The Lake County star., 1876-07-27
A History OF the Troubles.

The washington correspondent OF the
Chicago Tribune writes as follows con-
cerning Clusters expedition
For many years band of hostile
Sioux have been roaming through the
northern portion of Dakota under the
leadership of Sitting Bull, Crazy Horse,
and few other chiefs. Two years ago
their number was estimated at seven
thousand, but subsequently about four
thousand of these Indians went into the
agencies at Standing Rock, Spotted Tail
and Cheyenne River, reducing the num-
ber who might properly be called hostile
to about three thousand. The War De-
partment estimates Sitting Bulls band
at about three thousand Indians. The
number of warriors in these bands could
not originally have exceeded between
four and five hundred. All attempts to
induce these Indians to go upon reserv-
ations have thus far failed, and General
Crook visited Washington for the pur-
pose of consulting the Administration in
regard to its further treatment of them.
With the Secretary of War and General
Cowen, Acting Secretary of the Interior,
General Crook visited the President and
proposed that an expedition be sent
against these Indians during the winter,
when they would be less prepared than
at any other time to resist it. His recon-
mendation was favorably considered, and
message was sent to Sitting Bull and
the chiefs who were operating with him
ordering them to report at the reserva-
tions before the 1st of January, 1876, the
alternative being that if they did not
the United States would make war
against them. This step was considered
necessary not only on account of the
numerous murders of white people COM
mitted by these Indians, but because
they were making constant attacks on
the Bannock and other friendly Indians
whose reservations were in their vicin-
ity, and were melting other Sioux to
hostility. The uneasiness of the Red
Cloud and the Spotted Tail Indians on
account of the invasion of the Black
Hills, and the scarcity of the supplies
furnished them, also made it very dan.
gerous to allow these hostile bands to
remain any longer beyond the control OF
the United States authorities. They
might at any time be led to join in a
general war, which it would require the
entire available military power of the
United States to quell, and in which
there might be great sacrifice of life
and property.
The hostile Sioux paid no attention
whatever to the orders directing them
to report at the reservation, and prepara-
tions were made to send an expedition
against them. The first engagement oc-
Cured in January, but resulted in no
advantage on either side.
A letter dated Fort Berthold, Dakota
Territory, January 16, 1876, reports that
at that time there were about five hun
dred lodges of hostile Sioux. On the
23d of last month General Sheridan tele-
graphed to the War Department General
Crooks telegraphic report OF another en-
gagement; the report being dated June
II. The particulars of this fight have al.
ready been published, and its result was
to give greater encouragement to the
hostile Indians, and TO lncite them to
greater desperation.
On more than one former occasion the
Indians have deceived troops into one of
these ravines, and surprised them by an
ambuscade. In 1868 or 1869 General
Darlington, who was in command at old
Fort Phil. Kearney ordered out his
troops in pursuit of Indians who were
making a demonstration. The soldiers
followed them into ravine, between
two hog backs, when they were attacked
by other Indians concealed among the
rocks on the sides and top of the hill,
and all massacred.
Great surprise has been EXPRESSED in
Washington by those who knew General
Custer at all, that he should have been
caught in any Indian trap. He had
great experience as an Indian fighter,
and was we'll acquainted with all their
tricks and modes OF warfare. He was an
officer of great bravery and daring. If,
then, he was caught in an ambucade, as
the report seems to indicate, it was be-
cause his enthusiasm got the better Of
his iudoment