The weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1852-1858, 1856-01-05
THE LATEST NEWS FROM THE PLAINS

for Further Peace GlUen Cy the SiOuT-POsi-
tion of the United States Military Force in
the Country.
By the politeness of an officer of the Uni
ted States army, who has just returned from
Fort Laramie, we have been placed in pos
session of reliable information from that quar-
ter several weeks later than anything which
has yet been received.
Gen. Harney, who, as our readers have
been already advised is now at Fort Pierre,
previous to his departure from Fort Laramie
made demand upon the Sioux of the Platte
for the murderers of the mail party. He
stated that he had already visited punish
ment upon them for the murder of Lieuten-
ant Grattan and his command, but that, as
preliminary to any conditions of peace, he
must have delivered to him those Indians
who had committed the murder above allu-
ded to, as also the murderers of Gibson.
After his departure from Fort Laramie
the Indians, consisting chiefly of Sioux, came
into the neighborhood of the Fort and asked
leave to encamp there. This was granted
them, and thereupon three of the murderers
of the mail party came to the Fort dressed
in full war costume, painted for their death
song, and gave themselves up, or to use their
own expressive language, "threw their lives
away for the good of the tribe" They were
'Red Leaf'' and 'Long Chin" the two broth
ers of the "Bear," or ssMatteiowan," who
was killed in the affair with Lieut.. Grattan,
and "Spotted TAIL" noted brave. At the
same time, sRed Plume'' and the "Spotted
Elk" also came in and offered themselves as
hostages for the peace of the tribe. They
were all accompanied by their squaws; and
rr,aro Of o,,oa Y,1oca1 ,,pIor rr,,orJ Afto,
wards, they were all brought down to Fort
Major johnson of the 5th Infantry, and an
were Lieut.. w. D. Smith and Lieut.. Cor
don, the latter of whom only came as far as
Fort Riley.
The general disposition of the Sioux of the
South Platte seems to incline to peace and
their action in this behalf certainly evinces
such feeling. They would have sent in all
five of the murderers, but one of them is too
ill to be moved, whilst the other fed the vii
lage. In regard to the person who killed
Gibson, they have already sent out runners
to bring him in, and he may be expected to
be delivered up. The Sioux of the Missouri
are, however, more troublesome, and it is
expected that the war with them will have
to be renewed in the spring. The troops in
that quarter have for the present gone into
winter quarters. The men are doing well,
but the horses are suffering great deal, and
dying very fast.
The position of the United States troops
as at preseut disposed in the Indian country,
is as follows: G-4
At Fort Laramie, there are stationed five
companies of the 9th Infantry, one company
Capt. Heath's-of the 9th infantry, and
Howe's Light Artillery company.
At Fort Pierre, there are six companies of
the 9th Infantry. 1883
At short distance below Fort Pierre,
two companies of the I'd Dragons, under
the command of Maj. Graham, have gone in
to winter quarters. -
At Loup-tle Cour, there are stationed two
companies of the I'd Dragons, and one COM
pany Of Infantry.
At Fort Kearney, there is only one compa-
ny of the 9th Infantry, under the command
of Capt. Wharton. fr4
The Fort at Ash Hollow, which was tenn
porarily established, has been broken upand
abandoned. ~g
The reports brought in are of gueat deal
of snow on the plains. The game is scarce,
and travelling severe.
We further learn from the same source
that the steamer White Cloud did not sue
ceed in getting up to Fort Pierre. She only
reached the mouth of White River, about
sixty miles below the fort.
Flying rumors of difficulties with the Crow
and Cheyenne Indians were afoat, but as
they came principally from traders who were
interested in the matter, but little credit
was attached to them.-&. Louis Democrat.
DR.. Kane's forthcoming book says the
Chicago Press, promises to be one Of the
most interesting and attractive of the sea-
son. Childs and Peterson, Philadelphia, are
to be the publishers, who are making prepa-
rations to bring out the work in the best pos.
sible style. The paintings and drawings
from sketches by DR.. Kane, are being pre-
pared by the distinguished artist, James
Hamilton, Esq, who has devoted severa
years to the study of Arctic subjects, in con
nection with DR.. Kane. There will be TWEEN