The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-06-05

making arrows fattening their horxos and generally
planning for the summers work. Nearly all arms
turned 10 ut different agencies valuelcss generally
muzzlc- leaders. and very few or that class.
q, Where are tho Indians who promised General
Miles 10 TO their agencies and surrender on the sih
OF October last just after their fight with Colonel Otis
ana himself which II was supposed would number
1000?
A. A few have already surrendered. some twenty
Indians at the Cheyenne Agency, they agreed and
sixty lodges the last OF April at Tongue River
OF the rest some are with the Yanktonnais and San
tees others Little Powder River and they arc gen.
orally scattered the village having been forced to split
on OF scarcity OF game and difference OF feeling
oil account OF tho murder OF the Ave chiefs at Tongue
River early last winter by the Crows.
SITTING BrLL's FORCE THE CUSTER FIGHT.
O. What portions OF the Indians now with Sitting
Bull participated the Fctterman and Custer fights
and your opinion, what Is their fighting condition
now as to prowcss and numbers compared with what
II was those occasionse
A. Every tribe OF Sioux from both sides OF tie Mis-
souri, River as well large numbers from the Chey
emo and Arapshoe camps participated in The Fort
Phil Kearny and Custer massacres In the former
there 300 effective and no villages near
the OF the fight Four months were consumed by
the Indians IN planning this fight was then at
Fort G. f. Smith. In the Custer massacre there
were not than effective warriors All tribes
Of the three nations fully represented. Eight
months consumed in perfecting the arrange
men,s. If Custer had attacked them they would
in few weeks, as soon ms the sun dance was ended,
have attacked our forces Sitting Bull the leading
man in this affair The lighting force has not
been diminished, and the Indians are to-day Drawer
and better armed than ever, except there may be a
little scarcity Of ammunition Sitting Bull sent to the
Blackiect Crows, Fiatheads, Nez Perccs, Snakes to
the Lower Santces, at Yankton Agency, and even 10
the halibrecds 10 join him. His arrangements were
not halt completed.
FALLacY OF PEACE
O. What will be the probable status OF the Sioux In
dian when the surrenders being made to Gen.
erals Crook and Miles completed?
A. Should these surrenders take place in consider
able numbers and rigorous campaign DO prosecuted
during the summer and fall many Indians
will gradually become demoralzed and return
TO the agencies but it must not DO forgotten that the
Upper Yanktonnas OF Fort Peck, numbering about
GOO lodges, viii refuse to surrender their arms and
ponies, and will become generally involved in the
war. In fact, great many OF the young mon oil this
tribe with the hosthes, mostly with Sitting
Bull. You therefore count on their being engaged
In hostiities during the summer least say 1900
lodges in both sections, unless unexpectedly large
surreDders made, which VIII somewhat reduce the
nnmber II the government does not demand the
arms and horses OF the above band OF Sioux the war
on their part will not be so extensive. The govern
ment might patch up peace at any time, as IT DID
with tho kowas, Chcycnnes and Arapahocs in the
Indian Territory in 1S6s-7o merely by cessation Of
military operations but the war would soon have to
be fought over again, as that was two years ago.
O. What constitutes the For, Peck Agency Indians
about what is their numbers and what course will they
take?
A. The Fort Peck Indians as follows:-
Lodges.