The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-06-05
PREPARATIONS FOR WAR.
Sitting Bulls Probable Strength
this Summer.
A LARGE FORCE GATHERING.
The Custer Butcher at the Bottom OF
the Mischief.

TONGUE RIVER, Nay IL, 1877.
In The near approach OF the extra session OF Con-
Rress when it is expected the question OF large
decrease OF the army will considered and probably
under the impression that the Sioux war IS over or
scarly so, We give the following statements OF Mr.
John w. Smith, now trader In the Sioux country,
which we are reliably informed substantially ac-
curate in every particular Mr. Smith is well known
ON the Northwest frontier and his Opinions ana
knowledge OF Indian movements have heretofore been
found in every instance and have been OF great
value II IS believed that any action OF Congress IN
reducing the army at this time, under the impression
and Tor the that the Sioux war over or nearly
so IN manner satisfactory 10 the country, would be
premature and based on incorrect impressions. The
statements here gwen. we are informed, may be verified
by calling officers Of the army others of intelligence
from the military posts and country In and about tho
scene OF operations herein referred TO- The degree OF
success met by our arms during last summer is well
known TO tho country.
GENERAL NILES GOOD WORK.
The admirable work of the past winter by General
Miles brought and Will bring good fruits But TO THIS
date his Killed and captured form but small traction Of
the enemy against whom we have to contend, whiie
in conformity with the customary Indian cunning
The sixty lodges which came in about the gath
Of April wcro mainly composed OF women ana
old and inefficient men. Tho surrenders 50
long talked of At Spotted Tail have at last
been consummatcd, but the 800 people who
came in only small portion OF those stu I'M
accounted for Are these to vindIcatc the slaughter
of Fctterman and Custer; to terminate the Sioux war
TO bring lasting peace in their country and 10 prevent
The CHASTITY scenes of Fort Phil kearny and the Little
Big Horn in future! Those who believe in such a
result viii be disappointed Tho Indian character b as
not changed. The aggression OF our Western omigra-
lion accelerated, who the history OF red and white
has been regular repetition since tho landing OF
the Pilgrims, and will 50 continue until tho Sioux war
Is closed, which is not yet. The rolls Of tho agencies
show an immense number OF Indians still out, and OF
those present remarkably largo dsproporton OF old
men, worthless men, women and children. nave had
an interview with an old fron,ersman about the In
dams The following are his statemens:-
THE REDS IN THE YELLOWSTONE VALLEY.
O. What Indians, and In what numbers, VIII be left
in the Yellowstone Valley II Crazy Horse surrcnders
10 General Crook and those TO General Miles that he
expects will do soy
A. There will still remain fragments from all tribes
Of Sioux, Arapahoes and Cheyennes, properly belong
ing the west and south side OF Missouri River, and
they will number about four hundred lodges. These
are bitterly hostile About onc-thrd of them are
Cheyenues. These fragments will probably go far into
the Big Horn Mountains when pushed, the
Missouri River and Join the Yauktonnais and the
rcnega0cS
age three young, well armed, brave men. believe
the people who surrender will be the old and decrepi,
and a few young men will come with them. The pco-
pie who have lost friends will not surrender until they
are compelled by force have those that sur
rendered at Standing Rock. and there very few
young men among them. The accounts we have of
their surrender 10 General Crook have been greatly
reduced since they were first published, and OF the
large number expected to surrender to General Miles
but SIXTY lodges have come in. Military commanders
exception 10 the general rule, that our wishes
cadus in all sincerity 10 give The best view OF tho
BULLS HERD
O About how many warriors has Sitting Bull now
the Inc, including hose who have been steadily
hostile never having treated with the government, the
hostile renegades the agency tribes and the other
mLhostile bands that will be with him in the dghtg
A. The probable strength OF Sitting Bull can safely
be estimated as folows:-Uncpapas and Minncconjous
who crossed the Missouri River September last, $50
lodges or 600 warrors renegade Sanecs 100 lodges
500 warriors; Sitting Bulls Immediate village made
up and moving to-day 800 lodges or 1000 warriors,
and IN all not far from 1000 warriors. This
irely exclusive OF the 400 lodges OF about 900
rors OF Sioux, Choycnnes and Arapahoes the vcin-
ity Of the head OF Little Powder River, some of whom
disposed surrender Generals Crook and Miles,
nish large rcinforcemcnts TO Sitting Bull They
number about GOO lodges 1900 warriors. No
one accurately estimate the number OF these
that will be with sitting Bull in the fight, depending
much upon the character OF the campaign, but many
Of them are with him now, and should he be hard
pushed do not see how they remain at peace.
Sitting Bulls band contains more than two and half
warriors to lodge, IL IS moving war or recruiting
camp and the Same may be said OF the 400 lodges on
Little Powder River.
PRRssEDp
O What is your opinion 10 the probability OF
their crossing the line when attacked, and what would
bs their reception over the lines
A. They do not want to cross the line; they
friendly with tho halfbrecds only SO far as they
mutually benefited in trade The authorizes there
will oppose it, They would rather surrender after a
struggle with forces than go the British pos
SESSIONS do refer to the Santces II Is difficult
FOR an Indian TO leave his native country permanently.
There is little timber. and shelter north It
IS extremely cod they have relatives there all or
which will be considered by lem, and all will be In
supcrablc arguments against such a move Ii hard
pressed they Will recross the Missouri aud the
Big Horn Mountains, country OF which little is
known, thoroughly locked in by mountain ranges and
very difficult OF access for people. They them
selves even IL with many superstltions on ac
count OF It's savagencss.
MINNESOTA MASSACRE
O. How many arc there Of the renegade santccs
who were engaged In the Minnesota massacre across
the liner
A. There 200 lodges under White Eagle ana
about thirtynve with Inkpaduia; thev usually range
south OF the line. am not acquainted with thoso
bands who remain permanently on the other side
What numbers OF the Southern Cheyenne In
dams do you think have como north and Joined the
Northern Cheyennes?
A. About two hundred lodges, poorly armed and
equipped, but very stubborn They away from
the southern country after tho ngnt years
ago very destitute. many being on foot They came
4 few at a time They are very hostile, ard
,retty we'll recruited.
WHAT VIZ GAIN ~ sURRESpERs.
O. In the surrenders made at the agencies and now