Knoxville journal. [volume] (Knoxville, Iowa) 1874-1986, 1874-08-27

where they awaited further orders TAX
ing a company with me, which was after
ward reinforced by the remainder OF the
scouts and Col. Harris company, pro-
ceeded to the ravine where Bloody
Knife and his party lay concealed, and
from the crest beyond obtained full
view Of the five Indian lodges, about
which considerable number of ponies
were grazing. was enabled TO place
my command still nearer to the lodges
undiscovered. then dispatched guard,
the interpreter with flag OF truce, ac-
companied by two OF our Sioux scouts,
to acquaint the occupants OF the lodges
that we were friendly disposed AID de-
sired to communicate with them. 10
prevent treachery and flight on their
part i galloped the remaining portion OF
nv advance and surrounded the lodges.
This was accomplished almost before
they were aware of our presence. then
entered the little village and shook lands
with the occupants, assuring them,
through interpreter, that they had no
cause to fear, as we were not there to
modest them. INVITED them to visit our
camp, and promised presents OF Hour,
sugar and coffee to all who would accept.
This invitation was accepted. i entered
l
| ing men that they should encamp
| with us a few days, and give us such in
| formation as we might desire; in return
| for which service / was TO reward them
| with rations With this understanding
left them. The entire party numbered
! twenty-seven Later in the afternoon
| four of the men, including the Chief,
| sOne-Stab,' visited our camp and desired
| the promised rations, saying the entire
| party would move up and join us the FOL
| lowing morning, as agreed upon. or
dered presents of sugar, coffee and bacon
| TO be given them, and, to relieve them
of their pretended anxiety for the safety
Of their village during the night, or
dered party of fifteen of my command
| TO return with them and protect them
] during the night; but, from their great
| disinclnation to wait few minutes TIL
| the party could saddle up, and from the
| fact that two of the four had already
slipped away, ! was Of the opinion that
they were not acting in good faith. In this
| was confirmed when the two remaining
set off at gallop in the direction OF
| their village. / sent party OF our
| scouts to overtake them and request
| them to return. Not complying with
| this request, | sent second party,
with orders TO repeat the request, and, II
not complied with, to take hold OF the
| brides of their ponies and lead them
| back, but to offer no violence. when
| overtaken by our scouts one OF the TWO
| Indians seized the musket of one OF the
scouts and endeavored to wrest II from
! him. Failing in this he released his
| hold, after the scout became dismounted
| in the struggle, and set off as fast as his
pony could carry him, but not before the
musket of the scout was discharged.
| From blood discovered afterward it was
| evident that either the Indian or his pony
was wounded. hope that neither was
| seriously hurt; yet the Indians have
| their own bad faith as the sole ground
| for the collision. One Stab the Chief,
was brought back to camp. The scouts
galloped down to the valley in sight OF the
village when it was discovered that the en-
tire party had packed up their lodges
| and fled, and the visit of the four In
dians to our camp was not only to obtain
their ratons promised them in return for
! future services, but to cover the flight OF
| the lodges. / have perfected arrange
ments by which the Chief, One-Stab, will
be with US as guide three days longer,
when he will take his departure and re-
join his command"
The next few days were devoted to
exploring the Black Hills region, when
many things rare and curious were dis
covered. At the date of the dispatch
Gen. Custer was in camp near Harneys
Peak, but was intending to send force
on the following day to explore the south
fork of the Cheyenne River In regard
to the country he says it is extremely
fertile, well wooded and watered, abound
ing in wild fruits, and giving evidence
of abundant mineral treasures. Veins
of lead, gold bearing quartz and indica
tions of silver abounded on every hand.
The command would begin its north
ward march on the 7th of August and
would reach Fort Lincoln about the 31st.