Wyoming democrat. [volume] (Tunkhannock, Wyoming Co., Pa.) 1867-1940, 1869-02-03
CUsTER's INDIAN CAPTIvEs.
Conduct of the Squaws--Demeanor of the
Wounded--Passion for Hard Tack.

| (Field Correspondence of New York HerGld)
During the first few days of the captivity
of the squaws of Black Kettles band Of
Cheyennes there was considerable anxiety
felt by them. They all expected they were
| to be killed in retaliation of the atrocities
committed by their band. At first the
wounded ones refused to go to the hospi-
tai, fearing they were the first singled out
for vengeance. The soldiers talking to each
other not i'll tones the most gentle and eu-
phonious, and in q language they did not
understand, they construed it into con-
troversy as to when and how they were to
be disposed. of. In constant dread of what
disposition was to be made of them, sever
al of the squaws visited General Sheridan s
interpreter, Mr. Curtis and asked him
whether they were to be killed When as
sured that the white man did not kill wo-
did, they felt materially relieved Since
then the wounded squaws have appeared
more lively and exhibit an unusual feeling
of gratitude for the kind treatment they
have been receiving. This feeling they
manifest by shaking hands with the sur
geon whenever he visits them. The most
remarkable instances of fortitude are eX-
hibited in the cases of the wounded Indian
children. The desperation of the fighting
at the battle of the Washita on the part Of
the savage may be judged from the fact that
years old, the rest taking up arms and joiu-
ing in the fight. There are now in the hos
aital several very your boys and girls bad
ly wounde4 hut from nc. : single one of
them has come the slightest audible indica-
ton of their suffering yet the expression
of their faces, the wild glance of their eyes,
betray that ,cey do not suffer. During
such painful operations as probing and
cleaning out their wounds, placing the
thumb on one temple and stretching the
hand across the forehead, fixing the second
finger on the temple opposite, they close
their eyes and patiently submit to such
operations as the teaching of surgery re-
quire One, little girl about six years of
age, has bullet hole through her body, on
the left side, and yet she sits up and makes
no complaints. All the wounded squaws
and children rode in on their ponies, re-
fusing to have anything to do with ambu
lances. Another singular feature in the
wounded is the peculiarly offensive odor of.
the sloughing wounds
The well squaws are still emcamped with
the cavalry, and seem to be contented with
their lot. The male children amuse them
selves throwing reeds, as if they We're spears,
at different objects, thus displaying the cul-
tivation Of their expanding merit as future
warriors.
Among the trophies brought in was
handsome lodge, which belongs to General
Custar. To-day this was unloaded from
the wagon, and having sent for several
sauaws, the general had the lodge put up
in true Indian style. This is part of the
duties of the squaws, and in very few
minutes they displayed their proficiency to
an extent which surprised every one. The
lodge is of skins, and perfectly white 1T
is not at all surprising that the loss of their
lodges is looked upon by the savages as so
great calamity. The number of skins,
the proper tanning of them, fitted and
stitching them together, constitute evident
ly labor and expense of considerable mag
nitude In setting up a lodge the squaws
get around the lodge with poles in their
hands these they lock at the upper ex-
trenlities and set them in position forming
the skeleton of the lodge. The lodge skin,
one end attached to a pole, is laid in an up
right position against the poles already up ;
the skin is then unrolled and wrapped
around the outside over the lodge poles.
The ends are then fastened with throngs,
leaving an aperture about three feet high
for an entrance; and at the top for the
egress of smoke.
The captives, sick or well, have not lost
appetite or flesh since in our hands. Their
capacities for slowing away food are truly
amazing. Hard tack to them is great
luxury, and old and young, sick and well,
devour it with all the relish of the choicest
and richest cake.