The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-01-18
in the expectation Of receiving assistance from

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quarter.
AN ALARMISG FACT
In this connection an alarming phase OF the indian
question just presented itself through the arrival
OF two cattle men, Moses Newman and Mr.. Chalk.
from the vicinity the Nobrara, Snake River,
where they have ranches. In the latter part of the
past week fortyone head Of horses were stolen
from the former. and since then quite an active
search has been made for them. Mr.. Chalk reports
pursuing the trail of the thieves and upon searching
point some thirty miles south of the Spotted Tail
agency in the sand hills beyond the Niobrara and
sixty miles from Red Clouds band. he came upon
desert Indian camp. The fires appeared
to have been some Eve days old. and
about three hundred head Of horses are supposed
to have been in the party. composed of about fifty
Indians. This is believed to be the resort hiding
place Of Little Wolf son of Dull Knife, and
capped Cheyenne warrior. who has been leading
party Of his people, as is thought the way north
to join Sitting Bull. No doubt is entertained among
the best informed that is Little Wolf band andthat
they have been receiving aid and comfort from
or both of the two Sioux tribes north of them. They
have left lodge pole trail and believed to have
been living the cattle found ranging about them.
This party is probably the which the present
fighting Cheyenne force is endeavoring to reach and
If q junction is formed with them and the young
Sioux bucks join them. they probably will.
formidable marauding force will DO constituted. The
ranchers. stockmen and cattle raisers already
asking aid from the military. One said to-day that
from this time until August he would not give
button for any Of their lives.
LIEUTENANT scHUYLEK's MISSION.
The presence of Lieutenant Schuyler. Of General
Crooks STAFF here is not to investigate where with
whom the culpability lies for the escape of the
Cheyennes It was found that owing to the absence
from this post of the commanding officer in the field,
during the sudden operations rendered necessary in
fighting and pursuing the Indians. direct
and full information could be obtained
by Lieutenant General Sheridan until after
1t had appeared in the papers SO General Crook de-
spatched Lieutenant Schuyler of his staff to this
point to be the spot here to send the news di-
recty to the headquarters Of the department that
the facts might be known promptly and fully Lieu
tenant Schuyler says that it is beyond his province to
investigate the conduct Of the officers here. either
commanding or subordinate. His report has been
forwarded to General Sheridan.
Couriers are operating tonight between Fort
Laramie and the two companies en- route to join
Captain Vessels in the pursuit and corslling Of the
Cheyennes. Telegraphic dispatches hourly sent
from here to Fort Laramie, keeping Major Evans.
commanding there. advised Of every movement fast
as known. Lieutenant Schuyler says that he thinks
the capture of the Indians is only question of few
days.
Your correspondent is Of the opinion that tho
present movements Of the savages are intended as
trap for the troops to fall into.
Lieutenant Schuyler is keeping General Crook ad
vised Of every movement and the latter isbelieved
to be giving his personal attention to the conduct Of
affairs. When the mountain howitzer can be got out
to pour FIRE upon the Cheyennes in their holes it is
believed by officers here that short work will be
made Of them.
ARRIVAL RED CLOUD.
DR.. Irwin. agent at Pine Wood Agency. arrived
here tonight in company with Red Cloud. He is said
to have come in regard to the wounded Sioux
captives here to what is to be done about them
He says. also, that he wants to know what is going
on he could not learn anything definitely
except through the representations Of squaw men.
which not reliable. He reports the Indians at
Pine Ridge still excited over the Cheyenne massacre
DR.. Irwin has been considerably demoralized from
the beginning. Some Of the Sioux Indians have
threatened at various times to kill him. No outbreak
has occurred at the agency yet. however.
A REVIEW OF THE ESCAPE.
The most startling IL not incredible. thing which
has been brought before me in connection with the
flight of the Cheyennes is belief among some that
not only the atsmpt to escape foreseen. but
MUTUALLY permitted was dSkeu last nlgnt III CAMP
by critics reviewing the occurrence whether
intended to allow the Cheyennes to escape. do not
give the idea credence but must admit that strange
condolences that point that way and with the ap-
parently deliberate opportunity afforded to the In
dams, could be easily distorted to give plausi-
bility to the revolving theory. Indeed.
strong is the suspicion the facts
that I might believe the scheme possible
of any other body Of men than those who have
made army honor and integrity passwords to
confidence. The jests OF the camp the badinage
of frontiersmen must not be taken sober earnest
even in view Of such o catastrophe that at this
place. These jests often turn possible massacres
and pursuits, for It is the nature of man to find
humor under the grimmest experiences that be-
fall him. For instance. this frontier. where the
possibility of pursuit has been mooted for months
it has been common for officers in response to an in
quiry after their health to say. well. have not
lost any Indians and are not hunting any,
Beyond the implied culpability in not securely
guarding against the escape of the Cheyennes the
most serious charge is that of their possession of
serviceable after it had been taken for granted
that they had been thoroughly dsarmed after their
surrender.
LIEUTENANT cHAsE's RESPONSIBILITY.
Lieutenant Chase was originally charged with the
custody and search Of the prisoners In interview
to-day had with Hog by Lieutenant Schuyler of GEN
eral Crooks STAFF at which Lieutenant Chase was
present the Indian monster. not msnamcd said that
he did not know where the arms had been concealed
or that tho fugtives had any. He had helped Lieu
tenant Chase search them before they were closely
confined and could not find any. That they had no
arms at this time Leutenant Chase stoutly maintains
Hog however. thinks that they may have taken them
apart and sccrcted them in unsuspcctel places It is
thought that the squaws. who through dclicacy
not searched. had them concealed. From their pecu-
liar make it would be quite feasible. They may have
taken them into the barracks unnoticei after which
they were placed under the floor. From all these
facts an idea be formed to where the RESPONSE
biity rests.
LAUNDERING PURSUIT.
The manner Of conducting the pursuit is the next
bad feature in the wrctched business although con-
Quoted by brave who had fought in more than
ono Indian cnmpaign have already stated in these