Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1876-07-31
The Indian
War.
Gen. Crooks Command
Reported Defeated.
Sheridan Denies the
Report.
CRAZY EOR.L" WISHES
TO FORM A TREATY.
RumOrs from Various Sourccs...rhe In.
dian Bureau Rises to Explain..-The
Indians Ordered to be Di.armed.

New York, July 90 A special from Leaven-
worth, says the terrible story comes from Sidney,
Nebraska, recruiting station on the Union Pa
cifc Railroad, not far from Cheyenne, to the eff
feet that an attack by the Sioux upon Crooks
camp on Goose Creek, proved to be more of a
slaughter than fight nearly 300 soldiers being
killed and the entire command driven across the
creek, mark for the unerring bullets of their
savage enemies Advices state that last Wednes-
day evening, A. T. Fray, post sutler at Camp
Sheridan. arrived at Sidney, with information that
Lame Deer friendly chief, mad come into Camp
sheridan, thirty-si hours from battlefield, as
courier; that Crook had more men killed than
Custer had with him in the fatal fight upon Little
Big Horn. Loss of Indians not settled. Lame
Deer also says that the Indians now have full
sweep in the northern country, aud propose, after
driving the miners from the Black Hills, to make
clean sweep of the agencies following which
they will devote attention to the different stations
on the line of the Union Pacific railroad. The
Sioux feel greatly elaed over this their greatest
victory. A large number of braves who had de-
serted Sitting Bull have now rejoined his forces.
A feeling of depression and gloom seems to have
taken possession Of the soldiers in Crooks com
mand, who regard their fate as certain and who
do not expect to see friends in the States again.
The substance of the story as told by Fray at Sid
ney, was what he heard from Lame Deer himself,
but nothing definite has yet been received at Fort
Leavenworth relative to it. In regard to the
above, Chicago special despatch brings intelli-
gence from Fort Leavenworh, that the Indian
ported arrived at Sidney Barracks says he is di-
rect from Crooks command nd also states that
last Monday the Sioux attacked Crook, killed
nearly 300 and routed him completely.
Diligent enquiries have been made at Sheridan
headquarters, and Gen. Drum, assistant adjutant
general, says the report is preposterous. Had
the Indian come out from Crooks vicinity and
struck for Sidney barracks, he would have been
obliged to pass Red Cloud or Spotted Tail agency
and there is direct Geographic communication with
those points. Had there been any truth in the
wild rumor, it would have been received at head.
quarters and not leaked out in the roundabout by
way OF Fort Leavenworth.
The dispatches that Crook is overmatched by
Indians in front of him, are not confirmed by Of
fetal intelligence. Tue statement that the Sioux
are moving north, so that if beaten they cross
the British border, is not corroborated and it now
appears their runners and scouts have informed
them of Terry's approach, and the main body of
savages are now on the back track for some suit
able spot where they can stand long siege.
Washington July 30. The following was re-
ceived here this afternoon:
Chicago, July 90.
To GENERAL SHERMAN -
have nothing of Importance to communicate to
you this morning. A sensational and utterly false
story of an engagement between Crook and the
Indians is published in one of the morning papers
OF this city. (oignedO
P. II. SHERIDAN.
Ottawa Ont, July 80. The Crees, Sioux and
BlackIeet in Canada Northwest number 2,400
warriors, well armed and equipped. The Cana
dian force in the Northwest consists of only $50
mounted police at Fort Pelly, and less than 100
militia at Winnipeg.
Omaha, July 30. An official telegram from Fort
Laramie says courier just arrived from the Red
Cloud agency says that Red Cloud told him that
Crazy Horse was coming into the agency very
soon; that his band is now on the way there, and
that twenty lodges had already arrived. Crazy
Horse has sent word to Capt. Egan that he wou Id
see him, shake hands with him, make treaty and
be friendly.
Indians lately arrived won't talk about the fight,
and pretend they know nothing of it.
A council was held at the Cheyenne camp. A
white courier was detained there to talk over the
change from civil to military authorities. Many
opposed it. Red Cloud has expressed satisfaction
at the change Fears are entertained that any at
tempts to deprive the Indians of ponies and arms
will meet with resistance. As they can muster
large force well armed. while the number of troops
at the Fort is very small, it is thought they will
allow themselves to be numbered without opposi-
ton.
Cheyenne, July %. Previous reports via the
Missouri river agencies are in part confirmed by
news received at Font Laramie from Red Cloud.
To-day rumOrs have arrived at that agency said to
have come from Crazy Horses band of herinecou-
jous. stating that that chief with portion of his
band had left Sitting Bulls domains and are
route for the agencies avowedy to treat for peace.
The turning over of the agencies at Red Cloud
and Spotted Tail to the war department has been
done without difficulty. While the mai )rty of
the indians are disposed to submit gracefully
thereto, quite a number express dissatisfaction to
have Soldier fathers" placed over them, and
final council is being held at Red Cloud to- day.
Some dissatisfa faction Is felt by the Indians at the
meagre supply of food given them, which consists
entirely of corn, flour and beef. They insist
sugar coffee and tobacco, in fulflment of treaty
stpulations and further attributng the departure
from the agencies Of those who have joined the
hostlles 10 this fact rather than to q desire for
war. Apprehensions of the inability to carry out
the orders to disarm all the Indians before allow
ing them to return 10 the agency, exist at Camps
Sheridan and Robinson.
New York, July 80. A special from Fort Bu-
ford, of the oath inst, says that Col. Otis and his
detachment of troops have arrived and would pro-
coed the next day to join Gen. Terry. There is
news OF Importance from Gen. Terry.
Nothing is known here of the rumored destruc-
ton of the steamer Far West" by fire. 1t is re-
garded as canard.
Friendly Indians report that thirty wounded
warriors had crossed the Missouri on their way to
Fort Peck agency, where they expect to be
ceived with open arms and supplied with medical
stores. 1t would greatly facilitate operations
against the hostile tribes If the different agencies
were forbidden to receive any Indians who are at
present absent.
Washington, July 30. The Indian Bureau con-
siders the criticisms and structures upon its man
agement, because the Sioux and other Indians
have been surreptitiously supplied with arms, as
unjust, and states that no complaints have been
made of that nature by the military authorities
Orders were issued on the 18th of January, pro-
hbting the sale Of arms and ammunition to the In
dans, and so far as the agencies concerned, it
is believed that the order has been respected The
agencies have been supplied with plain rations to
keep the Indians on their reservations and it such
had not been the Sitting Bulls force would
have been several thousands larger than it now is.
harmony with the war department, and last
Wednesday issued orders for the complete disarm-
ing, dismounting and arresting of every hostile
Indian who makes his appearance at any of the
agencies.