The New Orleans crescent. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1866-1869, 1868-12-31
Correspondence Of the New York Herald

OF
HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF The MISSOURI,
In THE FIELD,
FORK OF THE BEAVER AND WOLF RIVERS,
INDIAN TERRIToRY, Dec. l, 1865.
Yesterday q courier from General Custer an.
nouncee that bis column would encamp that
night within ten miles of this point, and would be
in this morning. Shortly after the sun had passed
Unable objects appearing upon the crest Of a bill
about mile distant. simultaneously accompanied
with shouts and the firing of musketry, announced
the approach of the column. On the summit of
the hill the head OF the column halted for few
moments. Meanwhile Gen. Sheridan took position
in the valley to await the column, which was to
pass the commanding general in review. ALI the
officers and soldiers not on duty assembled in the
vicinity OF II fort to witness the warlike pageant
8 The column was now within short distance of
the commanding general the indians shouted,
the band reiterated the stirring tones OF "Garryo
wen," and the troopers cheered. In response
rounds of huzzas from the troops OF the fort
shouted welcome and congratulation. In the ad-
vance were the Usage Indian trailers. Before
leaving camp this morning they had arrayed and
decorated themselves in q manner becoming the
importance of the occasion. Their faces were
painted in the most fantastic and hideous designs.
About their persons were dangling the trophies
which they had captured in battle. Spears, upon
which were fastened the scalps of their fallen
foes, were slupg upon their shoulders from their
own plated scalp-locks were suspended long
trails Of silver ornaments and feathers over their
shoulders hung shields and bows. and quivers full
of arrows; while in one hand they held their trus.
" rife, and with the other grssped the reins.
Even the animals which the Osages bestrode
were decorated with scalps aud strips of red and
blue banket. At the head of the band rode Lit
tie Beaver, the chief, with countenance as fixed
as stone, yet In bis bearing showing indications of
an inward self glorifcation, which was apparently
kept stirring and swelling higher and higher by
the gesticulations and wild notes of the war
songs shouted by his warriors, intermingled with
whOops and the discharge of rifles. ln moment
of enthusiasm the chief shouted, They call Us
Americans we are Ossges," to which sentiment
went up responsive yell OF approval Conspcu-
Gus in this party was the young Usage warrior
Koom.la. Manche (Trotter.) 1t was he, under the
impulse Of the highest ambition Of Indian valor,
that singled out the great chief Black Kettle the
terror of all the 0ssges. as his victim. After a
severe conflict be reached the GROWING point Of
mis- efforts, and bore away the CHASTITY scalp OF
the terrible chief as the trophy attaching to his
success. With a mark of special attention this
scalp was carefully and Enthusiastically decorated
and burg prominently among the most sacred
possessions of the young warrior.
Following the Indians were the scouts, led by
California Joe, veteran pioneer OF over forty
years. Joe is q hirsute.looking specimen of hu-
manty, exhibiting an altitude Of six feet, a mat
Of led whiskers hiding two thirds of his face, and
long, knotty head of hair. well powdered in
series of coats Of dust, intermixed with stray
blades OF grass, leaves and sticks as the yestges
of his previous nights slumbers upon the bosom
OF mother earth. Joe was a suitable fgurehead
for this motley band of curiously clad. brave, ad
venturous and rugged men. \ ext came General
Custer, riding alone, mounted on magnificent
black stallion. and dressed in q short. blue sack
coat, trimmed with the color Of his arm Of the
service and reinforced with fur collar and cuffs I;
on his head he wore an otter cap. When General
Custer came wi hin fifty ysris Of the commanding
general, he left his position in the column and
dashed up 10 his chief, when warm and hearty
exohspge OF sautstions was made between the
commander and his distinguished and successful
lieutenant.
Next followed the living evidences of the VIC
tory-over fifty squaws and their children, sur
rounded by q suitable guard to prevent their es-
cape. These were mounted on their own ponies,
seating themselves astride the animals, their per-
sons wrapped in skins and blankets, even their
heads and faces being covered, leaving nothing
visible but their eyes. The mothers had their Off
spring mounted behind them, the papoose being
visible on by its diminutive head, peering up
over the back of the head of its mother. As
many % three were mounted on some of the po-
MES. Without q sigh, without glance TO the
right or left, these remnants of the band Of the
once powerful Black Kettle followed with all the
submission of captives. Following them came
the keensighted sharpsbooters, commanded by
Bevet Lieut.. Col. W. W. Cook, and following them
the bravest men of the different companies of the
regiment, in column by platoons, under their pro
per officers.
On q separate line of march from the summit
came the wagon train pouring over the hill 10
| the lead were The ambulances conveying the dead
| and wounded.
The regiment moved up tho Beaver about hall
mile from the fort, and there went into camp.
Returning now to the operations of the advsnc
| ing column, having crossed the Canadian river
| General Custer sent q detachment under Major
Joel II. Elliott up the river, to reconnoiter fol-
| trials, and with orders, should any such exhibit
tons OF the presence of the enemy be discovered
| that q courier should be sent back with the an
| pouncement of the gratifying intelligence. Mean
| while, Gen. Custer, with the main column, would
| proceed down the stream and encamp at a dis
| lance of FIVE or six miles. Hardly had Gen. Gus
| ter reached his camp for the day, than courier;
| came dsshng in, informing him that trail hardl.
twenty four hours old had been found IN the snow
| and leading southwark.
Everything was now excitement and officer
| ard men were anxious and ready to abandon thu
/ few comforts they had with them to set out il
/ pursuit. While Msjor Elliott kept the trail at
trot, Gen. Custer, leaving the train and all tent
| in charge OF Lieut.. Z. G. Mathey, with guard o
| eighty men, and taking but a few wagons con
tanning three days rstions, started across tn,
county. Fortunately the general struck Majo
Elliott's column. The entire command now has
tened forward at the utmost speed the animal
| cor Id endure.
When the report of the Usage trailers of the di,
covery of the village reached Gen. Clusters ear
the general with several officers crept up stealth
lily TO the crest Of hill overlooking the village
first he Seps sss Il Ps hs S S the
bright to enable him to define the dark object
which be saw in the valley. At first he remarke
they were bUffaloes, as 1t was an extraordinar
occurrence TO get SO close to village without a
alarm being given. In bis opinion that the oil
ects they saw were buffaloes. the general ha
also the like opinions of the officers with him. A
was as silent as if the presence of hostile fore
| were not there to break the wild solitude Of th
scene. Suddenly the distant tingling of be
broke upon the alert ears of the party. Th
slight and welcome sound solved the mystery. To
Usage chief repeated his words, heaps ponies.
The general tuning to those with him, said in
whisper, 4" am satisfied they are ponies, the her
of the village bufsloes are not in the habit
wearing such ornaments as bells 10 this country
The party now retained. and fearing that the d
timely neigh of horse or some unusual soun
might signal their presence to the sleeping So
ages, the column was withdrawn to distanc
The men were ordered TO stand by their horse
and not allow ed to build fires or even to stan
their feet for fear of defeating the success Of u
attack. A small detachment of dismounted me
were left to watch the village, with instructions
attack Immediately should the savages show al
l kx,s f~.,~r hafr 1nI1o