New-York tribune., 1874-08-18
PRICE FOUR CENTS.
BLACK HILLS EXPEDITION.
SURPRISING AN INDIAN VILLAGE.

SIOUX BLOOD-THEIR MURDEROUS INTENTIONS
EFFECTUALLY RESTRAINED BY GEN. CUSTER
MRS. SLOW BULBS HOsPITAIIrY-FEARs OF THE
SIOUX, AND THEIR FLIGHT.
IRON SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT oP THE TRIncNEI
CAMP. No. "a, July 2S-Our march up Floral VAL
ley was marked on the third day by an episode
which produced at first little excitement, then still
more satisfaction. and concluded with a good deal
of disappointment For week ten days We
have crossed frequent Indian trails-mOst OF them
Old but some OF them fresh. They were especially
noticeable when we reached the Heeng-ya-kara.
Had our object been an Indian hunt. we should not
have lacked evidence Of plenty of game, and instead
of turning to the east from the Heeng-ya-Kara, wo
should have followed these trails TO &C.
cure it. But such was not our object,
and we turned away from these trails
to find and follow this beautiful valley Indian signs
are not wanting here There was an old and WELL
marked trail up aud down the valley, and here and
there the sign Of an old camp. On the second day
of our entrance Gen. Forsyth and Col. Ludlow,
after a camp site chosen, went on ahead for
seven eight miles to learn the prospects for tho
next days road. Following the valley mp which We
had been travelling. they reached the top Of ridge
or divide, which separated it from the other
| side, also we'll watered, but the water running in
/ the opposite direction. Here they noticed a fresh
/ Indian trail and discovered a place the bank "a
! Jic Itlic t4tth NAtlc Ten VI u toLtu pOlltc Adh
| drunk the day before.
The next day, sunday, the 95th Of July, one Of tho
most lovely days in the calendar of the trip, va
continued our march according to the programme
adopted on the previous day. In the twin valley
the other side OF the ridge, found repetition Of
| the floral wealth which had greeted MS the two pre-
yious days The enthusiasm for botany did not
decrease but rather seemed to grow with tha
opportunity spread out 50 layishly before us. L
think if anywhere the lilies predominated on this
side of the valley; but the geraniums and compos-
ite disputed the claim, and should be at loss 10
decide which deserved it. Following the valley Is
the southeast for several miles, came to a point
where it seemed to branch TO the south and east.
There guide posts in this country. We trusted
to fortune The road TO the east after pursuit Of
two miles, suddenly became impossible, and we had
to right about aud 60 back and take the other
branch. The Indian trail discovered here showed
that we were on the right track. An abundance of
lodge poles constituted the relics of old hunting
camp. Fresh pony tracks excited a still greater IN
terest. After march of fourteen miles we halted
at another Indian camping grOund-no doubt IA
yorite one from the lodge poles and pony tracks Of
different ages which marked it. This trail through
the valley seemed to be an Indian highway, proba-
bly, from the Red Cloud Agency to their hunting
grounds and this spot was probably frequent halt
| ing place.
TIE REF GUIDES EAGER FOR A FIGHT
But what excited most interest among the evi-
dences of the old camp was the presence of small
fire, still burning brightly, which had been aban-
doned but a few hours before. Indians, probably a
small party had plainly left that camp the morn
ing and moved further down the valley. Possibly
our presence had been discovered and caused an
alarm; possibly it was element in Indian de-
coy. As the site an excellent one for camp
Gen. Custer concluded to halt here. Shortly after
our advance scouts returned with the report that
five Indian lodges visible in the valley about
three miles further up. Anxious, if possible to give
the Indians proof of his peaceful intent and 10
secure their friendship, which might be useful in
conducting his explorations, Gen. Custer sent for
ward Louis Egard, one of our halt-boeel guides,
with white flag instructing him ID 90 directly I'D
the village and inform the Indians OF our presence .
and object. TO support him in the event OF n
repuse, detachment of Indian scouts
was ordered to follow at proper
distance behind him. Then mounting his horse,
accompanied By Gen. Forsyth, Lieut.. Calhoun, ani
myself and escorted By detachment OF Co. l., 7th
Cavalry under command OF Sergeant HJhmeyer,
Cen Custer followed the advance parties AZ a bri-S
galop After run of about two miles along tho
valley we halted just under the crest OF a diil which
rose between rs and the Indian village ab0ut three
quarters of a mile further on. Here. previously
directed, the advance detachment OF scouts bad
halted to give Egard time 10 reach the village. Oar
scouts are made up principally Of Rec Indians, who
have many reasons % remember the venctiu! and
merciless crueltes of the Sioux and who themselves
are not distinguished, any more than white people,
by practical love for the Christian law OF forgive
ness As soon as the Rees had heard of the pr)x-
unity of this Sioux camp they were wild with de-
light. They covered their faces with war paint.
stuck eagle feathers in their heads. stripped their
saddles If all unnecessary weight, and loaded their
guns for the fray. They only restrained from
an immediate onslaught on the village with tho
greatest difficulty. They murmurCd not a little at
the Generals stern prohibitiye Had nos the Sioux
often attacked them and cruelly killed many Of
their knsmen had they not, just before the Expe-
dtion Left Fort Lincoln. made descent or the Rec
village at Berthod and slain several of their breth-
rem and made their hearts heavy Here was good
opportunity to take revenge and make their hearts
light What a glorious scalp dance they c1dld have
after they had putchered this htrie village.
THE PEACE 70 BE KEPr
ID, not dare 10 ire a shot unless tae S.oax attack
von" was the Generals only reply to ,b., murder
on, breathing said. however. in "A toae winch I'M
pged = peualuy not expressed and wlcA the Rees
did not dare . incur.
The Santae Sioux, mostly young, of whom We have
about % have been long diyor ed f.Jm saFaAe hfe,
and thoagh their laaguag Is nearly Ike ;hat OF tho
other tribes they have little IN common With them.
They are the friends of the white man. They per-
haps liked the excitement OF a little skirnish, but
were not difficult of coatrol Coos, C9lj land, and
two or three other Sioux obtained by Gen. Gustav
from Grand River Agency, are, believe. of tne
Unkpapa tribe. they have free passport among
the hostile indians, and their own tribes are friendly