American citizen. [volume] (Butler, Butler County, Pa.) 1863-1872, 1867-05-08
Gen. Hansook's Indian Expedition

The Gov overnment, aroused at last to the
necessity of doing something to prevent
a repetition of the massacre at Fort Phil
ip Kearney, has sent an expedition to the
Plains under Major General Winfield s.
Hancock The com mand reached Fort
IIarker on the first of April, and went
into camp on the "Smoky Bottom" just
just west of the post; from which
camp il moved on the third of April, 60
ing to Fort Larned on She Arkansas Riy-
er, distant from Harker about 50 miles
The troops are under command OF Gen.
A. j. Smith. They number about 2,00G
men, and consist Of the Seventh United
States Cavalry, Col. Custer; Thirty-sev-
enth United States Infantry, Capt. John
Rziha; Battery B, Fourth United States
Artillery, Captain Parsons end an En-
gineer Corps commanded by Lieutenant
Micah Brown. General J. w. Davidson
accompanies the expedition as Inspector
General "Wild Bill" who, since the
publication of his exploits in the Febru-
airy Number of Harpers Magazine, has
had greatness thrust upon him, is attach
ed as scout and quite number of
Delaware Indians accompany the COM
mand in the capacity of scouts, guides,
hunters, and interpreters.
As the command drags its slow length
along over the plains, "horses, foot, and
dragons" artillery, pontoon, baggage,
and supply trains present most formid-
able appearance; and it is probable that
the "moral effect" will be to awe the red
men into good behavior for a time A
grand "pow-wow," will be held near Ft.
Larned, and arrangements will be effect
ed, it is hoped, which will afford security
and safety to those whose business com
pels them to either travel through or re-
side in the valley of the Smoky Hill. a
consultation was held at Fort Dodge re-
Gently with the Kiowas, which tribe pro-
fessed friendship for the whites, but said
that the Blackfeet, Sioux, Cheycnnes,
Arrapahoes, and Comanches, had formed
confederation, and were determined to
to wage bloody war against the whites.
They report, also, that some of the more
northern tribes have banded together for
a similar purpose.
General Hancock has with him little
Indian boy six years Of age, whom he is
carrying to restore to his people, they
having by recent treaty stipulated for
the return of this child. Three years
since the First Colorado Volunteers, un>
der Col. Chivington, attacked 2 parry of
Indians at Sand Creek. Of over three
hundred Indians attacked this child, then
a babe of three years, is the only survi-
vor, he having been saved and clrried off
by soldier The little boy is particu.
larly bright and intelligent, and is heart
broken at the thought of being given over
to the Indians, though he can form but
very faint conception of the hardship
in store for him. The child has evident
ly had good care taken of him, and an
incident which occurred at Fort Loaven,
worth has led the whole command to re-
gard his return TO the savages.as an out.
rage. A few days since, while party oi
gentlemen were dining at Fort Leaven
worth, one of them, q Major General con
nocted with the command, felt himgel
touched on the arm, and looking around
saw this little Cheyenne standing besid
him. The General had been very kline
to this little fellow, and had won his af
fections completely.
"Don't drink that" said the child
pointing TO the glass on the table.