Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1876-08-24
Ash Hollow.

Iv II Ash Hollow. ie ~
General WIS Harvey, whose rep
utation as an Indian fighter was won
in many a hard-fought contest
amono tho everglades of Florida, and
on the great plains of the West, was
in town yesterday, having dropped in
from his country seat near Meramee
station. A reporter of the Republi-
can, casually meeting with the Gen
eral On the street, after passing the
time of day, most naturally asked
what his views were about se bliss
THE PRESENT SIOUX WAR.
Entirely unnecessary" said the
General "If they had carried out
the treaty made with the Siox there
would have been no war The Indi-
ans are fond Of distinction, and orig
mated a scheme, inviting the young
warriors to become soldiers of the
United States. They were to receive
uniforms, be formed into companies,
and hold themselves in readiness to
assist the armies Of the United States
whenever callet upon Certificates
of enlistments were issued to them,
by which their natural pride was
gratifed, and they exalted in being
recognized as soldiers.~sIn this new
relation they becameyfast friends of
the United States, and it is a fact that
in 1867, when the Indian Peace Com
mission, of which I was a member,
visited the Sioux OF the Upper MIS-
souri,, hundreds Of middle-aged
braves came into the council, and as
an evidence that they had eyer been
on friendly terms with the govern
ment, pulled out their from belts the
original certificates issued to them by
me eleven years before. IL t.dseo1f
Reporter-The treaty you refer to
General, was made with the Sioux at
Fort Pierre after your battle with
them at Ash Hollow? ap tH -s
"Yes," said the General:l and he
proceeded to relate briefly the cause
which led to that war, and a descrip-
ton OF 3d. M 8i KjlI99nls
THE ASH HOLLOW FIGHT,
of which the following is the sub
stance:
The Sioux had been from the time
immemorial at peace with the whites,
but in the month Of August, 1874,
about 700 lodges of Minneconious,
headed by old Matthews, or Bear
at-Shrinks, were encamped at
-Beauden's rancho, eight miles from
Fort Laramie. A Mormon, train came
along and left lame cow behind.
An Indian killed the COW. The Nor
mons reported the fact to Lieutenant
Fleming, commanding the post at
Fort Laramie. which was then gar
risoned by sixty men. Lieutenant
Grattan was sent out with half the
garrison to capture the Indian who
slaughtered the COW. A demand was
made for the outlaw, who was "a visi-
tor with the tribe, and the chief said
he could not turn him over without
violating hospitality. The chief Of
fered to give him three ponies in pay
ment for the sick cow. Lieutenant
Grattan, in huff, declined receiving
reparation. He would accept nothing
shoIt of the man; blood for blood,
man for COW. Having made a formal
demand three several times, with the
solemnity due to the occasion, he un-
limbered ix-pouder and pointed it
toward the Indian village. A man
stood ready to apply the lighted
match to the printing. The old chief
placed his body before the muzzle of
the cannon, and yelled: "For Gods
sake don't shoot; have pity on u.s."
With uplifed hands he received the
charge and was
BLOWN TO ATOMS.
The Indians then turned upon their
assailants and killed every man in
the party, including the commander
and interpreter.
Swift Bear, the chief whom Gener-
al Harvey met at Fort Laramie thir-
teen years afterward and presented
with suit, picked up one of the dy-
ing soldiers and lugged him eight
miles to Fort Laramie, where the
man expired. The Indians then
broke camp and crossed the Platte.
Then commenced the Indian war.
Another event occurred in the same
fall which interrupted the peace.
In November, 1854, Spotted Tail,
Long Chin, Red Leaf, and three other
young braves who were soldiers of
the old chief killed near Fort Lara
mie by Grattan's men, attacked the
United States mail coach on the way
to Salt Lake. killed three employees,
wounded Mr.. Kincaide, of Salt Lake,
and robbed the mail of S10,500 in
gold. They also stole the mules and
harness. The, robbery occurred
twenty five miles east of Fort Lara
mie.
General Harney being then in CON-
mand of the United States forces in
the Sioux country, resolved to chas-
tise the Indians for the numerous
outrages committed by them. He
came up with the Sioux, composed
mostly of Brules, under their famous
war chief
LITTLE THUNDER,
and sent a demand for the surrender
Of the mail coach murderers and 9TH
er desperadoes, whose crimes were
screened by the tribe. Negotiations
We're continued without the prospect
of favorable termination. Although
the slaughter of sGrattan's men was
considered breach of peace, yet
General Harney did not make 1t a
point, as he believed, and believes to
this day, that Grattan was intoxica-
ted, and that it was his imprudence