Sioux City register. [volume] (Sioux City, Iowa) 1858-1871, 1865-10-28
Siouf City 8tgisttr
SATURDAY., oCTOBE as, SOS.
SKETCHES FROM THE JOURNAL
OF A TRAvELER..THE GREAT
"PEACE COMMISSION oAT FORT
SULLY, q. r., OCT. 10, 1905.

Correspondence Of the Sioux City Register.
The long expected Peace Commission
arrived few days ago, their approach
having been heralded by the territorial
representative portion Of it, coming day
or two in advance, to prepare the way and
inspire the Indians with the proper feel
ings Of awe and respect for their august
presence.
II so happened that on the day Of bis
arrival, several chiefs Of the Minnecon-
gies and Sans Ares tribes came in from
their camps, distance of over hundred
aud fifty miles, in compliance with mes
sage sent to them several weeks before by
General SULLY, whom they came expressly
to see. The Governor, however, apprc-
priated the whole visit to himself, and
concluded to anticipate the rest of his
associates, and give the Indians touch
Of his quality and intentions. After the
interview with General SULLy, which
seemed 10 be entirely satisfactory to them,
IA, least they expressed themselves SOY
and having been supplied with something
to eat, they told the General that they
would go back to their camp, and after
their fall hunt was over would bring in
their families, and remain at some of the
posts through the winter, and would bury
the Ratchet and once more be brothers
with the white man
This is the only kind of peace that has
been made by General SULLY, with the
various bands Of Sioux, who three years
ago were in deadly hostility to the whites,
but are now, and have been for the past
year or two bis allies, scouts and messen-
gers in his efforts to bring abou. peace
and quiet in this portion Of the Indian
country, and ell without appropriations,
annuisies, Tor any promises of them) pre-
sent, or any other expense than little
bareback, bacon, sugar and coffee.
The Governor was very anxious that
they should remain until the rest of the
Commissioners came-and after much
persuasion by General SULLY, they we're
6hally prevailed upon to wal. three days
for them, though they expressed them
selves averse to seeing the Commission.
ers at all, as they we're afraid they would
want them to sign some paper that would
take from them their lands and homes,
and oblige them to seek new ones farther
west.
The next day, the Governor had them
assembled, together with some friendly
Indians, and after an elaborate speech, as
to the quantity Of ,at'ons, pipes, blankets
and other presents, that they had on the
boat for them, finally wound up with, Eve
don't want your lauds, but We intend to
build roads through them, and you must
allow our emigrants to 60 over them un-
moles,ed; and we intend to 60 to the
Black Hills. to look Tor gold, SO you may
~ we'll make up your minds to let US 60
peaceablv, but zee don't ,oant your laads,"
and much other talk Of the same sort,
which had the effect of making the IN
dams sullen and dissatisfied, and to undo
all the good-feeling and confidence ,ha.
had been created by their interview with
General SULly; and has also had the
effect of making them more dts,rustral OF
the other Commissioners
The steamboat (which by the way is
costing the government about $500, 90 per
day. with balance of the Commission and
stores came in with their immense flags
flying, cannon roaring, and fusilade of
receivers, shot-guns, SC, and consider.
able display Of brass buttons, sardine
dores,' guard of soldiers and noun
tain howi'zer, and with ballast works of
hard bread boxes all around the boat to
protect them from Indian guerri!las, who
were supposed to lay in wait in every
patch OF willows, or grove of cottonwood
along the river, oil Of which must have
frightened the poor, half-starved, ragged
aud naked red-men of the plains into
buck fever.
The Commission is headed, Maj. Gen'l
Curtis, seconded by Brig. Gen'l SlpLEY,
and supported by corps of minor strick-
ers, secretaries, correspondents, &C.. and
q trader who furnishes the Commission
with beads, rings, briar pipes, &c, all Il.
invoice prices, ~ and as you look around
the assemtlage, gathered together in sev-
eral large hospital tents, pitched Oh the
parade ground in the Fort) you are at
once struck with its dignity and impor-
lance; and the idea occurs that you are in
the presence of Commission to settle
the future destn;es Of Europe, or for the
trial Of JEFF. Davis, or some other "Aigh-
toned" criminal, instead Of making a
simple, plain and honorable peace, with
the simple, plain and un,utored savages
Of the Northwest, who still retain all the
habits, manners and prejudices that char
scterized them when our fathers frst