The New York herald., 1876-07-18
IHE INDIAN WAX.
Story Of Clusters Humiliation in
Front Of the Enemy.
His COMMAND DISTRIBUTED TO SUBORDINATEO
Graphic Details Of the Situation
on the Border.
UNDERESTIMATE on INDIAN STRENGTH
Moro Than Ten Thousand Savage Warriors
in the Field.
UNF0UNDED RUMORS OF DEPREDAfIONS.
Panic in the Border Counties of
Minnesota.
A Savage Who Speaks French and
Studies Napoleon.
ATROCITIES BY THE REDSKINS.
UNFoUNDED RUMoRS OF DEPREDAFIoNS.
Panic in the Border Counties of
Minnesota.
4 Savage Who Speaks French and
Studies Napoleon.
ATROCITIES BY THE REDSKINS.

Originating with the recent battle there has been
much uneasiness among people not on the immedi-
ate frontier, and in some instances unfounded ru-
Of the presence or depredations OF the Indians
have caused general stampede. This is true Of
several localities in Southern Dakota and in West
ern Minnesota, and an unfounded rumor was tele-
graphed tnat the Indians had murdered two fa1ni-
lies near Brainerd. No Indians have made their ap-
pearance in this locality since the battle except
small parties undoubtedly friendly, passing to and
fro from the agencies Rumors Of hostile intentions
have grown out Of the fact that seventy
lodges OF agency Indians are located near
where the Black Hills train from Bis
marck crosses the Cannon Ball; but these
Indians well known and known to be friendly,
and are located on reservations So, though each
day brings forth new batch of rumors they pass
for such and no harm is done. Indeed there Is no
cause to apprehend danger to settlements east Of
the Missouri River. The Indians are successful only
when they can move rapidly, and they will take no
chances for the sake Of revenge or scalps, punder
being the great temptation, particularly horses.
The river is too great obstruction their move
ments for them to be caught on the wrong side of
it; but frontier settlements In Nebraska and
wyoming and more particularly those of Montana,
are in danger unless the war is pushed vigorously.
INDIAN STRENGTH uNDEREsrIxArED.
Sherman and Sheridan certainly underestimate
the strength Of the hostiles. Sitting Bulls band,
before it was joined by Crazy Horse, numbered
1900 lodges-over 600o effective lighting force-and
Crazy Horse has proven himself strong enough to
defeat Crook In every engagements without the aid
Of Sitting Bull. Colonel Burke, agent ut standing
Rock, who certainly Is well informed and not dis
posed to exaggerste their strength, estimates the
fighting force Of the Sioux at 10000 and It should be
remembered that women and children are not ele-
ments Of weakness, for every nine-year-
old boy will handle o gun, stone, maIlet or bow
70 better advantage than a majority OF recruits
handle their muskets Squaws do the camp
drudgery and are ready for the battle II their scr
vices are needed. tried to give you last week an
Indian account Of the battle, but could not reach
you in time. Sitting Bulls Uncpapas lost $50, and
other hands nearly rs many OF the three principal
CHIEFS for time believed to be Sitting Bull prob
ably Craxy Horse was killed.
INDIAN SORROW FOR CUSTER.
The Rees at Fort Lincoln mourned several days
over Custers death, cutting themselves with knives
and exhibiting genuine sorrow In other ways pecu-
liar to the Indian. One refused to mourn and in the
widest manner called on Custer's spirit to drive
the Sioux from the land and insisted that hts brave
band would do It,
A cLARv0YANTs PREDICTION.
To your correspondents certain knowledge a DR..
Thomas clairvoyant physician Of Minneapolis three
years ago. while In trance gave fair sketch of
Custers battle ground and foretold the massacre Of
the entire party at that point and giving correct
idea OF the sorrow throughout: the land following
This circumstance was recalled BY an onlcer of
Terry's command yesterday, to whom the prophecy
was related at the time of Custcr's Black Hills expc-
diton, in the presence OF your correspondent
CUSTER DEPRIVED OF coxMAsD.
The fact that Custer, though with the expedition
and nominaly In command OF his regi-
ment, had no command whatever until
after Reno's return from his fruItess
scout OF the Goth, has not been made
public. His regiment was divided into two wings
the right under Reno and the left under Benteen,
while Custer left to wabble where he would
without responsibility and without command. Much
OF the time was spent with his brothers and few
trusty men, hunting and scouting on his own ac-
count Generally he was with the advance. but not
in command OF II. Two or three times he
Bad Lands or mountains, and once Terry
said no other onlcer but Custer could
have conducted the command through difficulties
which seemed unsurmountablc so successfully.
on the morning OF June q. for the first time,
Custer was given a command, and those who know
him do not wonder that he tried to make the most
Of 1t and hazarcd all In an attempt TO conquer the
Sioux without assistance. When Custer entered
upon
HIS LAST MARCH
he was reading Alexanders "Her Dearest Foe"
have just been shown the book. and find many pas
sages showing the strongest affection and the most
kindly and forgivng spirit marked. but this:-"I
have faith in my own fortunes. and believe | shall
conquer In the end,r struck me most forcbly. That
faith in his own fortune and the chatting he had re-
ceiyed at the hands OF the President, which Terry
had done little to heal, was the immediate cause OF
the disaster.
THE AGENCY INDIANA
Major Mitchell, agent at Fort Peck, arrived to-day.
The MAYOR says the Indian Commissioner reports
1900 Indians at Fort Peck Agency, OF which
he took charge this spring, but he
has never been able To find that
number. He thinks. however. that none Of his In
dians are IN the hostile camp, and says the chiefs
expressed ekreat sorrow when they learned Of the
Custer massacre.
The Bismarck r-foune's special from Berthold,