Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1869-01-11
JANUARY IL, 1869.
0blo STATESMAN,
Our Indian Complications No. S.
Black Kettle.
fFrom III. Cincinnati Gazette ]

SldlH. OueTludu dllltS, Inc OSdSe war
riors who accompanied Custar, have the
scalp of the dead Cheyenne; and it, to-
gether with other similar trophies, ,graced
an Indian scalp dance in Sheridan's
camp, on the Canadian, on the evening
of the Sd of December, after Custar,s
return. In this dance the Usage and
Kaw Indians, in the service of Sheri-
dan, participated. The scene is describ-
ed as one of savage effect. "The dance
lasted until late hour, and Gems. Sher-
idan and Custar and a large number of
officers witnessed the scene" On the
return of Custar after the ''battle, .
and his triumphant entry into
"Camp Supply" on the morning of
December /, 1865, it is narrated that
the Usage Indians were in the ad-
vance, arrayed and decorated in man
ner becoming the Importance of the oc-
casion. "Their faces were painted in
the most fantastic and hideous manner.
About their persons were dangling the
trophies which they had captured in
battle; spears, upon which were fasten-
ed the scalps of their fallen foes, were
swung upon their shoulders; from their
own painted scalp locks were suspended
long trails of silver ornaments and fsath-
ers. Even the animals which the
Osages rode, were decorated with scalps,
&c. At the head of the column rode
Little Beaver ian Usage Chief with a
countenance as fixed as stone, yet in his
bearing showing indications of self glo-
rifcation which was apparently kept STIR
ring and swelling higher and higher by
the gesticulations and wild notes of the
war songs shouted by his warriors, in
termingled with whoops and the dis
charge of rifles" In moment of en-
thusiasm the chief said "They call us
Americans; we are Osages," which SEN
timent met wild response. Following
the Indians were the scouts, led by Cali
fornia Joe, who "was suitable figure
head for the motley band" following him.
"Next came Generel Custar, riding alone,
mounted on magnificent black stallion,
dressed in a short blue sack coat, trim.
med with the color of his arm of the
service, and reinforced with fur collar
and cuffs on his head he wore an otter
cap. Next followed
the living evidences of the victory-over
fifty squaws and their children, surround
ed by a suitable guard" Following these
came the sharpshooters, and then the
different cavalry companies. General
Sheridan took position in the valley, and
this column passed him in review. "Wher
General Custar came within fifty yards
of the commanding General, he left his
position in the column and dashed up to
his chief, when warm and hearty ex.
change of salutations was made between
the commander and his distinguished
and successful Lieutenant"
In his general field order of Novem,
: ber, 80, 1868, announcing to his com
mand the "defeat by the Seventh Regi-
ment of Cavalry of large band Of
Cheyenne Indians, under the celebrated
chief Black Kettle, re enforced by the
Arapahoes, under little Raven, and the
Kiowas, under Satanta." Gen. Sheri.
dan gives all the glory to Brevet Maj
Gen. Geo. A. Custar, ''the distinguished
commander" for "the efficient and gal.
liant services rendered in the opening
campaign against hostile Indians south
of the Arkansas" and wholly ignores
the services of his Indian allies, and con.
ceals the fact that to the Ooages the
"glory and honor" of killing Black Ket-
tie belong-a young Usage chief, Tom
la-man- Che, the Trotter, having, it is
said, taken his scalp, after q most des.
perate conflict.
In his official announcement of the re-
suit of "the Battle of Washita " to the
Lieutenant General, it is stated by Gen
Sheridan that cit was Black Kettles
band who committed the first depreda
tions on the Saline and Solomon rivers in
Kansas" In giving this report to the
country Gen. Sherman indorses it, and
thus adds the weight of his name to the
accusation. To slander the living is &
grave offense; to bear false witness
against the dead, crime. While Black
Kettle was living, neither Sherman mol
Sheridan ever made any such charge
against him or his band. I have, l think
examined all the official papers prepared
and made public by these officers, and
in no single instance, while the chic
was living, did either of them utter &
charge against him.
General Sheridan, on the 26th of Sep
tember, 1868, at the request of General
Sherman, made report in relation tc
the causes, beginning and (then) exist
ing condition of Indian troubles in West
ern Kansas. Attached to this report is
.-oo.Go Gf &c orfroroc - xuifh 1or
and date, up to September II, 1868
From first to last in all this document
not one charge is made or word uttered
against Black Kettle or his band. Had
this chief appeared on the Saline and
Solomon rivers last summer and there
committed the first depredations, the
fact. in view of its Importance by reason
of the position and character of Black
Kettle, could not, and would not, ]
think, have been overlooked by General
Sheridan. 1 regard this story, there
fore, in precisely the same light that
do kindred one Matched up by Chiving-
ton, Gov. Evans, of Colorado, and 9th
ers, against this same chief and his
band, after the Chivington massacre OF
1864. 1t was supposed for some time
that Chivington had killed Black
Kettle. In the official report Of
the "battle" it was so stated, and dill.
gent use of the interval was made to fix
in the public mind the hostile character
of the Chief and his band. Fresh white
scalps were said to have been found in his
village; also books, papers and letters,
together with the wardrobes of white fe-
males said to have been killed on the
plains it was alleged they had muir
dered settlers ON the frontier, surprised
emigrants in their camps, children were
slain, wives were taken prisoners, and
every species of atrocity and barbarity
committed. In the sequel the reader
will observe how these charges were dis