The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1878-10-04
The RECENT CHEYENNE OUTBREAK.
Letter from the Agent Stating the Caus-
and


Letter from the Agent Stating the Caus-
es and Results.
Agent J. ID. Miles, writes on Ono 21st.
1873: "The discontinued portion OF
northern Cheyennes, numbering about
$50 souls, did finally leave us, and from
reports are giving trouble on the Kansas
border as well as to troops in pursuit.
Many reasons can be assigned for Their
leaving this country and agency, from
their standpoint. First, there were so ma
ny things promised them, as they claim,
before they consented to come south
Second-The line of rations guaranteed
in ''the treaty of 10" has never been
furnished in full, and a portion of the
time only very small allowance out
side of beef They claim, too, that hous
es, wagons, cattle, hogs, fields, etc, were
to be given and furnished them as soon
as they reached this country-all, too,
without any "sweat of their brows''
The southern Cheyennes and Arapahoes
endeavored in many ways TO pacify
them and have them affiliate with the
other Indians of the agency, and in this
they were successful to the extent OF
about $50 or 575 under Living Bear
standing Elk" Turkey Legs" Calf
Skin Shirt" american Horse" and
others, who are well contented and have
their childen in school, The "discon-
tented or seceders'' under Dull Knife"
"Wild Hog" Little Wolf" "Old Crow"
etc, separated themselves from the bal
ance, and were so opposed to the gener-
al conduct of the other Indians and man.
ner of issues (of rations) as to make
themselves in dIsrepute amongst the
well disposed. In council and in pri-
vate they would still insist on their pref
erence for their old homes up north, and
had really expected that some of their
young men would go north, but / never
would believed that they would have
undertaken SO rash an act as to go in so
large body. Southern Cheyennes and
Arapahoes have lately been making
complaint that they were losing their
best horses, and that they believed North
ern Cheyennes were stealing them. FL
nally on the 9th inst, il was reported by
Southern Cheyennes that party of
Northern Cheyennes had gone north,
and that others were preparing to leave
In order that might learn the straight
of the charge, ordered roll call of all
adult males from the northern wing,
which was promptly done by those who
had affiliated with the Southern Chey-
ennes, hut the seceders refused to an
swer, but at the same time denying that
any OF their people had gone, and giving
as one excuse that so many of their peo-
pie were sick and could not report. In
order to meet this objection, on the Sth
inst. sent j. A. COvington and Doctor
Hodge to their camp, and the Dr. would
excuse all the sick men, and Covington
would enroll them. Nomen were found
too sick to travel though Il great many
women and children were, and Coving-
ton urged them, and fully explained to
them that the roll-call would not affect
those that were found present, but only
those who were absent. 1t was the de
cision of a very large portion of the
camp to move in as requested and stand
roll call, and they began to pull down
their lodges. This decision did not suit
the soldier clement of camp and the
others were stopped under threats of
violence to those who left. The follow
ing day, the 9th inst, Grafton day. "Wild
Hog, Little Wolf" and "Old Crow"
visited my Office and continued to offer
excuses. Col. Miner being present, we
each assured them that we had no de-
sire to work hardship tor them, but
inasmuch as it was charged that some of
their young men had gone, the only way
had to verify the charge was to get a
count, and that the count must be had.
This was backed up by n firm but
friendly statement of Col. Miner who
informed them that his troops were here
for the purpose of enforcing the orders
of the agent in all lawful and Just re-
quests, and that this order was just and
right. That night they quietly packed
up and struck north, leaving their lodg-
es standing.s This information was Civ
en- me bytwo Cheyennes at a. m. on
the morning of the 10th inst, whereup-
on Immediately notified Col. Miner of
their escape, and requested that "alI the
available troops of his garrison might be
sent in pursuit TO bring them back, and
that the Indian police of the agency
would accompany as scouts and trail
ers." At a. m, 10th inst, they were
on the trail. The information gathered
from the other Indians was to the effect
that they would fight if overtaken. The
Commissioners was telegraped promptly
of their escape-also Robt NJ. Wright
GRADER at Dodge City, Kansas, in order
to put thelcattle mon and citizens on the
border on their guard, as the Indians
would undoubtedly strike some of their
herds and likely show resistance II
checked in their march. We now have
an Indian courier in from Camp Supply
giving the information that the Chey
ennes were overtaken on the 18th by the
troops from Fort Reno, about so miles
northwest from Camp Supply, on THE
south side of the Cimmaron (red fork OF
the Arkansas) and that before hostilities
were commenced Major Randlebrock
commanding detachment, sent two Arap
no scouts cIittle Sitting Rull', and
"Chalk'O to their camp, "a strong hold
in the sand hills) offering an opportuni-
~ to surrender without bloodshed. This
offer was made the third time ana stub
bornly refused. A battle ensued which
is counted by the Indian scout ~Littls
Sitting Bull" as very strong, lasting ovel
"A hours, IN which the troops lost three
men killed, two mortally wounded. and
two others slightly wounded. The scout
says the troops suffered greatly for wa
ter, and were forced to come in 70 Calnr
supply Nc feel very anxious IN flIis
matter, and yet cannot see how we coIIld
have done differently and ACCOMPLISH
better results. One thing / do know
that but few persons will Be able 10 iI,l
ly appreciate the efforts put forth In rec.
oncile them, and our nervous strain IN
the failure TO accomplish what we desir
ed. My fears are that the young bnclrs
VIII scatter on the frontier; and DerbaTs
DO some raiding, and escape north.
Very respectfully,
JSo, d. MILEs, o. s. Ind. Ag't