Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1855-01-20
HEADoUARTERs FoRT LARAMIE,
November 20, 1854.

November ~, 1904.
COLONEL: Pursuant to your instructions Of
the 18th ult., have the honor to make the fol
lowing report in relation to the country occu-
pied by the Sioux, their numbers, the best
points for operating against them, DC, DC.
These Indians are divided into several bands,
who live in different sections Of the country,
and have separate interests.
The Oga-lallacks occupy the country from
the head-waters of Powder river south TO the
south fork Of the Platte, and between the forks
Of the Platte. They generally winter on the
Powder river, or between it and the Platte
The northern part ftheir country is intersected
by the Black Hills, but wagons can pass through
it in various directions with little difficulty. 1t
is abundantly supplied with wood and fine
streams of water They have $50 lodges, and
counting three warriors to lodge, and twelve
persons, they number about 700 warriors, and
of all ages and sexes about z, 700.
The Brulies have 200 lodges, and the Wah.
sah-zhes, branch of the Brulies and gener-
ally associated with them, have 10 lodges, and
in all they number 800 warriors, and $500 |
men, women, and children. The Bear, who |
was made chief of all the Sioux at the treaty
held near this post in 1851 recently deceased Of
wounds received when DIR. Grattan's party was
massacred, was Wah-sah-zhe, and the chief
of that band. 1t is made up of murderers and
outlaws from other bands Of Sioux. The coun-
try Of the Brulies extends from the sources OF
the White river south across the Leau-qui.
court to the Platte, and as far east as the forks
Of the Platte. Between the L'eau-qui-court
and the Platte the country from the head of
Soup Fork west 10 a point opposite Horse
Creek is made up of sand hills, interpreted
with small lakes. This country has no timber
= Il EX.l. - +1n,n al I,,F
falo grass. 1t is almost unknown except to
the Indians, with whom it is favorite resort
in winter There are traders who have crossed
it occasionally Troops would have no diff
Guilty in passing from one river TO the other.
The Minicouzhas nave 275 lodges and their
kindred bands, who live on the Missouri, the
Ouk pa. pas, have 200 lodges, the Blackfeet, Ia
band Of Sioux,) 200, and the No-bows 240--in
all 9l5 lodges, and they number about 2,400
warriors, and $3.50 men, women, and children
They occupy the country from the Missouri
west to the sources Of the two forks of the
Cheyenne in the Black Hills, and from the
Moro river south TO the White river. The
whole of this country is well watered and tim
bered, and is fnvorite range Of the buffalo
From the forks Of the Cheyenne west il is much
broken by ranges of the Black Hills, but troops
with wagons would find little difficulty in pen
etrating it by two or three different routes.
Accompanying this is rough map made up
from description Of the country by those who
are best acquainted with it, and, though not
accurate, it will give very good foundation
on which to base plan Of operations. Two
routes are laid down on the map from this
place over which heavily loaded wagons have
passed-one TO Fort Pierre on the Missouri,
and one to the North fork Of the Cheyenne by
l.,o
route through the Black Hills Wagons have
also crossed from Ash Hollow, on the Platte
NORTH 10 L'eau-qui-court.
movement against the Bruliea may be
made by force from Fort Kearny by march
ing up the Platte and crossing at Ash Hollow,
and also from this post; and 10 penetrate tbe
Ayer.lal-lah country, or that of the Minicouz.
has from the west, troops can move with great
facility from this post. Operations may also
be conducted against the Minicouzhas and their
Missouri allies from Fort Pierre, or some other
point lower down on the Missouri.
] would respectfully recommend that three.
commands, each consisting Of two companies
Of dragons and three companies Of infantry,
with one or two mountain howitzers, be sent
into the field against the Sioux; one from Fort
Pierre, one from Fort Kearny, and one from
this post. A single command sent into so ex.
tensive country might be euded by the In.
dams during whole season.
deem it proper to state in this connection
that few days since a message was sent in by
the chiefs Of the. Ayer.lal.lahs to trader, who
lives few miles above on the Laramie, with
the following message, which they desired
should be delivered to me:
They say that they took no part in the muir
der Of 1t Grattan's command. One Of the
chiefs was shot at BY the Brulies for interior
ing in behalf Of the whites. As they were leay-
ing, the morning after the massacre, word was
sent to them that the Brulies we're going to
take the presents which were slowed at the
American Fur Company's store; and, as they
we're entitled to share Of them, they returned
and took their part. They then came up in this
vicinity, and sent word to Let Fleming that
they would establish their camp wherever he
said, and that they were ready to assist him if
he desired it. This part Of their statement is
true and the interpreter who brought the mes
sage to Lieutenant Fleming said that, at the re-
quest Of the chiefs, he had been haranguing
the young men all night to prevent their burn
ing the village. Afterwards they we're at the
Forks Of the Cheyenne when the Minicouzhas
were receiving presents, including arms and
- a