The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-01-31
WHY THE CHEYENNES FOUGHT.
reech-Loading Guns Render the
Red Man Formidable.
THE TRANSFER OF THE INDIAN BUREAU.
Report OF the Joint Committee Opposing
the Change.

from Omaha OF the recent outbreak anu Dioouy
snnihation of the main body of the Cheyenne Ind
ians have brought General George Crook, commend
ing the department into marked prominence and
his opinions only TO the action of the military
at Camp Robinson during this outbreak, but con-
corning the therefor, the grievances of the
Indians and the governments share of respon-
sibility in the matter, have been in brisk de-
mard. Until within few days past, however.
General Crook has been confined to his residence in
this city with malaral fever. and has therefore. been
missing from his Office at Fort Omaha, four miles
distant. During his years of experience in frontier
military departments and his dealings with the Ind
ians Crook has gained the reputaton-wel deserved.
doubtless-of being direct and honest as the
Indian himself In accordance with an engagement
previously made your correspondent called upon the
General this morning and the following interview
took place.
GENERAL. CROOK ON THE MASSACRE.
ConREsPoNpENT--Have you any further informa-
ton from Camp Robinson?
General CRoox-Nothing more. The last news was
of character leave little to follow it until the
port Of the board of officers now gathered there is
ready.
ConREsPoNpENT-was the sanguinary end Of the
Cheyenne pursuit unexpected to you?
General CRook-It was only what all who are
familiar with Indian character would have expected
after the Cheyennes decided not to return. There
not military force enough in this department to
have taken them back alive
CoRREsPoSpENT--Much sympathy has been aroused
for the slaughtered Cheyennes. particularly the
women and children. Was it necessary that these
should have been killed?
General CRooK-After it decided to remove the
band the army had simply to execute the order.
peaceabiy il possible by force if necessary. proceed
ing against them when it was necessary as against
any other enemy. I do not suppose or
child was killed but by accident Many soldiers dis
played great gallantry in endeavoring to protect
them An effort made to the children
and care for them when it was decided to starve
freeze the Cheyennes into submission. The squaws,
understand. well cared for when they separ-
ated themselves from the band. When they had de-
termined to die together rather than be removed
they remained with the braves and took the chances
of war in hand-to-hand fight. These matters will
be investigated by the board of officers
CoEREsroNDENr-There seems to be general i'm
preston here that the Cheyennes started northward
with peaceable intentions and only because they
were starved out; that depredations murders
were committed until after they had themselves suf
fcred from attacking companies Of soldiers. and that
then the murders done by few young
braves against the advice Of the others. Do you
think this the truth?
General CRooK-I would prefer to express opin-
ion the subject. 1t is proper matter for ju-
dical military investigation. not for expression
Of private opinion 1t is true that they committed
no murders depredations after entering this de-
partment. have my own opinions on the matter,
formed upon the statements of others. The Chey-
ennes first went to the south Voluntarily and with
good feeling. and it would hardly be probable that
they would prefer to die rather than return toward
the.south without some reason. They were neither
fools nor lulatcs and in deciding upon their course
they knew we'll the probable result.
sUFvERISGs OF THE cHEYESSEs.
CoRREsPoNDEST-Of course they had nothing to
hope from the civil authorities of Kansas?
General CRooK-very little. civil tribunal is not
remarkable for leniency to Indians. particularly
where they members of band which has
mitted murders. suppose they would all have been
hanged in Kansas.
CoRREspoSDESr-I believe you frst brought the
Chcyennes into an agency. Will you give the facts
in brief?
General CnooK-In the fall Of 1876. in the Macken-
zie fght the Cheyennes badly worsted ana
many killed. After the fight they obliged to
make that long, terrible march of 100 miles, in snow
from six inches four feet Deep TO get to the Crazy
Horse band. Many of the Cheyennes had relatives
among the Sioux. and they expected TO be received
with open and that the Sioux would divide with
them. They arrived from the march in IN abso-
lntcly destitute condition. having endured great SUIT
tcrngs from cold and hunger on the way. Old
women ana cnliOren. periSneu In SHOW; DeOe9
frozen at their mothers breasts. Crazy Horse
received them cohlly on their arrival and demanded
snl,es came to Red cloud Agency "a few going to tie
month Ut the Tongue River Lieutc nant johnson
Was men IN charge ss ss Siono. rney expected
slow them. which they had reason to expect would
be very. little. To their surprise they re-
ccived the allowances To which they
entitled separately, which to them seemed
very large. there being nearly tonnage enough
for all Their hearts warmed toward the government.
few weeks later they told that the Sioux were
going to the Missouri River They shared with the
sioux the prejudice against that region and when Of
tered the agency in the Indian Territory decided to 20
there by quite majority.
t'oRRfsPusDKsT--Do you anticp pate any trouble at
Red Cloud or spotted Tail agcnciesf
General CEoos--t see no reason to fear any At
present. They are quiet and contented. and
have an honest and capable agent The action Of the
stock 20 stop the stealing OF their ponies
pIesscs them and removes what was becoming . very
dangerous source Of Irritation to the indians.
When removed from the Missouri River they were in
an excited condition; and me S removal .Y sd been
upon the warpsth That would have been u war be.
side which the troubles With the Cneyennes would
them kept ] prospect of trouble
with them. They Furnished company of
Robinson. and know OF nothing that creates better
feeling among them. when there is danger of thor
against foe. even though IL be fragment Of tho
ssme tribe: Any 9pprehsns,on' Of trouble a. Red
rumstsnces. are groundless.
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES tho prospects of trouble
with sitting Bull
General CaooK-I cannot tell, there has been 70
much bosh in circulation about him, OF whom
little Is known. 4 have seen the statement in tho
papers that he has crossed the border and coming
south, but don't know how much truth there 10 in
1t. think all the indications In regard to the Ind
iaDs are indicative OF peace than for several
years, provided. Of course, that they properly
treated and that all promises are kept with them.
MoDERs PHASE or THE INDIAN QUESTION.
CoRnEsPoSDEyr-Hav the Sioux the same bravery
and stoicism as the Cheyennes, think you
General CHooK-undcr circumstances similar to
those of the Cheyennes they would unquestonahly
have the In their sction at camp Robin
con the Chey displayed trait OF Indian char
aer and not especially of Cheyenne. Ia any case of
trouble with the government the Indians will pursue
q very different course now from what they wouid
have taken ten years ago. The ecn.loaoing gun -
the chief IL has given the Indians great con-
fdcnce. You at the Council with Little chiefs