Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1869-04-08
The Indian war--General Clusters Re-
port Of Expedition ---He Considers the
War At End.

The Indian war--Gener.I Cusier's Re-
War At an End.
ST. LOUIS, April "A long report
was received at military headquarters
this morning from General Custer, de-
failing his operations in the field.
After breaking camp at Medicine
Bluff Greek, fresh signs of Indians were
discovered on the 18th of March, and the
whole command, numbering fifteen
hundred men, moved forward rapidly,
making daily marches two or three
times AS long as those OF the Indians.
Tents were burned and all blankets, ex
cept one per man, and all surplus cloth
ing, shared the same fate. On the 18th
they reached a camp-ground which had
been abandoned only few days before.
About the same time herd of ponies in
charge of two Indians was discovered.
Custer 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 Custer learned that 260 Cheyenne
lodges were encamped within ten or
in front, OH 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, blood
thirsty and barbarous band of Indians
that infest the Plains. General Custer
first intended to attack this village, but
when he discovered that the Cheyennes
had two white female captives-Mrs
Morgan and Miss White-he concluded
not to do so, at least until he had these
women out of the hands of the savages
He, therefore. went with Medicine Ar
row to his lodge in the centre of the vii
lage, where the principal chiefs assem-
bled. Before entering the village he
perceived the greatest excitement, and
noticed that every thing was prepared
for flight. Custer thinks that had he
then attacked them with his fatigued
troops, he could not have effected more
than capture of their lodges. Custer
ordered the arrest OF two chiefs Big
Head and Dull Knife-intending to
hold them under guard as hostages for
the white women cap:ives. After con-
siderable parleying, and only when the
rope and tree were chosen. did the IN
dians deliver up the captives. The story
of tn cir treatment told by the captives
and enormous indignities, that it is sur
pr;sing that civilized beings could have
endured it, and survived. The Indians
would have killed them had the village
been attacked. The Indians express
themselves heartily sick of the war, and
are willing to go to that part OF the
country which has been designated for
them, and are ready to submit to the
decision of the Government authority.
Custer says: 1--WE have taught the
Indians that they are safe from us in no
place and at no season; and also, what
some of our own n people may doubt, that
the white man can endure the inclem-
encies of winter better than Indians u
He says that the country md the hiding
places of the Indians are now better
known, and that he has many officers in
his command who could conduct an ex-
pedition there without guides. The
General speaks highly of his officers and
men, and he especially compliments the
Nineteenth Kansas Cavalry. The Gen
eral 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 fulfillment of the promise of the
latter o come in and conform TO the de-
mands of the Government. This, con-
sider is the end of the Indian war;