The weekly Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1861, 1856-01-10
THE LATEST FROM THE PLAINS.
ROCKY MOUNTAIN INDIANS
Fight with the Crows and Black.
feet.
ST. JOSEPH, Mo, Dec. 10, 1855.

ST. JOSEPH, Mo-, Dec. l9, 1855.
Alfred J, Vaughan, Esq, son of Col. A.
]. Vaughan, Indian Agent at Fort Pierre,
arrived yesterday from the head waters of
the Missouri, whittier he accompanied Col.
Cumming, who went to that wild and distant
region last spring, to endeavor to effect
tresty between the Gros Ventfes, Pagans,
Bloods, and Black Feet this side of the Noun
tans, and the Nez Perces, Poado-riel- les,
Koo-te.neys, and other Indians living on the
western slope of the Rocky Mountains
These tribes have always been at war with
each other, and have greatly annoyed the
traders, voyageurs and engineers; who have
been obliged to pass through their country.
For this and other reasons, it was desirable
to effect amlcable relations between them
selves and with ouselves, which happy result
has been most successfully accomplished by
the sound judgment, coolness and address
Of Col. Cumming. The treaty was conclud-
ed Oh the 18th day Of Octob last; and Gov.
Stevens, who had been detained at Fort
Benton, BY the unsettled conditions of the
Indian country, left on the Gath of October,
just one week after the treaty, for Wasing-
ton Territory. ,...l r .-....t ~. .....
Col Cumming and party left in Mackin-
uw boats, and came by water as far as Fort
Pierre, which point they reached on the 4th
Of November, when the river became froz.
en-, and they had to leave their boats, and
come thence by land. Their horses were
sent by land to meet them at Fort Pierre,
but on the 9Th of November, on Apple Creek
short distance below Cannon Ball river,
they were stoieE by band of Yanctons or
1'e-to- cou-pes. The latter band live upon
the Mississippi river, but often pass the win
ter on the Missouri, and were seen in tina,
neighborhood about that time.
Col. Cumming will be down in few
days. The traders at Fort Union are ap-
prehensive of trouble and difficulties, this
winter, with the Sansarc Indians. One or
two persons attached TO the company OF Har-
vey. Primeau & Co., have been molesled
and badly treated by some OF the members
o. this band. One of the clerks was lately
caught out and stripped and severely whip.
ped with switches. The members ol the com
pany keep close now, and are fortirying
themselves nguinst the attack.
Whilst at Fort Benton, Mr. Vaughan, Mr..
a hunt. In the evening they encamped a.
bout forty miles from the Fort. When they
had prepared their supper and were eating,
band of thirty-six. Crows came and took
their coffee cups out of their hands and
drank their coffee and ate their provisions.
In few minutes after they departed, a large
band of Blackieet, numbering hundred and
twenty-five or fifty, came up. They were
informed OF the presence of the Grows and
the direction they had gone. They dashed
offin full pursuit and returned in few hours
with the scaIps of the Crows. A few Of
the Elackfeet were slain in the conflict -
These two tribes have neve: been at peace
and it was in vain that Col. Cumming tried
to get the Crows into the council. He sent
for them at their usual haunts. but they
could not be found. They were divided in
to war parties and were going towards Ore
gon with numbers of stolen horses.
In the month of September, when Col.
Vaughan rendered to the Blackfeet, Sioux
and Une.pa-pas the presents which their
Great Father at Washington had sent them,
they treated him with great indfgrity. A
chief approached and took off the Colonels
spectocles, and said he should not look at
them through double eyes. This same
chief and others then shot their guns to-
wards and by him-not with the intention
Of injnrinp him but to show their contempt
for the United States. They said they
wanted no more presents, that they could
get along without the assistance Of the Uni
ted States, and that their Great Father, as
he was called, wanted to cheat them out of
their lands. Col. Vaughan assured them
that these goods were q gratuity, a gift OF
friendship, for which their Great Father
expected nothing in return. The old chief
replied: "You may SO talk--you have al
ways SO talked, but who ever knew the
United States to glue anything without ex-
pecting something more substantial and UGl-
uabs In return2" They then loaded their
guns with powder, and shot fire into the
goods and burned Them up. This occur
red before the news of Gen. Harney's|
victory at Ash Hollow reached them.--
Since then their conduct has been very
different. They appear intimidated and dis
posed to friendship. Fiaa lssl sfiet.'sl f
Gen. Harney is now at Fort Pierce, and
undetermined as to bis next movement, nn-
til the conclusion Of the Grand Council
which be is shortly to hold with all the In
dams in that region. suppose ne will
consider ell to be enemies who do not come
in. Il
Mr.. Vaughan describes the river and it's
scenery, from It's source In Crystal Springs
down TO the confluence Of the Judith, as
beautiful and sublime beyond descriptions.
The water is so purely Hmped that the
bright pebbles sparkle like, jewels in itsl
bosom, and the finny tribe glisten and CLEAN
like rays of silyery light 90 they sport and
plsy, and shoot with lightning speed through
the clear balls Of their transparent hone.