The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-01-16
Three Searches Fail to Discover the
Concealed Arms.
THE PURSUIT. TO BE KEPT Up
General Crook Dissatisfied at the Es-
cape Of the Braves.
FEY TELEGRAPH TO THE HERALD

pared in order to afford the HERALD readers out
line of the recent battle that more elaborate re-
view Of the situation seems necessary.
At this writing the hostities that were suddenly
precptated here by the Of events have ended
for the time being though there sting left behind
that is painful, with tho prospect Of possible de-
nouement that may prove far from peaceful. The
panies attachments OF troops that sent out in
pursuit Of the ragged and supposed unarmed Chey-
ennes returned to camp late last night for the pur
pose Of resting after their brief and exhausting
paign, which for suddenness and effectiveness has
not been equalled in the records OF Indian warfare
DESPERATION OF THE cHEyESNEs.
The stubborn courage of the Indian braves
never distinctly shown when these forty mine
Cheyenne warriors attempted to escape. and their
reckless despair in facing death when overtaken
proves tho stoical character Of both the
men and women. Finding that escape hopeless
the husbands and fathers chose death for themselves
and their wives and children rather, than surrender
to the foe They were portion of proud tribe
that had many occasions manifested desire to be
at peace with the government and neighbor
ing tribes. You already know the history Of
their escape from Fort Sill and the capture
Of forty-nine warriors, fifty squaws and fory-eight
children, all Of whom imprisoned here Your
readers will also remember that the Sioux Of Red
Cloud band unreserved to these captives
with whom they strongly allied by the associa-
ton of years and the closest ties of consanguniy.
WHERE DID THEY GET ARMS?
In this connection it may be well to state just here
that your correspondent has vainly endeavorcd to
obtain some reasonable explanation how the
Cheyennes obtained possession of the rifles.
pistols and ammunition that seemed to
be SO plentiful in the hands Of the. warriors
and sQuaws the time of the recent outbreak 1t is
claimed that the hostcs were disarmed in the field
Tho officers also insist that after these captves
safely inside the fort they were searched second
time, when several guns found Still another
search subsequently made, but it only resulted
in the discovery of q single revolver.
also learned that the proposed plan of escape, and
the time fixed for it revealed to than of
the officers duty here, but they deemed it i'm
possible and secuted the very idea. 1t seems pity
! that better precautions were not adopted.
DuRYIsG
On Sunday last the troops buried twenty-sx
bodies scarcely any Of them having been pierced
| with less than three bullets These bodies were
placed in one large grave, the mourners embracing
only few squaws and children. The other six
bodies making thirty in all. were inferred where
they fell
A HIDING PLACE.
Since the fghNa pit has been found under the
prison house, which completely carpeted with
hidden. and the question will naturally be asked why
was there incomplete search, and. in view Of the
fact that it was known that an escape was contem
plated. why was there no attempt to barricade the
prisoners and stronger guard placed them?
ESCAPE OF rHE SURVIVORS.
As regards the pursuit of those that have escaped,
there is but little additional to send you. At the
point the North Fork Of Indian Creek where tho fec
ing Chcyennes made their las. stand the troops found
themselves in the same quandary on the prcccd-
ing night The foe had eiuded their grasp and it is
believed have gone in a northwestern direction,
leaving positions fortified with rhc pits and attest
ing wonderful sagacity in their selections of
fighting ground
To-day, under orders Of General Crook, Captain
Lawson, of Company i, Lieutenant Cummings &C.
com panying left Fort Robinson pursue the trail
Tomorrow Captain Vessels. of Company H. and
Lieutcnant Dodd will follow the command being
supplied with six days rations. Acting Assistant
Surgeon c. v. Pettys will accompany the command.
SAD SCENE.
In the Indian prison are ffty-two bucks, squaws
and children. OF this number fourteen are wounded.
One aged squaw has just died from the effects Of six
different wounds.
AID EXPECTED.
Tho Indian interpreter says the Cheyenne captives
are positive that material aid will in due timo be
given them. and the squaws add that. whlo they
were unable to do otherwise than their husbands
directed they will only compulsorily return to the
sbhorrcd southern reservation.
BRAVERY or THE TROOPS.
For the military team be truthfuily said that II %
promptly engaged in the fight a. troops thus sur
prsed possibly could that great personal bravery
on part OF officers and men was conspicuously dis
played and that whatever scdping was
done. II is stoutiy denied that the
soldiers had any part in It: 1t the same
time thcro appears 10 have been somc want Of pre-
caution. resulting in the escape Of the surviving
Cheyenncs.
DIGGING RIFLE KNIVES.
With paltry knives tho Indians were permitted IN
throw up entertainments sufficient to withstand tho
combined onslaught Of five or six companies of
trained troops.
exNKRAL DISSATISFIED.
General Crook has tecgraphcd here to-day that he
10 scd with the result OF the pursuit. ana com
plains that any of the Cheyennes allowed 10
escape He directs that their trail be followed without
delay. and until all are captured. The men under
Captains H. W. Vessels and p. d. vroom, who had
the Indians corralcd on Monday last about twenty
two miles from, here, on the Hot Creek road. were
exhausted and without supplies being obliged to
make their coffee out Of melted snow hence thor re-
turn was Imperative.
Lieutenant Schuyler. of General Crooks staG ar
rived here this morning and viii personally report
on the situation the General commanding the de-
partmcnt, as we'll make known his wishes for the
projected campaign.
A COUNCIL or WAR.
On the last day, when the Chcycnnes were in range
behind their rifle pits ridge covered with deep
ravines on both TANKS and occupying its highest ex
trcmty which broke OF abruptly from the surround
ing country. Captain wcssells called council of the
officers under him. The council consisted OF Cap
tain vroom, Lieutenants Hardie. simpson Baxter
and Crawford and IL called with the intention Of
ordering a charge upon the stubborn and
cealed redskins. 1t was, however, judged
TO be unwise, az would result in the
loss Of several men before the Indians
could be dslodged. They were at that time thought
to be completely surrounded and it seemed ONLY