The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1865-06-13
THE INDIANS OF THE PLAINS.
Some Account Of their Present Strength and
Condition.
.bo N;es
From the Missouri Democrat.

few DAYS ago we met with Col. Jesse II.
i Leavenworth, of the ID Colorado cavalry, aud
II obtained from him some reliable facts relative
to the Indian tribes of the plains, their present
strength and condition.
The prinical tribes now at war with the Uni
ted States are the Sioux, the Cheyennes. and a
portion Of the Arrapahoes Last year the kio-
was committed some depredations upon trains
crossing the plains, but Col. Leavenworth went
to see them, and obtained from them promise
not to modest the whites until he should return
from Washington. The hostile tribes inhabit
the country bordering on the Platte River,
north Of that stream, and the headwaters of the
Smoke Hill. Last year they came down as far
south as the Santa fe road, but their range is
further north.
The Friendly Indians
The Camanches, Arrapahoes, Apaches and
Kiowas are on friendly terms With the whites,
and will remain so, if they are not molested. In
addition to these tribes, there are several small
bands, the remnants of once powerful tribes,
who live on the Usage lands, south of the Ar
kansas river. These are the Caydoes, number
ing about 800; the Waycoes, ia; Keichis, 150;
Wichitas, 800; Towacoroes, $50; all half civil
lized, and are from the neighborhood of Fort
Cobb, Texas At the commencement Of the re-
bellion the rebels endeavored to induce these
bands to join them in making war upon the I'm
ion, but they refused, and were so firm in their
loyalty that, rather than 60 to war against the
government, they abandoned their pleasant
homes, fields aud houses, and came within the
Union lines. They have suffered much, and
are very poor
Having acquired civilized habits, they were
unable to provide for their wants in their new
homes, and were compelled to part with the
greater portion of their cattle and horses, to
procure the necessaries lite. The Caydoes are
the most advanced in civilization; they cultivate
the soil, raise poultry, cattle, &c and their wo-
men dress pretty much as ours do, with the ex-
ception Of the duplexeliptical hoops and long
skirts. The Government has given the Caydoes
two aunuties Of $4,000 each, which proved of
II great benefit to them. They live in thatched
j lodges, in permanent towns. A lodge usually
consists of brave, his wives and children, the
number OF persons to each lodge averaging
about FIVE.
The Wichiras are the only people among these
bands who understand the art Of tanning. This
band is branch of the Camanches, and came
originally from the Wichitas Mountains, in
Texas. They now reside near the mouth. Of the
Little ARKANSAS, south of the Arkansas River.
Colonel Ford is now ON an expedition among
these Indians.
THE Camanches
The largest of all the prairie tribes, is the
Camanche nation 1t consists of nine bands, of
from five to seven hundred warriors to band.
Allowing three women and children to lodge,
the total population uay be estimated at about
$4,000 souls Each band is separate organi-
zatiou, bnt the head chief directs the other
chiefs The Camanches range over country
about fifteen hundred miles in length by five or
six hundred broad, extending from the Rocky
mountains to the Arkansas. They are, perhaps,
the most skillful horsemen in the world, and are
always supplied with good animals, their stables
being constantly replenished by captures from
the wild mustangs that range the plains OF
Northern Texas in large numbers.
These chiefs have assured Colonel Leaven-
worth that they were the firm friends of the
Whites especially tie head chiefs and Mah-wee.
When one of Colonel Leavenworths men killed
Caeyennes and he was sur, rounded BY host
Q: angry Indians, threatening otake his life, /
these chiefs stood by him ike brothers, and, by /