Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1869-04-13
General Custar's Campaign Against the In.
diaus

A long report was received at military
headquarters, St. Louis, April 2, from
General Custar, detailing his operations
in the field. After breaking camp at
Medicine Bluff creek the first signs OF
Indians were discovered on the 18th OF
March, and the whole command, num-
bering fifteen hundred men, moved for
ward rapidly, making daily marches two
or three times as long as those of the In
dians. Tents were burned, and all blan.
kets except one per man and all surplus
clothing shared the same fate.
On the 18th they reached a camp
ground which had been abandoned only
two days before. About the same time o
herd of ponies, in charge of two Indians,
was discovered. Custar determined to
capture the herd, and, after proceeding
two miles, saw some Indians partially
concealed behind the sand hills. After a
good deal Of signaling eight of them came
out, from whom Custar learned that two
hundred and sixty Cheyenne lodges were
encamped 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 soldiers, the most mischievous,
blcod-thirsty and barbarous band of In
dians on the plains.
General Custar first intended to attack
this village; but, when he learned that
the Cheyennes held two white female
citizens, Mrs. Morgan and Miss White,
he concluded not to do scat least until
he had these women out Of the hands Of
the savages. He therefore went with
Medicine Arrow to his lodge, in the cen.
ter of the village, where the principal
chiefs assembled. Before entering the
village he perceived the greatest excite
ment, and noticed that everything was
prepared for a fight; and Custsr thinks
that had be then attacked them with his
fatigued troops, he could not have
effected more than a capture of their
lodges. Cusiar ordered the arrest Of two
chiefs, Big Head and Dull Knife, intend.
ing to hold them under guard as hostages
for the white women. After considers-
BILE parley, and only when the rope and
tree were chosen, did the Indians deliver
up their csptives.
The story of their treatment as told by
these captives is recital Of such bar
barous cruelties and enormous indigni-
ties that it is surprising that civilized
beings could have endured aud survived.
The Indians would have killed them had
he village been attacked. The Indians
expressed themselves heartily sick of the
war. and are willing to 90 to that part of
the country which has been designated
for them, aud are ready to submit to the
decision of tie Government authority.
General Custar says We hsye taught the
Indians that they are safe from Us in no
plaes snd at no season, and also, what
some Of our psople may doubt, that the
white man eudures tia inclemencies Of
wintsr better than can the Indian.
The General did not lose single man
of bis command. be concludes his re-
BORT uilk the following Words
II nov hold the captive Cheyenne
chiefs as hostages foF tbs good behavior
of their tribe and for the fBlhllment OF
the promise Of the latter 10 come 10 and
eooforu TO the demands Of the Govern
mep,. This. consider is the end oil
the Indian war"