The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1868-08-09

UISU you Will uIu your l1uC 1CW dlN AVA
your labors and for the dangers and priva-
tons which you have encountered in the
consciousness that you have done much to
promote peace on earth and good will to
men; bnt We should do injustice to our
own feelings were we not to render to you
our thanks and express our deep sense of
the obligations under which you have this
day laid us.
i've are, dear sir, with sentiments of the
highest respect, your very obedient servants,
WIN. S. HARVEY, Bvt. Major Gen. and
Indian Peace Commissioner.
JOHN B. SANBoRN,i Commissioner.
ALFRED ]. TERRY, Bvt. Major Gen.
u. S. A. and Commissioner.
A correspondent of the same paper-a
Aimy-gives some further interesting par
ticulars of the labors and services of the
Reverend Father.
In May, the Commission succeeded in
\ getting number of the chiefs OF the most
formidable and warlike bands to meet them
in council at Fort Laramie, on the Platte.
The Umpkapagas still refused to come in
to make any terms with the whites, and,
of course, any treaty with the Sioux, which
did not embrace>th large and mischievous
band, would be useless.
In this emergency, Father De Smet, who
has passed laborious life in the cause of
true religion and humanity, notwithstand-
ing his years, volunteered to try and reach
the hostile camps and use his influence to
bring the chiefs to meet the Commissioners
at Fort Rice. AS the letter of the Conmis-
sioners inform you, his mission was conl1
pietely successful.
OF the hardships and dangers of the jour
-ney could give. you but an inadequate
idea, unless You knew the great plains and
the fierce spirit of revenge which forms a
part of an Indians nature. Father De Smet
is the only white man living who could
visit the home of those fierce savages and
return alive.
one of the hostile chiefs, addressing the
Father in the camp of the hostiles said,
q Had it been any other man but you,
Black Gown, this day must have been his
LAST Father DE Smet had with him as in
terpreter Mr.. Galpin, who is married to an
Indian woman, an Umpkapaga. This lady,
who is good Catholic, is very e4celie en-
person, and fine illustration of how the
Indian may be improved under the infiu-
euces of religion and civilization. Father
De Smet's route was nearly due west from
Fort Rice the hostile camp was formed
upon the Yellowstone river, above the
mouth of Powder river, the distance Crav-
eled going and returning being seven hum
dred miles. The country travelled over
was a desert, very sterile, with very little
vegetation, excepting the sage (artemisia)
of the plains; no buffalo excepting upon
the Yellowstone, where they were album
dant. Father De Smet is known as the
"Black Gown" also Z" The Great Medl-
clue Man. amongst the Indians. He
always wears his gown and crucitx when
with them. He is the only man whom i
have ever seen the Indians show real affec-
ton for. They say in their simple out
spoken style that he is the only white man
who never tells lies. Their reception OF
him at the hostile camp was grand and en-
thusiastic they came out twenty miles to
meet him, and their principal chiefs riding
beside him, escorted him i'll great triumph
to their camp. The camp contained above
five hundred lodges, which, at the usual
calculation of six Indians to the lodge
would give three thousand Indians. Du.
ring his stay of three days, the principal
chiefs, "The Black Moon" and the Z" Sit
ting Bull" who have beentormidable lead
ers in the war against the whites for the
last four years, kept constant guard Over
the Reverend Father, sleeping ut his side 10y
night, fearing that some Indian who hac
lost relations, killed by the whites, might
ATTEMPT harm to the Father. During til,
day crowds of little children flocked to hi
lodge. and mothers brought their little
ones that he might place his hands on thel
heads and bless them. In council IN ~
hostile camp the great chiefs promised INA
the war should end. ''Ihe sitting Blli
said he had been the bittercst chc:If ot TIN
whites, he had fought tl,.. 18th all h'
strength, but now that the " Black Gown
had come to speak words ot1peace. he wa
done with wal. he would never raise
hand against the whites The chiefs "i IN
hostile camp sclccteda delegation OF thci
principal warriors who. came in Wit
Father Ne Smetto meet the commission
els at Fort Rice; they arrived on the 3ot
of June. The arrival of the Ecvcren
Father With the delegation from the hos