The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1869-04-05
THE INDIAN wAR,
Report Received from Gen. Gustav
Two Captive Women Recovered

ST, LOUIS, April 2.
a long report was received at mill
tary headquarters this morning from
General Gustav, detailing his operations
in the field. After breaking camp at
Medicine Bluff creek, fresh signs of In
dams were discovered on the 18th of
March, and the whole command, num-
bering fifteen hundred men, moved
forward rapidly, making daily marches
two or three times as long as those of
the Indians: The tents were burned,
and all blankets, except one per man,
and all surplus clothing shared the
same fate. On the 18th they reached a
camp ground which had been aban-
doned only two days before. About the
same time herd of ponies in charge OF
two Indians was discovered. Gen.
Gustav determined to capture the herd,
and after proceeding some two miles
saw Indians partially concealed behind
the sand hills. After a good deal OF
signaling, eight of them came out, from
whom Gustav learned that two hundred
and sixty Cheyenne lodges were en-
camped within ten or twelve miles, two
hundred of which were directly in front,
on small stream.
Medicine Arrow, the chief of the
Cheyennes, and several other noted
chiefs then rode up. Among the two
hundred lodges were those of the Dog
Soldier, the most mischievous, blood
thirsty and barbarous band of Indians
that infest the plains. Gustav first in
tended to attack this village, but when
he learned that the Cheyennes held two
white female captives, Mrs. Morgan
and Miss White, he concluded not to do
so, at least until he had those women
out of the hands of the savages. He
| therefore went with Medicine Arrow to
his lodge in the center of tho village,
where the principal chiefs assembled.
vii hn
ceived the greatest excitement and no.
ticed that everything was prepared for
flight, and Gustav thinks that If he had
then attacked them with his fatigued
troops, lie could not have effected more
than capture of their lodges. Gustav
ordered the arrest of two chiefs, Big
Head and Dull Knife, intending to hold
them under guard as hostages for the
white women captives. After consid-
cradle parleylng, and only when the
rope and tree were chosen, did the In
dams deliver up their captives.
The story of their treatment told by
these captives is a recital OF such bar
barous cruelties and enormous indigni-
ties that It is surprising that civilized
beings could have endured 1t and sur
viveu. The Indians would have killed
them had the village been attacked.
the Indians express themselves hearth
" sick of the war, and are willing go
10 LnlE DC4II VI IQo COuhIIS "AASh Aho
been designated for them, and are ready
to submit to the decision of the Govern
ment authority.
Gustav saws we have taught the In
dams that they are safe from us in no
place, and at no season, and also, what
some of our own people may doubt,
that the white man can endure the in
clemencies of winter better than In.
dams. He says that the country and
the hiding places OF the Indians are
now better known, and that he has
many officers in his command who
could conduct an expedition there with
out guides. The G:neral speaks highly
of his officers and men, and he especial
ly compliments the !Ith Kansas Caval-
nv, The General did not lose single
man OF his command. He concludes
his report with The following words:
81 now hold the captive Cheyenne
chiefs as hostages for the good behavior
OF their tribe, and for the fulhllment o.
the promise ofthe latter TO come i'll and
conform to the demands of the Govern
ment. This, 1 consider. is the end ofthe
Indian war"