Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1868-12-31
I LISTERS INDIAN CAP
TIVES.
Condaet of the squRws-Demeanor Of
the Weuntied-PsssiOn for Hard

Conduct of the ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS q
the Weunded-PassiOn for Hard
Tack.
A correspondent of the New YorI
Herald writes from the scene o
Gen. Clusters operations as follows
During the first few days of tn,
captivity of the squaws of Black
Kettles band of Cheyennes Their,
was considerable anxiety felt by
them. They all expected they were
to be killed in retaliation of thu
atrocities committed by their band
AT first the wounded ones refused to
go to the hospital, fearing they were
the first singled out for vengeance
The soldiers talking to each Other
not in tones the most gentle and
euphonious, and in a language they
did not understand, they construed
1t into a controversy as to when and
how they were to be disposed of.
In constant dread of what DISPOSE
ton was to be made of them, several
OF the squaws visited Gen. Sheri-
dams interpreter, Mr.. Curtis, and
asked him whether they were all to
be killed. When assured that the
white man did not kill women and
children for what the warriors did,
they felt materially relieved. Since
then the wounded squaws have ap-
peared more lively and exhibit an
unusual feeling of gratitude for the
kind treatment they have been re-
ceiving. This feeling they manifest
by shaking hands with the surgeon
whenever he visits them. The
most remarkable instances of
fortitude are exhibited in the
cases of the wounded Indian chil-
dren. The desperation of the fight
ing at the battle of the Oushita on
the part of the part of the savages,
may be judged from the fact that no
male prisoners were taken over eight
years old, the rest taking up arms
and joining in the fight. There are
now in the hospitsl several very
young boys and girls badly wound
ed, but not from a single one of
them has come the slightest audible
indication of their suffering; vet
the expression of their face, the wild
glance of their eyes, betray that they
DO suffer. During such painful ope-
rations as probing and cleansing out
heir wounds, placing the thumb on
one temple and stretching the hand
across the forehead, fixing the sec
md finger on the temple opposite,
hey close their eyes and patiently
submit to such operations as the
of surgery require. One
title girl about six years of age, has
I bullet hole through her body, on
-he left side, and yet she is up and
makes noeomplaints. All the Woun-
led squaws and children rode in on
heir ponies, refusing to have any
hing to do with ambulances. An
)ther singular feature in the wound
ii is the peculiarly offensive OdOr
Of the slOughing wounds.
The well squaws are still en-
,amped with the cavalry, and seem
% be contented with their lot. The
male children amuse themselves
throwing reeds, as if they were
spears, at different objects, thus dis
playing the cultivation Of their ex-
merit as future warriors.
Among the trophies brought in
vas a handsome lodge, which be
ongs to General Custer. To-day
his was unloaded from the wagon,
md having sent for several squaws,
he General had the lodge put up in
rue Indian styl This is part of
he dufies Of tho squaws, and in a
very few minutes they displayed
heir proficiency to an extent which
every one. The lodge is
If skins, and perfectly white. 1t is
lot at all surprising that the loss of
heir lodges is looked upon by the
Iayages as so great a calamity. The
lumber Of skins, the proper tan
ling of them, fitting and stitching
hem together, constitute evidently
/ labor and expense of considera-
BE magnitude. In setting up a |
Odge, the squaws get around with
he lodge poles in their hands ;
hese they lock at the upper ex-
and set them in position
the skeleton of the lodge
The lodge skin, one end attached to
pole, is laid in an upright posi-
ion against the lodge poles already |
Up; the skin is then unrolled and
around the outside over
he lodge poles. The ends are then
astened with thongs, leaving an
Iperture about three feet high for
IN entrance, and at the top for the
.gress of smoke
The captives, sick and well, have
lot lost APPETITE or flesh since in our
lands. Their capacities for stow
ne away food are truly amazing.
lard tack to them is a great lux
ry, and old and young, sick and
rell, devOur it with all the relish of
,o ,H,so,g4 o,n1 riabart n,I~n