The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1877-11-27
SITTING BULLS PRISONER.
A Survivor of the Custer Massacre
Becomes an Indian Chief.
Boston Harald.l

WASHINGTON, Nov. IA The Com.
mission which was sent to Sitting Bull
made an important discovery in the fact
that the warrior has in his camp white
prisoner captured at the Custer massa-
ere. Before reaching Fort Wahh ru-
mors reached the Commission that Sit.
ting Bull aleld some of Custer's men as
prisoners and after the first conference
one of the half-breed interpreters en-
ployed by Gen. Terry visited the camp,
and, while passing through,was accosted
in English by a person painted and
dressed as a chief, who said that his
name was Martin Ryan, who was Cor
poral in Company /, Seventh Cavalry,
Col. Keough's company, and had been
taken prisoner at the battle of the Lit
tie Big Horn with Custer. Inquiry ap.
parently substantiated his assertion, and
the following facts were ascertained :
Ryan's life had been spared by Sitting
Bull himself, who adopted him into his
own family. Ryan made several attempts
to escape, but being carefully guarded
was unsuccessful, and on each occasion
he was severely beaten. He has now
apparently accepted the situation, and
Sitting Bull has made him war chief
and married Ryan to one Of his own
daughters. Ryan has let his hair grow
in Indian fashion, dresses as an Indian,
and Is known by the Sioux asthe White
Chief. 8r1 7sa ssw hi1p a sl,,t ga; h
Upon the return Of the Commission to
St. Paul, Gen. Terry caused the muster
rolls of Company l.. Seventh Cavalry, ia
be examined, and found that Martin Ry.
ans name is borne as Corporal, and thai
he was present for duty when HE com.
pany went into that fatal action OF June
%, 1873. 1t was stated by the friendly
Indians that there are several others 81
Clusters men prisonersi In Sitting Bulrs
camp, but Ryan's case was the only one
which was verified. Sitting Bull was
asked the question direct by Gen, Cor.
bin if he took any prisoners Of the Sew
|enth Cavalry and answered fatty: "Ths,
lis none Of your business" Sitting Boil
talked considerably about the battle with
Custer, and all be said fully confirms ths
conclusions arrived at by Gen. Terry
last year when he examined the ground
|just after the battle. He said that q,
first he thought Gen. Terry's whole ar
my was upon him, and he had moved
his women and children and property
about four miles in retreat, when he re
ceived information from his scouts tha
lit was only the Seventh Cavalry snt
Long Hair Custer. and that they wer,
divided and Reno had already retreated
He bays he then look 4,000 warrior,
and went back and moved down on Gus
ter in solid mass and ended the figh
right there. He says that Long Hal
was one of the very last down, and tina
the Indians shouted and made signs t.
him to surrender, but he would not, snt
about the very last Of the fight he wa.
killed. He said that if he had capturet
Custer he would not have hurt him, bp
have kept him in his camp. He was ask
ed how many men he lost, but be refus
ed to tell the number. After few mo
ments, however, he said that be had los
a great many warriors; indeed, more
than two for every man Long Hair had
In regard TO Corporal'R Ryan's case, Gen
Terry has written letter to the, STATE
Department through Secretary McCrary
detailing the facts as ascertained, to th,
end that the assistance OF the British
Government may be asked to effect BIZ
release. yso gs,,s4.ao TIA SIS tsl