In this letter from Lt. General Nelson Miles, Miles describes the treatment of the natives prior to the massacre. In fact, Miles writes,"While this was being done a detachment of soldiers was sent into the camp to search for any arms remaining there, and it, was reported that their rudness frightened the women and children. It is also reported that a remark was made by some one of the soldiers that "when we get the arms away from them we can do as we please with them, " indicating that they were to be destroyed. Some of the indians could understand English. this and other things alarmed the Indians and scuffle occured between one warrior who had rifle in his hand and two soldiers." With this quote the reader can see that the Americans treated the natives harshly, thus led to the uprising. The reader is also able to see political side of the massacre through this formal letter from the Commissioner of Indian Affairs to Washington D.C.