Sherman Quote

[Norman Dasinger Jr]

"THE MORE INDIANS WE CAN KILL THIS YEAR, THE LESS WILL HAVE TO BE KILLED THE NEXT WAR."

Does anyone know when this was written? I know it was in a letter to Sheridan but when??

 

[lupaglupa]

The best I can find in a quick search is that it was written in 1868.

 

[Norman Dasinger Jr]

thanks - It is quoted frequently and would like to find a specific date, etc

 

[NedBaldwin]

"THE MORE INDIANS WE CAN KILL THIS YEAR, THE LESS WILL HAVE TO BE KILLED THE NEXT WAR."

Does anyone know when this was written? I know it was in a letter to Sheridan but when??

It was not Sheridan. It was a letter to his brother John. September 23, 1868

 

[Norman Dasinger Jr]

thanks

 

[Bruce Vail]

It was not Sheridan. It was a letter to his brother John. September 23, 1868

The date may be significant. Sherman's remark came just as the US Army was planning its Winter Campaign against the Cheyenne. On Nov. 27, an army column under Custer attacked a Cheyenne camp on the Washita River, resulting in the infamous Washita River Massacre.

 

[Tennessee Union Gal]

Sherman had quite a "black and white" relationship with those he regarded as the enemy. War is all hell, ram it down their throats as hard as you can and get it over with. Kill them now so we don't have to kill them later.

 

[lupaglupa]

The interesting part to me is the continuation of the quote where he speculates that the Native Americans will become paupers, something US policy did later cause.

 

[Norman Dasinger Jr]

and continues to do so today

 

[NedBaldwin]

The date may be significant. Sherman's remark came just as the US Army was planning its Winter Campaign against the Cheyenne. On Nov. 27, an army column under Custer attacked a Cheyenne camp on the Washita River, resulting in the infamous Washita River Massacre.

Its also during the time of the Battle of Beecher Island