Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1875-09-28

long lines of horsemen, rising one after another
over the brow of the western hill, presenting an
imposing array, and seemed Vulnerable. Red
Cloud was among them. They joined the circle
a majority sitting on their horses.
The Cheyennes and Araphoes arrived last.
The scene was impressive The Indi9hs formed
dense mass, every one except q few Yanktons
being armed. White Robe and Little Eagle were
entirely naked. The two companies of cavalry
were formed in the rear of the tent both facing
and thanking the Indians. The commissioners sal
| under shelter tent too small to hide them. Not
less than two thousand Indians were in the circle
The Cheyennes and some other young men had
formed scheme for breaking up the council and
making trouble. Two hundred of these conspira-
! tors had massed outside of the circle.
| The gathering of the bands consumed an hour.
| When all were assembled, Spotted Tail advanced
and shook hands with one Of the commissioners.
green blankets, richly colored jacket with red
embroidery, and eggings stripped with red and
| gold. A clier loudly announced the opening of
council.
After about hundred chiefs had shaken hanis
with the commissioners, Red Cloud aud spotted
| Tail advanced from the two sides of the circle,
| meeting and shaking hands. Then they sat down
| to council. Two Strike, Little Wound, Sword,
Old Man Afraid Of his Horses, and majority of
the principal chiefs soon Joined them, and priv
| ate powwow followed lasting about half an hour.
Meanwhile some young men of the Cheyenne
| and Ogallalas had crossed the river and silently
slipped into the bushes in the rear of the council.
Some remained mounted and others lay on the
ground. Young Man Afraid of his Horses,
watched tbs movement and saw the trap. All the
white men completely surrounded. The
troops were ordered to stand to horse. Little Big
Man with about fifty warriors all the time Cir
ling around the crowd, their guns in their right
hands. The officers consulted with the commits
sioners, and Young Man Afraid of his Horses
gave orders to the head warriors, who quietly
took hundred 0gallalas and marshaled them in
the rear of the troops driving Oft the young bucks
who were hidden there. The Indian soldiers then
formed in line and stood on guard, until the dis
persion was accomplished, the cavalry within the
lines moving back to gain room for manoeuvre-
ing. An outbreak was momentarily expected.
Red Dog harangued the assembly, saying the
commissioners a hurry TO make the treaty
and asked for more time. lie said it did not look
good for both whites and Indians 10 come into the
council armed.
White Bull made long and pointed speech in
favor of completing the Treaty Immediately. lie
said his people would start Tor home after two
suns.
The council dispersed for the day, with the I'M
derstanding that it should meet again Saturday.
As an evidence of the danger of an outbreak,
it is mentioned that the Indians warned the half
breeds to look out for their safety, and they all
left the council. The feeling however is not SO
much against the whites as between the bands, on
account of mutual jealousies.
The commissioners are somewhat apprehensivc.
Senator Allison says there will probably be no
treaty.
The Missouri river Indians favor leasing the
Black Hills, but they will soon start Tor home.
They viii move their camp tomorrow for fear of
being detained by the other Indians.
Three runners from Indian camps have come
in tonight and bring news that the hearts of the
Indians very bad
At an interview with Young Maa Afraid Of his
Horses, he said the Indians who are bent on mis-
chief are mostly young men from the Cheyenne,
Arapahoe and Ogallala nations. They did not
want the chiefs to consider any plan for dsposing
of the hills, and had said in council that they
would do something to make them desist. Young
Man Afraid of his Horses told them he would
kill every man who dared to fire at white man,
come to the ground again. This chief now guar
antees perfect safety to all. Every one of his
soldiers has been put in lighting trim, and Sitting
Bnll, one of his head men, is in charge Of the
council camp. No further danger is apprehended.