Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1881-04-18

to be brought in and undergo a thorough
friction to bring them up again.
The Post is situated ON the Powder
river, shallow stream, strongly alkaline,
which has an injurious effect upon the
garrison. This, together with the fact
that we have no fresh meat, and the al
most entire absence of antiscorbutics, is
rapidly thinning our little force. There
is plenty of game all around us-buffalo,
elk, deer, antelope, etc.,-but if we at
tempt to get a shot at them we are sure
to get into vigorous dispute with Mr..
Indian.
A few days since a herd of some two
thousand buffaloes came down within
about two miles of the Post, and 1
thought 1 could afford little risk to get
one Of them. I accordingly took five men
and went out l directed the sergeant
and men to proceed in one direction
around a ridge, while / went the other
side, designating point where we should
meet, about one mile ahead. Just before
l reached the designated point [ fired at
and wounded large bull He Immediate
ly charged upon me, and | retreated (not
in very good order), firing at him as 1
went, until I had fired twelve shots at
him (nine of them took effect); and, as
he was gaining upon me, [ dismounted
and jumped into narrow ravine, out of
his way. l had fired every shot had and
was now cooped up entirely helpless. 1
ventured to look out at the side and take
a peep at his majesty, and I assure you he
was an ugly looking felloW-the blood
and foam running from his mouth, and his
small eyes actually flashing fire. Just at
this time the sergeant and his party were
attacked by large party of Indians, who
killed the sergeant and two men (the 9th
er two, being some distance in the rear,
escaped), scalped them, cut off their heads
and arms, dug out their eyes, stripped
them entirely naked, and cut their bodies
in most horrible manner. The Indians
soon retired over the ridge when crawl
ed out and came into the Post, took fifty
men and went and recovered the bodies.
am aware that there are those in your
quiet city who regard the Indians as a
poor abused race, who possess all the at
tributes required to make up their beau
ideal. 1t may be so, but l confess their
little eccentric habit Of coming at white
men is little distasteful to me.
We had been expecting a mail from the
East for several days Git is brought here
on pack-mules), but yesterday the bodies
of the men who had the mail in charge
(three) were found few miles from the
Post and some few letters scattered over
the ground. This tells the story of our
life here, one week is simply another edi-
ton of the last; the last mail sent out
from here was also lost.
Some will say, perhaps yourself, that 1
was foolish in going out; but [ respect
fully submit that when men have been
cooped up all winter in a small Stockade,
with salt bacon as the principal article of
diet until their legs are rotting off and
GHS1I JSCIu dSbu01lN h1OpPl11So OuO VI OIlSAh
heads from the effects of scurvy, they will
run some risk for little fresh food.
The habits and customs of these named
mobiles Il refer, of course, to the friendly
ones) are somewhat peculiar and unique.
They retail their squaws at prices varying
from six army blankets to fifteen ponies,
these quotations being the two extremes
that 1 have heard of. The purchasing of
one of these dusky bellies usually entails
many annoyances for the rest of the fam
lily as they will hang around for their
meals and a chance to steal, one of the
most prominent characteristics of their
nature.
If any of your friends should wish to
purchase one of these fascinating crea-
lures 1 think it might be done through
some Indian agent at a slight advance,
and business strictly confidential. A few
''Henry rifles" with the proper ammuni-
ton would no doubt facilitate the bargain,
as believe it is thought necessary by this
bureau that the Indians should be supplied
with these little articles to kill game.
send you, by Surgeon Ould who goes
to Baltimore, two arrows that took from
the body of my sergeant, killed as have
related. They will do to put up in your
office with your other implements of war,
any of which I should prefer being
wounded with than the arrow, although l
presume you will not think them very
formidable. One of these arrows was
shot entirely through the head, just above
the eye; the other was fired through the
body and lodged in the spine. An Indian
will shoot one entirely through buffalo.
The buffalo speak of having wounded l
found dead and brought him in; he had
nine ball holes through him, some three
or four through his lungs; and yet an
Indian will frequently kill one with a
single arrow.
Come out and have hunt; nice fun.
Old Red Cloud says he will have every
fort on this line this spring; and unless
we get troops he can do easy. Hoping to
hear from you soon, remain very truly,
J. c. JENNEss,
Lieut.. 9th U. S. Infantry.
BRICKTOP'S BEE STORY.