Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1851-11-14
From the St. Louis Republican, Oct. "a.
An Inaiau Council.
TREArY GRourD, Horse CREE.

stir and great preparations 1t was an event to
which the Indians had been looking with great IN
terest for yet they uniformed OF the pur-
poses of the Government. The past night had been
to me one of annoyance so far MY personal COM
fort was concerned. for there opportunity to
seep but viewed in reference to the objects OF the
assembly, gratifying. On Saturday 1t had been
announced by Col Mitchell. through the interpre-
ters that the next day, Sunday, was the White
Mans Medicine Day., and for that reason he would
not hold Council or transact any business Every
thing that pertains to the Great Spirit the Indians
regard and designate g Medicine"
The Indians devoted the afternoon of Sunday to
visits of portions of nation to another, and to
feasts and dances. In the Ogollahlah band OF the
Sioux directly on the opposite ide of the Platte two
dog feasts given to the Snakes, Arrapahoes
and Chevennes, and these followed by dances,
which lasted the entire night Feasts and dances
were given in most of the other villages. The sound
of the drums and unmeaning chaunts OF the Ogailah-
labs made sleep impossible
Every one whites and Indians seemed to look for
the morning and every body was early afoat-
From dawn until o'clock when the cannon was
fired and the flag hoisted. signal for the Council
to assemble. parties of Indians were coming in from
every direction have taken pains to form an est-
mate of the number present. and by the number OF
lodges estimating. is common with those familiar
with the Indians, we had assembled nine thou
sand. Allowing for soldiers and bands without
lodges believe the number mi ght be safely set down
as exceeding ten thousand
When the cannon had given forth its thunder the
whole plains seemed to be covered with the moving
masses of chiefs warriors. men, women and children.
some on horse back, foot. The chiefs and
Braves who expected to go into Councillor only
the principal men take part in important delihe-
rations like this-generaly came on foot: then fnl-
lowed the young mounted and on foot then the
squaws and children. Until the signal was given
forth for the council to assemble the had
manned at distance from the temporary arbor pre-
pared for the occasion But when the whole body
commenced moving to the common centre. sight
was presented of most thrilling interest. Each
ton approached with his peculiar song or dem
tonstration. and such combination OF rude wild
and fantastic manners and dresses, never was wit
messed. 1t is not probable that an opportunity will
again be presented of seeing many tribes as
sembled together displaying all the pecuarities of
features dress, equipments and horses. The man.
ner of painting themselves and horses, and every
thing else, exhibiting their wild notions of elegance
and propriety.
They came out this morning. not armed or pain
ted for but decked out in all their best regal
pomp, paint and display for peace. The Chiefs and
| Braves dressed with punctilious attention to
imposing effect. The :: Bucks (yOung men) were
out on horse afoot in all the fnppery and display
of prairie dandes' In their efforts be elegant,
fashionable and exquisite it must be confessed that
the Prairie Dandy after his manner. displays quite
as much sense and taste as his city prototype with
this advantage. The Indian does not conceal his
features with superabundance of hair. In their
they are on a par.
The squaws were out in all the richness and en-
belli>hments of their toggery. Their displays. &C
cordng to their stations and the wealth of their hus
bands fathers. marked their ability dress and
appear disinguo in genteel Indian society. The
belles (there are Indian well as civilized helles)
were out in all they could raise of nerv and costume
and the way they faunted Uttered. talked and made
efforts to show off to the best advantage before the
Bucks, justly entitled them to the civilized appella-
ton we have given them. We concluded that CO.
quetry not Of foreign origin. Even more than
ordinary had been bestowed the dress of the
children. They were evidently on their best beha-
vior. With these little it easy to decide
upon the thrift the cleanliness and industry of the
mothers We have a belief that child in its dress
and behavior is fair index of the culture, mind and
industry of its mother Some were decked out in
all the variety of inerv that skins of wild animals,
heads porcnpine quilts and various colored cloths
could suggest Others were in more simple costume,
a string of beads round the neck. and string
round the lnns. 1t is due to the Indian woman to
say. that whilst the male children, even to an adj
yanced age often permitted to 90 naked. near
ly So we saw but one female child exposed
When the crowd had assembled, it was announc-
ed that the principal head men of the nation were
expected within the circle prepared for the Council
The others t6k their positions the plains. gene
rally in the Of the part assigned to their chiefs
and braves. The Council ground circle
about third of it facing the asst was left OPEN
Around the remainder sheds had been erected with
lodge poles and lodge skins. The tribes ar
ranged around-the Sioux first. north and west of
the entrance the Cheyennes Assinaboins Shoshones,
Arrickewas Gros Ventres Mandans Arrapahoes.-
In the centre covered arbor erected Here
was seated Col Mitchell and Major Fitzpatrick. the
: Commissioners: there present, Col, Cooper,
Capt. ketchum, Capt Duncan, Capt. Rhett, Lieut.,
Hastings and Lieut. Elliott, of the U. S. A. The
Rev Father de Smedt Col. r. Campbell E, G.
Brown, Maj Haldeman, of the Utah Indian Agency,
Mr. Rose, Sub-Agent. and number of gentlemen;
Interpreters, traders and others.
! There had been no studied effort made to produce
effect in the arrangement, but when the Council was
assembled it certainly presented as fine field for a
painter or daguerreotypist could any where be
found. not aware of any thing Of the kind ever
before presented, and deeply regretted that among
the many American artists there not present.
| procured the services Of man in Capt. Duncans
company. to make sketch for He has not yet
completed it, and cannot speak of It's accuracy.
Far reaching in the of the Indian Chiefs and
Braves stood the attentive members of their respec-
tive tribes For quietness, decorum and general good
behavior. such occasions the Indians mi ght be
made models for civilized society. Although
here closely pressed together, every thing was as
quiet as in a church.
have alluded more particularly to the assem-
blage and appearances this morning, for the
that it the first and best opportunity presented
to all the Indians in body. In all it's aspects
it to me, and thousand Incidents which
will not bear repetition, of deep interest. 1t is
an undoubted fact that the bearing, character. man
ners courage, habits and nearly all leading charac
ersticS of the Indians of the plains and mountains
strongly contrast with those of the eastery In