The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1876-08-09


trail of 1866 Whether we viii come ont at the agencies
or at the Yellowstone is an open question.
INDIANS INVITING BATTLE.
The Sioux have proceeded eastward down the Little
Horn in so leisurcly that they TO invite
battle.
BArrrE OR A RACE.
When you hear from again 1t Will be about great
battle or great race
THE DISPOSAL OF THE CAPTURED INDIAN
PoNIEs-A SUGGESTION FROM GENERAL
sHERIDAN--INDIANs ARRIVING AT THE AGEN-
cIEs WITH ARMS CAPTURED FROM THE
SEVENTH CAVALRY
WASHINGTON, August 8, 1876.
telegram has been received at the War Department
from General Sheridan asking the authority OF the
Secretary OF War to sell Indian ponies captured
rendered at such price he can get for them, tho
funds accumulated to be held for the purchase OF
cattle for tho Indians, to be purchased the proper
time The embarrassment Of taking OF the ponies
makes 1t necessary to dispose of them at once.
General Sheridan says they will not sell for much,
but the main obicc, is to get them away from tho
Indians The request has reached the Commissioner
OF Indian Affairs for report from him, and It is prob
able that tho department will concur in General Shcr.
dams view Of the subject
INDIANS WITH CAPTURED ARMS.
Reports received at the War Department from Gen.
cral Sheridan state that many OF the Indians
ng into the reservations carry captured from the
Seventh cavalry in the late Custer massacre.
INTERESTING SKETCH or THE INDIAN LEAD
ERs-wH- SITTING BULL WAS SELECTED AS
HEAD CHIEF-HIs UNRsLENTING HOSTILITY
TO THE OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES OF HIS
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT HANDLING OF THE
INDIAN roacEs.
From Tue Chicago Tribune. August4l
FoRr BrFoRD. d. T., July 81 1876
propose to give you in this letter Information
with regard the Indian situation gathered per-
sonal observation and from testimony of a credible
character rcceEed from others. 1t may in some
degree ghten your readers the personnel of
leaders OF the Sioux, and give them idea Of
the thoughts objects which animate the redskins
in their fight
1t is noticeable fact that far in the Indian
mens, the recognized chiefs OF the Sioux nation-Red
Cloud, Spotted Tail and Young Man of HIS
Horses-have not been mentioned, nor, SO far as is
known, have they had any hand In it, These men
were, in fact. misunderstood by the young braves
They had too many talks with the whites and wero
supposed to be too much under tho influence Of tho
palefaces; and, war having been determined upon,
chief sought under whom they could Tight who had
never yielded the influence of the white man. Such
a one they found in
SITTING BULL,
who is OF medium stature, about forty years of
age powerfully butt and OF much dignity OF manner
His distinguishing characteristic has been unreenting
hostility the white To such has he
carried this that the higher chiefs OF tho Sioux have
looked upon him sort of brgand; and from these
two causes he has never figured in tho councils
have ham halt haera
the authorities OF the War and Indian
departments and tho Indians. Occasionally he
has Wis ted Fort Peck, but only as visitor; he has
never drawn raons or annuities His followers were
nj one time but few--probably not forty nity
lodg-sbnt among them. naturally he gathered kindred
spirits, q band Of desperadocs, in TACT, who knew
nothing but hostility 10 tho whites and in numerous
skirmishes which this band have lad with both red
aud white men. they have never been beaten. Now
there two things among the Indians, as with us,
that 20 far create power-weath and success Sit
ting hull through tho latter acquired the former; con-
scqucntiy his standard did not lack for recruits.
Among the
MORE PROMINENT OF HIS rLEUrESAxTs
for that dignity. suppose they aspire, may
be said have raised themselves, the tollowing-
The Little Agsiniboine is young scarcely out Of
bis teens, small IN stature but 1.-the and active az a
tiger. He captured by Sitting Bull, a rad made
on the Assiniboines when u child was raised by his
captor and Is now sort OF adjutant general Cruel,
crafty and uuscrupulous well educated Tor Indian,
full OF fight, he is very efficient aid in carrying out the
plans OF his chief
Another prom nent man Is tho Kanacka-a dangerous
customer He speaks English well, aud former ly
employed mail carrier on the Missouri River
routes. This man Is excellent scout, and IRON his
acquaintance with English can prove, and doubt has
proved, himself very efficient In learning the inten
ions OF the white men and aided in frustrating their
designs
Another deserving of special mention il Long Dog
Tall powerful, standing feet inches IN tho
prime OF lie, this man IS the perfection OF Indian
beauty and manlInees. His head Is long his body
he teing able thinker dangerous in council as Ia
battle He has loafcd around the agencies consdera-
bly, but always as an enemy saying that we're he TO
~ p a
Then there are The Gall, The Drag, Iron Dog and
others less prominent. The rst chose his TO
press his bitterness TO the whites He brave: has
withstood bayonct charge-in fact lad bayonet
thrust through hise body-yet lives Tho Drag
brave OF six feet six inches.
The whole OF these known ''bad' In
dams sitting Bull himself Is not cruel, unless his
heart very bad He mas been known 10 let whites go
after being captured. And Just here may relate
to show how Sitting Bull is feared.
In January last. while Major Anderson was Indian
agent Fort Peek, he received from the
letter, which he was ordered to convey to sitting Bull
commanding that worthy TO come ntothe reservation
consider himself outlaw. Anderson was in
quandlry His Instructions we're clear and pcrcmp-
tory. lie sent Tor Mr. 5. Bull, but Mr.. $. Bull
just then too busy 20 visit Peck the letter had,
possible, TO be sent to him. gentleman OF
questioned bravery, who could speak the Indian
language huehiiy was sent for, and offered $500 and
escort he would take the letter TO the Indian camp
Alter consideration, however tho offer was declined
SAID he, III | could Sitting Bull myself believe
my life would be SAFE but he would cut my ears or
sure Finally a party OF Indians were despatched
with the missve alter had been very carefully
planned and interpreted. Alter an. absence of two
days they returned and confessed that their 'hcarts
were big enough" TO carry such a message TO SIT
ting Bull Consequently the benevolent intentions of
the government were never conveyed to the cotuma.
chicf.
HERE ~ ANOTHER ANEcDoTr,
to show that, IRON an Indian standpoint Sitting Bull
can be magnan imous:--lD 1878 he coming with
small band TO Peck, and he found, short distance
from the fort, three white men lying asleep under
tree. His followers wanted 10 MI and scalp them the
spot and their and horses This the chief
would not allow and stood over them Til 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. ~ SITTING
Bull, the reply, 'and gave you your life ycster.
day." GLOW thaty" said Campbell. The chief
proceeded TO explain IN manner that satisfied Camp
bell that what he said true, and Ia gratitude Of
tered rewards; but Sitting Bull declined all prot
iors, aud, after another handshaking, strobe away.
PREPARING FOR THE Ficur.
IL was, then, 20 Sitting Bull the young looked