The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-04-05
G U s. TER.


In The TELEGRAPH of Saturday summary
was given OF news from General Custer. Since
then we have received the text OF his official
despatch to the commanding general. On the
18th OF March General Ouster's command ar
rived within sight of Cheyenne village, on
the North Fork of the Washita river, Texas.
Leaning that two female captives were in the
Indian camp, Custer secured the persons of
Jour of the chiefs, and held them as hostages
until the captives were released. This was to
have been done within twelve hours, but Little
Robe, the Cheyenne chieitaiu, failed to COM
ply withthe demand. Says General Custer:-
therefore determined not to DC put off any
longer, and told him we had then waited three
days for them to give us the white woman, aud
had obtained no satisfactory response; tnas |
should walt one day longer, but If by sunset the
following day the white woman was not de-
liyered up, would hang to tree, which was
there designated, three OF the men held captive
by me (the fourth having been sold as a runner
10 Little Robe), and that the follow day
would follow and attack the village With
this message the chief departed. The pext day
was one of no little anxiety TO all and to none
more than the three captive Cheyennes, who
I certainly intended to hang ii their people
failed TO accede to our demands. The ropes
were ready aud the limb selected, when about Q
o'clock p. NJ. small party of Indian warri ors
were seen approaching camp. They halted on
a knoll about one mile distant, while one of
their lumber came forward with the welcome
intelligence that the women we're with them
and would be given up; but this was coupled
with the proposition tBat | should exchange
the three men or two of them for the women.
THIS was refused, and the return OF the women
demanded at once and Internationally.
reluctant consent to this proposition was
givep. The Indian, however, feared to come
inside our lines. LieutenantColonel Moove
and Majors Jones and jenkins, of the 10Th
Kansas, were therefore detailed to go out and
receive him. Officers and men assembled near
the outpost TO welcome two of their own people
to freedom from bondage more horrible than
death. More than one voice faltered with emo.
tion, and many eyes dimmed with tears as all
crowded around the released captives and
rendered heartfelt congratulations upon their
release. Both the Latter belong 10 highly re-
spectahe families. Bo,h are young, Miss
White being about eighteen, and Miss Nor
gan about tweDtyfo1r. The story of their
captivity and treatment by their captors is
recital of such har6arous crueties aud
enormous indignities that it is surprising that
civilized beings could endure it and still sur
vVe. After conversing with the released cap
the proprlety OF attacking the villages. The
Indians had expressed determination to kill
them had the attack been made. Many inte-
resting facts were elected from MISS Morgan
and Miss White. 1t seems that prCr to the
battle Of the Washita, where we captured SO
many OF their women and children, the Indians
SUBJECTED their two caPtlves to the most cruel
savage manner Since that battle they have
never been given blow.
In passing through their deserted camps we
on several occasions discovered the remains of
carcasses of horses and mules, cut In such
manner as to indicate that they had been eaten
by the Indians. This belief was strengthened
by the fact that no buffalo, or recent signs of
buffalo, were observed anywhere along the
route pursued by the Indians, our operations
during tie winter having forced them beyond
the buffalo range. Such we now know to be
the fact. Both the released captives state the
entire tribe is in state of actual starvation,
and for weeks have been sub-isting entirely on
the flesh of their mules and PONIES, which have
died from starvation.
That often the allowance for each person
for one week was not sufficient for one meal,
the supply provided for their winter wants
having been exhausted long ago, aud having
eaten nearly all their dogs. Their ponies are
more than ordinarily poor, as, fearing sur
prise or attack by US, they have kept them
tied close TO their lodges, instead OF grazing
them as usual. These are some of the results
of our winter campaign. After obtaining the
release of the two white women, | moved my
command up the stream twelve miles, to the
vicinity Of the deserted Indian village, the
lodge poles furnishing us fuel for our night
encalDpment.
My command in this way burned up the poles
of upwards of two hundred lodges. Besides
this The Indians lost much OF their camp furni-
ture, and many buffalo robes and ponies. We
captured considerable number Of ponies,
bows, arrows shells, and firearms. Little
Robe, and other chiefs with whom have con-
and declare their intention OF making their way
TO the point which has been designated, and
there submit themselves to the decision
of the Government authorities. Aside
from procuring the release OF the
two women held captive by the Chey-
ennes, being the only captives now held 6y hos.
tile tribes in this department, result OF itself
more than compensatirg this command for all
II has been called upon TO endure, we have pene-
tIated every haunt frequented by the five tribes
which were lately hostle, We now know their
accustomed routes and hiding places. We have
taught the Indians that they are safe from US in
no place and ut no season; and aleo what some
of our own people may doubt-that the white
man can endure the inclemencies Of winter bet
ter than the Indian. "
marched has been little or incorrectly known.
This uncertainty no longer exists There are
many officers in this command who, without
guides, can conduct an expedition from lied
liver to the Platte, and encamp on fresh water
stream every night. The point at which we
the Sweetwater about ten miles west of the
State line.
Before closing my report desire to call the
attention of the Major-General commanding to
the unVaryng good conduct OF this command
since it undertoo ok this march.
We started with all the rations and forage
that could be obtained, neither sufficient for the
time we have already been out.
First, II became necessary to reduce the
amount to half rat'ons; afterwards still
greater reduction was necessary, and to night
most of my men made their suppers from the
aesh OF mules that had died on the march from
starvation. When called upon to move in light
marching order they abandoned tents and
blankets without murmur, although much OF
the march had been made during the preva-
lence OF the severest winter weather | have
ever Witnessed in this latitude.
The horses and mules OF this command have