Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1878-08-10
An INDIAN VAR DANCE.
A description by n soldier from
Mnrrlaburg.

A description by n soldier from
H~nrFlaburg.
The Harrisburg Telegraph says
Power Coulter, son Of VIM. p.
Coulter, of thiscity, is at present a
soldier In Company O, Fifth us.
Cavalry stationed near Fort Nc
Kinney, Wyoming Territory. In
a letter to a gentleman in this city,
dated eCamp on Clear Fork OF
Powder River, Wyoming, July
18TH" he gives the following de-
scription of a war dance in which
the friendly Arrapahoe Indians took
part: m
"We have with us twenty-five
Arrapahoe Indians, each of them
individually noted for his bravery
and daring. On the evening Of the
Fourth of July the officers had
them give one of their celebrated
war dances, which | witnessed. AS
we approached their camp darkness
was fast settling her sable mantle
on the earth and as we drew nearer
the scene presented to us was weird
and fascinating, exceeding even the
widest conceptions Of Dante. In
an open glade, surrounded by tall
cotton woods, u large fire was burn
ing, sending volumes Of smoke and
flame skyward. Oircling around
the fire were some fifteen braves,
their naked bodies daubed
and painted III a horrible
manner. They commenced their
performance by chanting q
monotonous sort Of song, keeping
time with their arms, bodies, legs
and heads. No far from them sat
four others, beating tom-toms (hol-
low gourds covered with buckskin.
AS this drumming proceeded the
part around the fire increased their
speed, and now they 60 circllng
around and around, jumping AND
yelling as only Indians can yell
twisting their bodies in every con.
ceivable shape; all the time %iercely
brandishing their knives, toma
hawks or guns, firing at an imagin
airy foe, doubling, turning an(
twisting while in the lurid glare o
the light they recall TO ones mine
the scene of Macbeth's visit to tn
witches of Millions idea of hell. |
was a strange, weird scene. TIL
huge fire around which these untu
tored sayages were dancing threw
bright light upon every objec
within a radius of thirty feet; th
dark background Of cottonwood
looked somber and silent, out c
which peered the faces of a score {
soldiers. = = + Bat VIVA
-, mean these horrible war cries an
wells! Let us take a glance, an(
: 10, into the circle Of light leaps I'll
: head chief, Yellow Bear, his blank
closely folded about him. i
pauses and looks around him, or
as he stands there, with head ereC
flashing eyes, and one foot slight
advanced, let me describe him: J
height, five feet eleven iuche
shoulders broad, chest deep, brea
swelling high With pride, straigI
as an arrow, an eye like an eagle
small hands and feet, well roundt
limbs, and a scalp lock that reach
IL to his waist. AS he stood thus f
It a moment, his arms folded over /
N breast, his head thrown back al
ID his eyes flashing with scorn,
IN would have been a fine model for
" artist. Hardly a moment he stoc
y. then, with a yell that was bloc
E. curdling in its intensity, he thr,
at his blanket aside, drew his KIN
as and striking right and left he so
d. had the circle to himself, the 9TH
ty falling back rs though in fear. ]
ne now called his braves around h
nd and addressed to them an eloqut
in appeal to follow in the footsteps
re their departed chiefs, TO kill a
lis scalpany Of their enemies they mis-
chance to meet. He then recon-
re-; ed his own deeds and exploits,
ce. other braves always yelling W
nd feAdish delight when he smoke
le- enemies being killed. All this
lg. interpreted to us by Frank Grua
a the famous scout, he kindly 9
az. senting to do 81 at our request. I
he dance was brought to aclose by
aw calumet of peace being pas
he around in perfect silence. N
8 a week we are to witness a SC
nd dance.
ped "Thero is a vast difference
bed tween the ideal and the real Ind
md The latter are begging, thieV
ced rascals, and you have to VIZ
lau them constantly when they az
irk, camp"
ak The larger the Boston defau