Washington sentinel. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1856, 1855-05-26
From the Platte Argus Extra.
IMPORTANT NEWS FROM THE
PLAINS.
Arrival OF Colonel Eaug an W ar ID declared |
by 5000 Indians.

by 5000 Indians.
ST.. joseph, MAY l03 0 clock, p. m.
Colonel Vaughn, Indian agent from Fort Pierre
arrived in town yesterday evening. lie states
that the Indians on the plains are IN very un
settled condition. in fact assuming hostile atti
tude. The Black Feet, Apaches, and Sioux
Manacunques, Sansare, and Yanctnos, banded IL
mighty host, and SOOTHING existing treaties, have
unburied the hatchet, and bid defiance to the
powers that be. These tribes combined with the
Brulays and Ogalale ofthe Platte, numbering at a
small calculation three thousand warriors, have
thrown up Notifications on Draining Bull at the
source Of Grand river, and are not only ready
but anxious to meet any force that Government
NAV send against emboldened by the ease
which they massacreed our soldiers in the late
skirmishes, and rcmarking the terror ever since
manifested by the whites in their necessary inter-
course with them, and soothing at the power OF
the United States to discharge them Of their
stronghold The Asinabanes, Crovatres, and
Mandatnes, having the fear Of the four new regi-
rAents before their eyes, have told their agent,
Colonel Vaughn, i'm council, that they will not
only aid and abet but furnish material assistance
in subduing their refractory brethren.
Mr. Culverston and Lewis were taken prisoners
by the Yanchtnos between Fort Union and Fort
Pierre, but released surrendering their effects,
and promising to decamp. The latter named
gentleman is from st. Louis.
The colonel states there is no snow in the
mountains, may expect no rise in the river
from that quarter.
Williams for his intrepid daring and this success
full trip. Mr.. Williams had numerous "pow
wows's with the Sioux chiefs; they told him that
I" Big Bear had fallen In the skirmish with
Grattan and party, and the blood Of Grattan
and party had satisfied their thirst for his loss;
but Big Bears sister, having taken his death
very much to heart, had grieved herself to death,
and they called another !" pow WOW. and con-
cluded that another slaughter of the whites should
be had at the earliest opportunity. Hence, the
attack of the mail party. They say that now
they are satisfied with their revenge for I" Big
Bear and sister, and those who murdered the
mail party ready to give themselves up to
whites to Be hung or shot, as shall be determined
upon. They inquired particularly where all the
whitefaces were that they heard so muck talk of,
but never seen--why don I they come and fight,
and not talk so much' This is the severest re-
buke the present Administration has received,
and shows to light their sapiency in such way
that cannot be misunderstood-the simplicity
oftheir inquiry, and which is pregnant with mean
Mr.. Williams also reports fires kindled upon
the highest peaks Of the mountains, which is
signal for a grand combination of all the tribes
to adopt measures for their safety. They have
quantities Of furs and are busily engaged IN
making clothing, moccasns, sc. They have
also been providing themselves with provisions
drying buffalo meat, &c., for a general cam
paign.
Mr. Williams reports that many of the old
traders, who have lived in the mountains for
twenty years, and have Sioux wives and children,
are in great fear of their lives. AS his party
came along, several of these traders had been
robbed of all their stock. Should the war COM
mence, they will flee to the States. Mr.. Will
liams thinks the Crows, Cheyennes, Rahahoes,
and probably the Camanches are banded with
the Sioux against the whites, although they say
they are not anxious to go to war with the Whites
but if the pale faces coYo they will try their
best.
Mr. Williams travelled most of the distance
from ST. Laramie into the States, in the night,
and laid by in day time in camp, being very
careful in selecting camping grounds that the
Indians could not surprise him, always placing
one or two men on the highest points, mile or more
from their camp, well armed, and with good
glass to keep look out. His plan OF travell-
ing completely deceived the Indians, several
bands of whom they saw about sunset in the
neighborhood of their camps. The Indians sup
posed they would only drive few miles after
night, and then camp, of course they would at
tack them before morning But MIR. Williams
understood their game exactly, and gave them
the slip in every case He will start with large
train for Salt Lake City, from Leavenworth,
about the first Of July He reports Charles A.
Perry, of our city, in Salt Lake City, doing first
rate, and looking finely, would probably start for
here about the last of May first of June. Also,
A. c. Branham, Henry Branch and others OF our
city. sstEa se