The New York herald., 1869-01-05

Minds.
HEADQUARTERS DsPARrMsNr OF THE MIssoURI)
In TIE FIELD.
FORT COBB, l. T., Dec. 10, 1888.
The operating column commanded by Brevet Major
General George A. Custer. and accompanying Gen.
eral Sheridan In the heid, arrived at this point yes
terday afternoon. As the advance OF the column
appeared in sight Brevet Major General william B.
Hazen colonel Thrty-eighth United States infantry,
accompanied by Captain Rein, Sixth United States
infantry rode out and met General Sheridan about
mile distant from the post. The command is now in
camp on the vest bank Of Pond creek about half
mile from the small plot OF ground called Fort Cobb.
The country here affords an abundance OF win
ter pasturage for the animals, which are
now expected to recuperate very rapidly
after their trying march, There are located In this
vicinity about 800 lodges Of Indians, principally
Comanches and Apaches. The Cheyennes and Ara
pahoes have taken to the Washita Mountains, about
forty miles distant. The Kiowas have promised to
come in, but appear to be very slow about comply
ing. Satanta and Lone Wolf. their head chiefs and
two men Of great influence, are now IN our posses
sion ana under guard. Satanta is Q n0toriously
treacherous Indian, and Lone Wolf has been imph-
Gated In number Of depredations against the
whites. They have several times shut up the eyes
OF the representatives OF the government. They
were oacially dispossessed Of their arms, and In
promised they would co yesterday, they would be
hung at daylight tomorrow morning. Az soon as
. so informed their manner became quite changed
and they Immediately hastened or two messengers
to urge their tribe to come In.
Up to the arrival Of the troops General Hazen and
his officers were In constant anticipation Of an
attack. Satanta and Lone wolf, backed by their
wariors insulting in the highest degree. This
conduct LED to an order for endorsements from
Fort ArbucKle, making the garrison to consist Of
one company Of the Sixth infantry and two 'compa-
nies Of the Tenth cavalry. When the additional
company was on the way here band Of warriors.
with satanta at their head, told them they should
not come any further. Tho oficer commanding in
formed his savage majesty that he had been ordered
to 60 to Fort Cobb and there he would 60. The
savages threatened and their courers reporting the
approach OF troops from the north probably had
the inn uence Of suppressing any infamous
ofIcers stationed here give their experience with
these vagaD0nd savages as the most humiliaung OF
occurrence, and General Hazen was compelled to ac-
cede to the most arrogant demands for the sole mo-
tive of preventing an immediate massacre Of the
garrison. The arrival OF our column consequently
was welcome thing to the small garrison here.
Several days win PROBABLY elapse before any def
have been foremost in dyeing their hands in the
blood Of white men. Late this afternoon one OF the
ridden down tnree ponies, to announce that the
nation would be in. Already about 100 warriors
have arrived but it IS not likely that the rest win be
in until very late. Yesterday Satanta said his
whole people would be in last night. IL appears
that his statement was entirely false and instead Of
coming towards Cobb they were nastening towards
! the mountains.
AS winter campaign on these boundless plains is
| thing hitherto untrled, and consequently an ex-
pertinent, few notes viii not be without interest.
Tne old fogies Of the army and the government have
move troops in this section in winter The Indians,
uEprepared for the prosecution OF hostihtes during
the winter months took advantage Of this fact and
by retiring to distance from the posts were conf
paratively safe from disturbance and resumed their
depredatlons when warm weather began in the fol-
| lowing year. 1t required but bold energetic.
dashing soldier like Sheridan to inaugurate new
era in the history OF Indian war, and the success
already accomplished promises lasting control
| NJ despatch OF December announced the depar-
| ture OF General Sheridan with an expedition COM
manded by Brevet Major General Custer consisting
OF eleven companies of the Seventh United States
cavalry and ten companies OF the Nineteenth Kansas
Volunteer cavalry, Colonel s. j. Crawford COM
manding, together with supplies or forage aud
rations for thirty days. Leaving Camp Supply, ut
the forks Of the Wolf and Beaver rivers the column
Washita river eight miles from the scene Of Cusers
| fgnt. The country along the route was one mono
tonous sweep OF high rolling, treeess ridges and ex
pansve valleys In the vicinity OF the Canadian 1t
was rOugher than was experienced on the entire
route. Lofty hummocks Of red clay and stone shot
bic gucnes cut mp the valleys. Marching In this
tion was very heavy and tedious.
The pioneer corps was kept constantly employed in
advance, opening way for the trains. The weather
during this portion OF the march was excessively
cold, the thermometer ranging from zero TO fifteen
and twenty degrees Fahrenheit The ice on the Cana
dian several inches in thickness and the weather
riously retarded passage was broken through the
ice and kept open by crossing detachments Of
airy at Intervals between the wagons. The stream
about one-fourth OF mile IN width and two feet
in depth In places. Several wagons which the teams
were unable to drag across, being delayed In the
stream, were almost instantly blocked by ice
forming about the wheels. and required twelve or
sixteen mules to extricate them. Half day was
consumed n in thus fearful crossing The remainder
fected without extraordinary delays, though the
weather maintained an unusual severity and high
winds were encountered almost necessarily.
Leaving camp on the Washa after days rest,
the column moved down the south bank. The sec
blowing perfect hurricane The storm increased
TO such pitch that the column went into camp and
passed q cold wet and cheerless night The follow
ing day dawned clear and cold. The next day we
experienced material change In the temperature
Al noon 1t seemed like passing from winter sud-
denly into summer. Tho remainder or the march
was attended with favorable weather. At night the
thermometer descended below the freezing point
me p y. 70
the Wasa constant signs Of the recent presence OF
large bodies OF Indians were seen. Evidences Of
point on the stream lodge pole trail half mile
In width was crossed also the tracks OF thousands
numbered several thousand. Day before yesterday
the first signs OF Indians were seen. While the
column was halted to await the crossing OF the
trains over one OF the numerous branches OF
the Washita q courier came I'm from Fort Webb
bearing q despatch from General Hazen. He re-
ported that he started with companion,
but that both were captured by some Ki0Wa war
riors and were threatened with death. bur subse-
quently ne was released and his companion was re-
taned hostage. At the time Of the arrival OF the
eourter . large body OF Indians were seen several
fniles OF. General Custer, accompanied BY freyet
Lieutenant Colonies J. Schuyler Crosby and NJ. w.
Cook, your correspondent and the scouts COM
manded by Lieutenant Silas Pepoon, in all about
eighty men, leaving the train, rode out to meet the
party. The Indians retired near the bank of the
river and sent out two Of their number TO negotiate.
Mr. Curtis the interpreter and Mr.. Brafney, guide,
rode 20 the front to meet she two savaQes who adj
vanced TO meet party. sign given,
when General Custer and Colonel Crosby joined
the interpreter. II not certain whether the In
dians meant war peace, and every man OF our
party examined his pistol and rife held both ready
and kept mounted, prepared 10 charge should any
hostile demonstrations be made. The hills across