could not be restrained.’’ So long as 
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the smiles of the females, the admiration of his comrades, and ulti- 
: mate influence with his tribe continue to be the reward of daring ex- 
_ ploits, these, to say nothing of the Indian’s often absolute necessities, 
will prove too strong in the breast of the youthful warrior for the 
~ counsels and frowns of age, or for the peaceful policy of the Indian 
Bureau 
Military occupation is essential to the safety of the whites, and the 
military posts should be in such positions, and occupied by such num-_ 
" 
bers, as effectually to overawe the ambitious and turbulent, and sus- — 
Ex. Doc. 76-——2 
