New-York tribune., 1876-10-25
GEN CROOK HEADS OFF A NEW VAR.

RED CLOUD CAPTURED AND DEPOsED.
SPOTTED TAIL MADE CHIEF OF ALL THE SIoUx-Two
LARGE CAMPS TAKEN WITHOUT FIRING A SHOT.
IBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUSE.l
RED CLOUD AGENCY, Oct. %, via FORT LARAMIE,
Oct. 24.-Affars at this agency reached climax
yesterday. About the time the late treaty commits
sion met here, four weeks ago. the Indians moved
away from the agency, and camped on Chadron
Creek, 25 miles eastward from this point. They
sent in squaws to draw rations bat refused to come
IN a body themselves When Gen. Crook arrived
here eight days ago, word sent to these Indians
that no ratiOns would be issued to them until
they moved into the agency. In response to this,
Little Wounds band Of one hundred and eighty
lodges came in and camped near Crow Butte, close
to the agency. The Ogalallas under Red Cloud,
and Coajajohs under Red Leaf numbering nearly
three hundred lodges, refused to in Trails Of
hostile Sioux, leading toward their camp, showed
that they in active mtercommuncation adm
the proximity of settlements along the North Platte
made their attitude decidedly menacing. 1t was
ascertained beyond doubt that many warriors had
already gone out north to join the hostile Sioux,
encouraged thereto by reports brought in by the
latter that buffalo coming in upon the Powder
and Little Missouri rivers in immense herds. More
over it is certain that these Indians accepted the
proposition Of sending a delegation to Indian
Territory to look for homes merely 70 tide affairs
until Spring, when they would all go Oh thewar-
path.
When Dr. Daniels and Mr. Howard of the Com
mission arrived here two weeks ago to take the dele
CATION of Indians south they found Red Clouds
people already taking the initiative for war; Gen.
Crook Immediately cOmprehended the situation, and
determined not TO permit these people to escape.
Gen. MerritPs command, comprising all the troops
of the late expedition, about 1000 men strong, was
encamped on Cheyenne River, 90 miles north THIS
force was ordered to concentrate on Red Cloud
Agency at once but the movements of the Indians
became so threatening that affairs precipitated
much sooner than expected.
Last night at dark Cen Mackenzie ordered to
take ali his available force of cavalry, consisting Of
six companies of the 4th and two companies of the
9TH Cavalry and march Immediately upon the In
dian encampment at Chadron Creek This move
ment was executed with great secrecy and prompt
ness and at dawn of day the camp OF Red Leaf was
surrounded by Major GorlOn's battalion, and that
Of Red Cloud was surrounded by Capt Maucks
battalion. Not shot fired. The troops closed
in and completed the Gordon, and these two pestfer
ous tribes with all their women, children, ponies
and arms We're captured. The Indians were at once
disarmed and dismOunted and the whole con-
voy IS now on its way to the agency under
charge of Gen. Mackenzie. This is the first move
in the performance Of work that should have been
done last Spring. Gen Crook at once deposed Red
Cloud and made Spotted Tail chief of all the Sioux
The latter chief will shortly bring his people from
their agency over here. Meantime he promises TO
send more of his young men here to assist IN
preserving peace and promoting the policy Of the
Government in subduing the hostile tribes. con-
siderable number Of warriors from Little Wounds
and Spotted Tails bands will join Gen. Crook in his
approaching campaign, that at last a line has
been drawn so distinctly between agency Indians
and those outside that the can no longer be
used as base of supplies for the hostile sayages.
Immediately upon receiving news from Mackenzie
Of this mornings capture, Gen. Crook informed tho
Commissioners here that they could proceed with
their plan of getting delegation of Indians to go to
Indian Territory, while he will proceed at once with
the work of organizing the new expedition against
the northern hosties. IL Is just two years ago to-
dag since these Indians threatened to massacre
everybody at the agency because it was proposed to
hoist the United States flag there, and they are the
same Indians who participated in the Fetternan and
Custer massacres. This is the trst blow they have
ever received and it is not probable they will get an
opportunity to murder and plunder this frontier
again,