Sioux City register. [volume] (Sioux City, Iowa) 1858-1871, 1863-11-14

portion Of them were encamped on the
Missouri river west Of me-
This report was SO much in keeping
with the Indian mode of warfare, that
though il came from an Indian, | was led
to give it some consideration, PARTICULAR y
| the part that stated the Indians, after
watching Sibley's return, recrossed when
oil danger was over, and went back to
their Old hunting grounds. Besides, the
guides who were acquainted with the coun'
try,<ta.ed that "a large body Of Indians
could not live on the other side long,
without. going a great distance west; that
always at this season of the year the ln-
d!ans camped on the Coteau, near the tri.
butaries Of the James, where the numer.
GUS lakes or springs kept the grass fresh ;
here the buffalo were plenty, and the lakes
and streams full of fish; and that here
they prepared their meat for the winter,
moving to the Missouri where the fuel Was
plenty to winter. therefore determined
to change my course towards the East, TO
move rapidly, and 90 as far as my ra.ions
would allow
felt serious alarm for the safety OF
Captain La Boo, who had but so men
with HIM, and who had Already hecn
out over two days without ratjous en-
camped here for the next day, and sent
out four companies Of the > Nebraska
and one of the 9th Iowa under com n and
Of Major Pearman, I'd Nebraska, to hunt
him up. and see if there we're any Indians
On the Missouri. The next dav, however,
Captain La Boos company returned, hav.
ing made march of one hundred and
eiGhty'seven miles, living upon what huf.
falo and game they could kill, securing
the country to my left, overtaking the
camp of ten lodges he was sent after, des
troying them. but seeing no Indians
This same day (29th) sen, two compan
les of the 9th Iowa to the mouth Of Apple
creek. They reported on their return
that they found the fortified camp of Gen
Sibley, his trail. and his return trail to-
wards the east that they conli see no
signs of there having been any fight there
nor could they see the M4ckinaw boat re.
ported by the old Indian. This de,ach>
ment was under command ut Captain
Cram. 9th Iowa. The battalion Of Major
Pearman jot.ei me tefore starting. hav
ing seeh nothing, and, after march OF
above ninety miles, through country
with no wood whatever, but with good
grass and plenty OF lakes OF the most
abcminab'c water. On the 81 Of Sep,em
ber we reached lake, where, GA the
plains near by, were the remains Of u
very large number OF buffalo killed, some
quite recently, Here | encamprd to wal,
the reports OF the commands | had vu,
during the march, who every day discuv-
cred fresh S sns of Indians, Ih~ir lodge
trails spread over the country, but al!
moving towards Il point known to be
t.vocite Enur, OF the lu,!ians. had this
day detailed one battalion of the 6;h Iowa
Major Huu>e commanding, and Mr.. Frank
La tr Jmboise as guide, to keep ahead of
me five miles and in case tIey saw a
small band OF Indians to attack them, or
take them prisoners. II they should find
a large band, too large to successfully
cope with, to watch the camp at a distance
and send back word to me, my intention
being to leave my train under charge OF
heavy guard, move up in the nigh. time
so rs to surround them, and attack them
at daybreak. But, ior some reason salts.
factory to the guide, he bore off much to
my lett, and came upon the Indians in an
encampment Of over four hundred lodges,
some say six hundred, in ravines. where
they felt perfectly secure, being fully per
suadsd that was still on my way up the
Missouri. This is what the Indian pris.
oners say. They also state that war
party followed me on my way up in hopes
Of stampeding me; but dis they could
not do | marched with great care, with
an advance guard and nankers; the train
in two lines sixty PAGES apart; the troops
on each side; in front and center myself
with one company aud the battery oil
the loose stock was kept between the lines
Of wagons. In this way lost no animals
on the campaign except some few, about
dozen, that got out Of camp at night.
Nor did the Indians. during all the trip,
ever attack me or try to stampede me.
Major House, according to my instruc
tions, endeavored to surround and keep in
the Indians until word could be sent me
but this was an mpossibillty with bis 800
men, as the encampment was 'very large,
mastering ut leas, 200 warriors. This
is what the INDIANS say they had; but |,
Is we'll as every body in the command, say
over 1900. These lndicns were partly
Santees from Minnesota, Cutheads from
the Coteau, lanktonais aud some Black
feet who belong on the other side of the
Missouri, aud, US | have since learned,
Unkpapas, the same party who fought
General Sibley and DESTROYED the Maci-
nav boat. OF this have unmistakeable
proof from letters and papers found in the
camp and on the persons Of some Of the
Indians. besides relics Of the late Mime.
sofa massacre; also from the fact that
they told Mr. La FAomboise, the guide,
when he was surrounded by about 200 Of
them, that "they had fought General
Sibley, and they could not see why the
whites wanted to come and fight them,
unless they were tired Of living and want,
ed to die" Mr.. La Frombeise succeeded
in getting away from them after some
difficulty, and ran his horse distance of
more than ten miles to give me informa-
ton, Major House, with his command,
still remaining there. He reached me
little otter o'clock. Immediately turn.