The Republican journal., 1876-08-24
The Indian Chiefs,

Sitting Bull is 4 man Of medium stature,
about i0rty-ilye years OF age, powerfully
built and OF much dignity OF manner. His
distinguishing characteristic has been I'M
relentnG hostility TO the white race 10
such an extent has he carried this that the
higher chiefs OF the Sioux have looked up
on him as Il sort Of brigand; and from
these two causes he has never figured in
the councils that have been so frequently
held between the authorities Of the War
and Indian departments and Indians De-
casionally he has visited Fort Peck, but
only as visitor; he has never drawn
rations or annuities, His followers were
al one time but tew-probaby not over
forty or fifty lodges-but among them,
naturally, he gathered kindred spirits. a
band of desperadoes in fact, who knew
nothing but hostility to the whites; and,
in numerous skirmishes which this band
have had with both red and white men.
they have never been beaten Now, there
are two things among the Indians. as with
us, that 90 tar to create power-wealth
and success. Sitting Bull, through the
latter, acquired the former; consequently
his standard did not lack for recruits
Among the more prominent of his lieu
tenants, for to that dignity, l suppose they
aspire. or may be said to have raised
themselves, are the following:
The Little Assiniboine is Il young man
scarcely out Of his teens, small in stature
but 1.-the and active as q tiger He was
captured by Sitting Bull. in raid made
on the Assiniboines, when u child; was
raised by his captor. and is now sort CT
adjutant general Cruel. crafty and I'M
scrupulous. we'll educated for an Indian,
tull OF fight, he is !. very efficient aid in
carrying out the plans OF his chiefs.
Another prominent man is the kanacha
ii dangerous customer He speaks Eng
lish well, and was formerly employed as
a mail carrier on the Missouri river This
man is an excellent scout, and from his
acquaintance with English can prove, and
no doubt has proved himself very efficient
in learning the intentions of the white
men and aided in frustrating their designs.
Another deserving of special mention is
Long Dog Tall and powerful. standing
six feet three inches. i'll the prime Of life,
this man is the perfection Of indian beauty
and manliness. His head is as long as his
body, he being an able thinker, dangerous
i'll council rs in battle He has loated
around the agencies considerably but al
ways AS an enemy. saying that We're he to
catch white men in Ibis country" be
would Kill them
Then there are the The Gall, The Drag,
Iron Dog, and others less prominent The
first chose his name to express his bitter
ness to the whites. lie is brave has with
stood bayonet charge-ln fact. had a
bayonet thrust through his body-yet
lives The Drag is a brave six leet six
inches in height.
The whole of these men are known as
bad" Indians Sitting Bull himself is not
cruel, unless his heart is very bad lie
has been known to let whites 90 after be
ing captured.
In January last, while Major Anderson
was Indian agent at Fort Peck, he receiv-
ed from the government q letter, which
he was ordered to convey to Sitting Bull,
commanding that worthy to come into the
reservation or consider himself an outlaw
Anderson was in a quandarY. His instruc-
tons We're clear and peremptory lie sent
tor Mr. 5. Bull, but MIR. s. Bull was Just
then too busy to visit Peck so the letter
had, ii possible. to be sent to him. \
gentleman Of unquestioued bravery, who
could speak the Indian language tuently,
was sent for, and offered 5000 and an es-
cort if he would take the letter to the In
dian camp. After consideration, however,
the offer was declined. Said he, at |
could see Sitting Bull myself | believe
my life would be safe; but he would cut
my ears off, sure" Finally a party Of In
dams were despatched with the uissiye,
after it had been very carefully explained
and Interpreted After an absence of five
days they returned and confessed that
their hearts were not big enough to
carry such a message to Sitting Bull. Con-
sequently the benevolent intentions of the
government were never conveyed to the
contumacious chief Here is another anec-
dote, to show that, from an Indian stand
point. Sitting Bull can be magnanlmols:
In 1873 he was coming with Il small
band to Peck and he found, a short dis
tince from the fort, three white men living
asleep under tree His followers wanted
to Kill and scalp them OF the spot and Sc
cure their arms and horses This the
chief would not allow, and stood over
them till All his band had passed Next
day, in the fort, Sitting Bull walked up 10
the leader, Mr.. Campbell. and shook
hands. Campbell said he did not know
him Il am Sitting Bull. was the reply.
land | gave You your lie, yestelday.r
How was this?1 said Campbell. The
chief proceeded to explain in u manner that
satisfied Campbell that what he sai,; was
true. and III gratitude offered rewards
but Sitting Bull declined all such proilers.
and, after another handshaiing. strobe
away.