Letter

SHERMAN, General to William W. Belknap, November 2, 1871

Author

SHERMAN, General

Recipient

William W. Belknap

Date

November 2, 1871

Type

Letter

Language

English

General Sherman to Mr. Belknap.

Headquarters of the Army, Washington, D. C., November 2, 1871.

Respectfully returned to the Secretary of War. We have in Texas two regiments of cavalry, which are all that can be possibly spared there. The Ninth is scattered along the Rio Grande, and north as far as McKavitt.

These sudden eruptions from Mexico have been of frequent occurrence, and the Rio Grande being fordable, gives the Indians a certain and safe retreat, as we cannot properly cross the border in pursuit. Mexico ought to be liable for acts of war done by Indians owing her allegiance, and our people charge that these Indians are not only harbored, but that the horses and captives are openly sold in the Mexican towns beyond the Rio Grande.

This case appears to me clearly one for the State Department, as we are unable to apply a remedy.

W. T. SHERMAN,
General.

Topics

19th Century Diplomacy Reconstruction

Sources

FRUS u2014 Papers Relating to the Foreign Relations of the United States, Transmitted to Congress with the Annual Message of the Pr View original source ↗

U.S. Department of State, Office of the Historian. Papers Relating to the Foreign Relations of the United States, Transmitted to Congress with the Annual Message of the Pr.