The New York herald., 1877-07-04

to Crows, rather the western half OF t. and
Home Of ths Crows" The Sioux. nowsvsr, have
driven the Crows from nearly all the country By their
superior numbers and now claim II theirs by right
OF conquest. The principle Of mesm and tuusn
little regarded among Indian nations among white,
English do. the stronger party taking about
what It wants from the weaker. The Sioux
probably the strongest in the whole country. The
tribe s made up of eight different bands under differ
snt eheiS or these the 0g.lalas, Minnsconjous and
Uncpapas are hostile, while the Brule, Yankton,
sAatee Blackfset and Saus-acres bands friendly in
the man though they often send out war parties TO
and Santes bands probably friendly 10 the whites
as any Indians IN tho country. They are settled oo
in a c,vilised way. The government furnishes
wSS EMPLOY Ssg . AND
branches OF industry, and two or three devoted
are living with them as mlssosariss and are gaming
good deal OF influence among them, Inducing
them 10 build schoolhousos and churches This effort
among the Sioux may lead 10 solution Of the Indian
problem, and It 10 certain It is leading in the only
right direction. The men who are devoting themselves
TOT should be sustained, and if they succeed they
should oe honorsd tor the signal ssrvcs rendered two
races
SIOUX NTEILIoEscs.
The hostile Sioux led by chiefs Of ability and de.
termination. Some OF them arc very capable men
ana iuly posted ON the Indian situation as affecting
them and u.s. and wiii es diincut 70 control them
wo are sincere IN our plans Tor their iuturo. The
Indian is naturally suspicious, but hs is now also des
lost his poverty complete and secs hopes OF betor
times The Northern Cheysnnes-a small band split
OF from tho southern trUe-arc allies OF the Sioux
and have Joined them In all their operations against
US Tho Northern Arapahocs were allies OF the
S"~a snoe lSsS Ssou az wh the wSes
active years In tho Powder River country. The
soax and AaR.soSs were hsn all on
white out Of the country and numberless conbats
ensuod, involving large loss Of llie on both Sides
ouK INDIAN FIGHTS.
The ODDS IN numbers were alwaye on the sue Ol tho
Indians, but tho troops generally came of victorious,
owing TO superior arms and discipline. The Indians
could number about four Thousand warriors AZ this
time, and there was never more than seven hundred
troops employed against them. The engagements
always between detachments OF troops--ons or two
companies less--and bodies oi Indians numbering
from one hundred to one thousand The most impor-
tant engagement IN the Powder River country,
and the only ons in which the Indians were
successful against an ,orgslized force was wha!
Oh the 2lst Of December, 1866, between
detachment Of ninety-one men Of the Eighteenth and
Sioux, Cheyennes and Arapahoss. The troops were
commanded by Colonel Fcttcrman, gallant man and
during the war; and the Indians led by Red Lea,
Iron-Clad and other noted chiefs This hgnt shows u
good example Of Indian sactics and cunning The gar
Of Fort Phil Kearny consisted OF two companies
OF Infantry and one Of cavalry, commanded by Colonel
Darlington. The Indians know that trains left tho
fort daily for the mountains TO procure timber and
wood and that they had small guard 10 escort them.
Collecting their forces lhey reached the viclnty Of the
day previous attack and concealed their
men behind tho mountains, four or Ave miles distant
ON the morning o me Sist Of December The train went
fort was attacked by nifty Indians
FErTERMAN's END
The attack was soon signalled to the fort by the
picket Oh neighboring height, and detachment Of
ninety-one men under Colonel Fetterman out
~ drive OH he Indians aud relieve the Fettsr-
man, instead of moving directly Tor the train took
line to get the of the Indians on their
retreat Seeing this the Indians ia Dack diminishing
with the troops and were followed the hills beng
sharply pressed by Fettermau until about ave miles
from The fort, when he found his command suddenly
beset by about two Thousand savages. part mounted
aud part on foot and all eager to tight Fettcrman's
iorce was probably scattered at the moment the am
bush was and many Of his s at the nrst
mile, closely followed, made stand the top Of
high ridge, determined to fight out, and here, after
two hours OF life and death struggle, the whole party
Of ninety.one and three officers were killed, not
even wounded man escaping to tell the story All
appeared from the sight OF their friends the fort s
cleaned from the reports OF the Indians coming to
through haibreeds on The frontier and from the posi-
tiVn OF the dead bodies when found after the fight
INDIAN LossEs.
The faults which led 10 the sacrifice Of ninety -four
military and should not be discussed here; but they
were well understood aud were not repeated Tho
parties Of roops in 1857 fsmal company on two oc.
casI0ns defeating 700 und 500 lRdians. he losses
which the Indians suffered In the Pnil Kearney light
and In other affairs with the troops have been
known, rs they always carry of the bodies Of tho
dead or wounded as soon as they fall, holding 1t
greater misfortune 70 lose the body OF one OF their
than to lose his life and they VIII often sacrifice
three In their efforts TO carry OIL one who has
fallen
USING REDS TO KILL REDS
The Crows are the peaceful indians OF the Powder
River country, and are old and Hrm friends Of the
white Tuey 1ne set Of people, the
specimens OF tue Indian race to be found They
superior 70 the Sioux IN courage and ability, and often
Crows enlisted cause armed anu sent against
the Sioux, they will take the nsht OF our hands
drive snsn ous Of tue country fhs gos nSs
adopted the policy oil using friendly Indians to fight
hostile ones as in the SO Of the Pawnees, and they
cannot do better thing II hostitos to continue.
than keep the Crows and other friendly Indians armed
to settle mattors with the Sioux
VUrURE OF rHk rOwDKR RRGIox
Tho Powder River country Is destined " be the home
Of largo ana rich population ut no distant day. II
possesses all the elements OF wealth, hne soil ana
good climate, coal In abundance limestone and su-
per0r building stone, aud undoubtedly great mineral
saith. Iron IS found IN many places and gold has
~bcen discovered by chance prospecors In quantities
TO warrant the belief that Inc Big Horn Little
woli mountains viii provo TO be rich in prscious
metals when they ars thoroughly explored
Abundant streams OF puro water run through she
country, and they will iurn sh moro poa or tnan
all tho streams OF New England when the time comes
to use them. The climate is much fDer Than would
be supposed from tho latitude, from 43 degrees to
40 degrees; 1t is about ike tho climate on the Pacific
Railroad but from 40 degrees to AZ degrees It is mucn
mder, being influenced by almost constant westerly
winds, which bring 10 IL the soft airs Of the Pacific
The Indians call this section Mcdicinc Ground, be
cause 10 pleasant and healthful Snow tails IN
small quantities, AID most OF the winter the weather
IL delightful tor out-ofdoor lie The average tenn.
perature the Big Horn about that Of Tho country
bordering the Ohio Cattle and all kinds Of stock can
live out alt winter without shelter, and with lood
what they pick up; tho grass pure air dry.
ing ground without osng It's nutrimcnL ana IL
Is just good Tor 1000 as that cut and cured the
usual way.
pAcILirIns FOR CATTLE RAISING.
For stock raising NO country could be 1Ecr than
this for the conditions 10 insure the mini
expense and labor, and the tine AIR and water
insure health 10 the herds. The country including
and bordering the Big Horn Mountains is particularly
fitted tor shcep raising Sheep Ike high land dry
air. and these with the hne rich grasses OF
slopes, would produce 1eeces excelled In auy
part OF the world Sheep husbandry Is as yet In It's
infancy with US but tho time will when the Bic
Horn country will bo famous Tor its nocks and wool
any parts Of the Old World and perhaps as famous
for us looms and mills too
Gamc is moro abundant In the Powder River coun.
try than part Of possessions. Here the bui-
alo range herds of thousands, sometimes blacken
ing the country for miles with thor hugo BODIES But
though they found In large muses. still aIi expe
rencc OF border men shows that they rapidly ess
enIng In numbers, and the sections IN VIII ch large
herds are found are becoming narrower every year
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