The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1874-08-27


/ any time unless a friendly understand
ing was arrived at, I sent my hea
scout, Bloody knife, and twenty Q
| his braves, to advance few miles an
reconnoiter the valley. The party hat
been gone but few minutes whel
two of Bloody Knife's young me-
came galloping back and informed m
that they had discovered five IndiaI
| lodges few miles down the valley
and that Bloody Knife, as directed
await further orders. Taking K Com
reinforced by the remainder of thu
scouts aud Colonel Harris company,
proceeded to the ravine where Bloody
knife and his party lay concealed, ant
from the crest beyond obtained fnl
view of the five Indian lodges, abou
which a considerable number of po
mics were grazing. | was enabled
to place my command still nearer te
the lodges undiscovered. I then des.
patched Agard, the interpreter, witt
flag of truce, accompanied by two
of our Sionx scouts, TO acquaint thu
occupants of the lodges that We were
friendly disposed aud desired to com.
municate with them. To prevent Ell.
ther treachery or flight on their part.
gslloped the remaining portion OF
my advance and surrounded the
lodges. This was accomplished al
most before they were aware of our
presence. | then entered the little
village and shook hands with the oc-
cupants, assuring them, through the
Interpreter that they had no cause to
fear, as we were not there to modest
them. 1 invited them to visit our
camp, and promised presents of -four
sugar and coffee to all who should &C
cept. The invitation was accepted
At the same time 1 entered into an
agreement with the leading men that
they should encamp with us for few
days and give as such information
concerning the country as we might
desire, in return for which service |
was to reward them with rations.
With this understanding l left them.
The entire party numbered twenty
seven. Later in the afternoon, four
of the men, Including the chief, zone
Stab, visited our camp and desired
the promised rations, saying their en-
tire party would move up and join
US the following morning, as agreed
upon. 1 ordered presents of sugar,
coffee and bacon to be given them !;
and, to relieve their pretended ankle
ty for the safety of their village, dur
ing the night, ordered a party of
fifteen of my command to return with
them and protect them during the
night. But from their great disinclilIa
ton to wait few moments until the
pk Ian
fact that two of the party had already
slipped away, l was of the opinion
that they were not acting in good
faith. In this | was confirmed when
the two remaining ones set off at a
gallOp in the direction of the village.
| sent party of our scouts to over
take them and request their return
not complying with this request sent
a second party, with orders to repeat
the requeet, and if not complied with
to take hold of the brides of their
ponies and lead them back, but to
offer no violence. When oVeFtaken by
our scouts one of the Indians siezed
the musket of one of the scouts and
attempted to wrest it from him. Fail
ing in this he released his hold after
the scout became dismounted in the
struggle, and set of as fast as his pony
could carry him, but not before the
Inusket of the scout had been dis
charged. From blood discovered af-
it was evident that either
The Indian or his pony was wounded.
[ hope that neither was seriously hurt
the Indians have their own
pad faith as the sole ground for the
collision, 'sOne Stab" the chief, was
brought back to camp. The scouts
yalloped down the valley to the site
Of the village, when it was discovered
hat the entire party had packed up
heir lodges and fled, and the visit of
he four Indians to our camp was not
0nly to obtain the rations promised
hem in return for future services but
% cover the flight of their lodges.
nave effected arrangements by which
he chief ssOne Stab" remains with ns
ls guide three days longer, when he
will take his departure and rejoin his
8and. He claims to belong to both
Red Clouds and Spotted Tails agen-
lies, but has been to neither for long
lime. He has recently returned from
he hostile camp ON Powder River and
represents that the Indians lost ten
killed in their fights with the Bozenau
party.
The creek which led Us down into
he Interior of the Black Hills is bor-
Tered by high bluffs, on the orests of
v hich are located prominent walls of
Iolld rock, presenting here and there
he appearance of castles constructed |
IF masonry. From this marked re.
emblance | named this stream Castle |
Creek. The direction of Castle Greek |
laving commenced to lead us more to |
he northeast than we were prepared |
o go, and the valley having become
and broken, left this water
course and ascended the valley of
mall tributary, which again gave us
'ontheasterly course. After q march |
If fourteen miles we camped ON a |
mall creek, furnishing US an abund-
lnce of good water and grass. The |
direction of this creek was nearly |
vest. On the 3Oth we moved in the
OF our previous course,
md through fine open country, COW
sred with excellent grazing. After 5
march of over ten miles we encamped |
Early in the day about five miles from
he western base of Harney's Peak, |
hiding water, grass, and wood abund-
INT, withsspriags OF clear, cool water
through the camp. On the
day the command remained |
n camp, except the exploring parties
Ient out in all directions. With a |
mall party proceeded to Harney's
Peak, and after great difficulty made
he accent to its crest. We found this
% be the highest point in the Black |
Hills. From the highest point we OBJ
aimed q view of Bear Butte in the |
lorth and of the plains to the east, five
miles beyond the Cheyenne River.
Dur party did not reach camp until |
nearly l o'clock that night, but we
we're amply repaid for our labor by |
.he magniRcenoe of the views obtain
I'd. While on the highest point we
frank the health of the veteran out of
to whom the peak was
named. On the 1st of August we
moved camp a few miles simply to OBJ
tain fresh grass, still keeping near the
base of the hills to the east of US. This
despatched two companies,
1nhaNs fN0hnnal Haank fra