The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-02-23
SPOTTED TAILS MISSION.

AN EXPEDITION OF PEACE TO THE HOSTILE
AFFAIRS AT THE AoENcIEs-ExrENr OF HOS
TILE INDIAN LOSSES.
CAMP RoBrSsoN, RID CLoUD AGExcY,(
Feb. IA, 1877.
Military operations against the Northern hostics at
this point something OF standstil at present
Meantime, however, there is going forward rather
interesting Indian experiment. Tho friendly old Chief
Spotted Tail, "Old Spot,' he is Familiarity
called, has gone forth self-imposed mission of
peace He wants to persuade Crazy Horse to give up
lighting the whites and como In and make treaty
with them. After General Crooks return from tho
Powder River Expedition his attention occupied
for several days at General Court Martial at Chey-
cnne Leaving there he proceeded through Red Cloud
to Spotted Tail Agency. There be had talk with Old
Spot and his braves and the result that tho
faithful old chief called about h,m 200 bucks and
set out to have pariey with Crazy Horse,
and endeavor by his persuasive elo-
quencc, 10 induce him TO nght the
whites more, but like good "lnjun" to come in
and eat government rations while wearing out lazy
life in filth and Incidence around the agencies Tho
General returned TO Rcd Cloud and while there the
lately enlisted Indians were mustered out and paid off,
or their very glad on the receipt OF
their money; but there something more behind It
TO make them happy. All promises made 10 them
when the expedition was organized had been very
faithfully kept This has operated as asreeably as u
novel ana welcome experience of the kind may be
pected to operate among any abused lot OF people in
the world. Now they all eager TO enlist again and
they hail the prospect Of more campaigning with
spontaneous and sincere show how !"
Alter tho adjustment Of some little details at Red
Cloud General Crook, with Leutenants Bourke and
Schuyler of his staff, went to Fort Laramie wherc he
awaits OF the progress of Spotted TAILS expedition
Of peace. old spot, 1t should be remembered, is
the uncle Of Crazy Horse and it is hoped he may DO
able induce his bcllgcrcn relative to come 10 forms
before the spring opens
WAITING FOR THE NEWS.
Major Randall, who had such trying experience In
band of Crow Indians last December has gone to Can
Reno TO forward to General Crook the first in
formation OF the result OF spotted Tails mission An
Indian courier is TO be sent In with the news by spot
ted Ia 10 Reno, and Major Randall Is to 1t
Fctterman by courier From Fetcrman 1t will be for
wardcd General Crook Fort Laramie by telegraph
II learned that the hostes refuse TO and
make peace II Is now understood that another cxped
ton will be formed at once. or perhaps two expcd
tons with Reno and Belle Fourchc rs bases
OF supplies Matters are so well arranged at the
agency now that whenever hostile comes IN no is ut
once discovered. Some came in few days ago. and
we learned OF General Miles last light Those INDIANS
who came in hero said that two Indians were killed
and ono wounded. Tho fight took place somo
distance IRON the Indian village which, they say,
not disturbed. The bucks knew the troops com.
ing. and they marched forth to meet and give them
battle
INDIAN LOSSES
So N sch has been said ami written during the past
year the Indian losses In battle and SO little really
known the actual loss TINT 1t has been considered
worth while TO undertake an investigation into This
business. The story usually has gone that ''thcre
heavy Indian losses, but the hostcs had carried
of their dead. ~ Frank GrOuard the scout, IS now
moving among the Indians ut Spotted Tail and trying
ascertain from them, who have heard tho exact
truth iron the hoscs what me real amount OF their
losses was. Az Red Cloud Lieutenant Clark has also
some mon TO inquire into this matter, and in n
little whlo something like an accurate idea OF tho
Indian losses may be formed.
SPOTTED TAILS PLEDGE
The romantic story connected with Spotted Tails
devoted adherence the whites has been dwelt
considerably since no undertook his mission OF peace
The tale. which is by no means new here runs thus:
'avorte daughter OF tho old chief became en-
amorcd OF officer stationed at Camp Sheridan,
BY the pale face; Love unrequnsd was her
portion, but still. she loved on, though her
passion left to feed upon ITSELF But 1t only grew
The more, until at last she sickcDcd and died OF
broken heart. Before dying the Indian maiden called
her father to her sde and with her last breath be-
sought him to promise her never to fight with tho
white man again. Such promise he must long have
hcstaed ABOUT making, Tor he iclt all The wrongs of
his people keenly, and all his glory was IN war; But
last he promised, and faithfully has he kept his
pledge lie may be called crafty and poic-for,
though untuorcd savage he has brains--but he Is
never hostile. lie is dgnincd beyond all comparison
with the other chiefs and he has ruled his people
with an iron hand.
Spotted TAIL is said to have killed more OF his own
people than any other chief now living, and Tor this
hated by some, too lie has another
daughter named Shonkoo, which means The
road who has recently been married
TO Mr.. Lone Elk, dashlng young buck. rhcrc is also
a littc hit OF romance about Shonkoo Not long
ago sisters OF CHARITY visited the agency amt
presented TO Spotted Tai during their stay. lc was
well pleased to meet them. and had fricndly "ialk
with them at Colonel Mills house. In the course OF
the conversation they asked nm if he would like to
give them shonkoo 10 go and live with them IN the
convent. He said yes, he would ike 1t very much.
Then they sent for shonkoo and asked her II she
u,
no answer heir question: Her father urged her to
speak, to say yea but still she was silent and the IN
tcrview thus terminated That night Shonkco copcd
with Lone Elk, Ia whom she managed TO convoy the
intelligence that her father was about to send her
away Shonkoo is considcrcd quite pretty. She mas
good taste IN dress Tor Indian woman, and under
stands English but dislikes 10 speak IT, She is proud
enough to DO princess.