New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1869-04-24
THE PLAINS.
OPERATIONS OF CUs1ER's CoMMAND-REsCUE OF
CAPTIVE WOMEN.


tFROM AN OCCASIONAL CORRESPONDENT
Fort HAYS, Kansas, April 12.-The cavalry
expedition under Gen. Custer has reached this point
with the 7th Cavalry Regiment and 18th Kansas N0lun
teer Cavalry Regiment. The command left Medicine
Bluf Creek, l. T. Qhen Gen. Sheridan's hcadqnarterS
Oh the Cd ut and moved westward into Texas, securing
the saked Plains" the Red River, and its tributaries
This movement was attended with hardships. The mems
rations gave out d for week the meat OF abandoned
horses and mules furnished food for the troopers The
forage also became exhausted and the animals subsisted
chiefly upon the bark OF trees found on tho
creeks Frequently it wasnecessary to camp for night
where no wood water could be found Forces OF cav
airy OF various strength have been moving every day
dng the past Winter IN the Indian Territory Texas
Colorado and Kansas Aside from other tangible results
the Indians knowledge OF all these movements, made re-
gardless Of and weather is TO DO pen
encal noted chi q recently said, that now he cannot
remain long onoughn one place 80 get seat w"rn be-
The perseverance which has Characterized operations
prsng several sands OF the Shey enhes Slaeh ~ On
secluded tributary OF the Red River, IN Texas THIS was
when moving northward and forming two columns
OF which continued on the same course the Wash
ita while the other turned to-the southwest, and, after
ten. days continuous mateh, came sudnehy upon Ihe
enemy, In camps Of 20 lodges They wero seized with
rection opposite that' which they had watched and
guarded. fyincibe against the stenlthy approach ot
their white enemies, Indians have formerly believed
themselves their ehagrn the quick arriy a Of
| cavalry, as II rising up from out the hOflzOli'
The indians rode out by hundreds TO meet us and
to be greatly pleased with the noye. Of the white man
face aga-O his accoutrcments ana general make up"
and made known their hearty welcome and anxiety for
the command 10 come right in aud camp down beside
them They ,.ere than glad 10 us Gen. Custer
WAS hurried into the Head Chiefs lodge, and seated
between that Chief AMI the Medlc.ne Man, t 9i NE
sitting in circle with heads uncovered kind OF prayer
or haranguo was rapidly repeated by Chief which all
| the others made occasional responses. THIS was
continued az some lehglh, at the same time
he % Whenever
tired OF smoking he urged TO continue with great
earnestness Next came party of mounted warriors,
adorned and painted to the fullost.exten embelshed
with all the paraphaneia OF warbOnnets shields spears
blowing kind of lageOct They described circles this
way different sides Of the camp. Meanwhile the
sGuaws were hastily saddng thelr ponies ana packihg
their most available property for speedy Shipment. TO
more cOngenla atmosphere; ana at tho same time the
column moved steadily round the villages TO the oppO
site side and then Sailed But alas for soldiers unre
Quoted enthusiasm M attack canno'se made. silent
two OF its unfortunate citizens reaches the COMMANDER
within the limits OF that village Ihey are valuable now,
the think, and they determine 10 parleY for
which TO hurry their people Quickly three .chiefs
and warrior arc surrounded by guard. aud Informed
the evening they will be hung upon tree by.
The chiefs were permitted to send tho fourth Indian
nervously the next day Tor approach Before the
SUMS shadows grew long the following Afternoon party
scene and many stout heart among those who looked
on and thought OF home longed for revenge Then the
But they promised only their lives not their
Freedom If the condition. should DC fulfilled Mrs. Nor
gan WAS captured by warpary Of SIOUX at her home,
where her husband was then killed. on the Solomon
River Kansas in October, 1868. She WAS aerward sold
TO the Cheyennes Miss White was captured by q like
party, Of Cheyenne IN the previous August from her
home the Republican River, Kansas. He father
killed at the time detailed account Of the cruel
ties which these unfortunate women have endured
as the slaves and lab0rers OF sayages for long
weary months hewers OF wood and drawers Of water
toiling always living at times the flesh OF mules and
ponies which had died with disease, well dogs
aud "A
attempted escape but found the next day by
Indian who fired shot above their heads TO frghten
tem before they OF his presence. They had
walked about ~ miles at night aud were nearly run down
time In the dark by herd Of buffalo stampedlng
Sometimes, when they displeased their associates they
beaten, like beasts with sticks Their chief Occupa
ton carrying wood upon their backs for the lodge
fires; often bringing far mile They experienced
material change Of treatment for the better after the
battle OF Washta They first both inquired where they
were, and how far from their homes They stated that
the Cheyonnes in Strengthened circumstances for food
that they have nothing 10 eat except their dogs aud
ponies Fifyye Chcyennes are held here as prisoners
until the tribe In to treat for peace according ~
stipulation.