The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-09-20
ooNoUERED BY srARvAr1oN.
The Reverses that Compelled Sitting Bulrs
Band to Quit the Warpath.

Ms odnu 10 QulG II WarDACns
Bismarck 70. t. Letter, in New York sun.
The visit of Sitting Bull to New York and his
contemplated trip to Europe have convinced the
people of this section that the old savage is to
be made a hero. Whether this particular chief
tain deserves any such honor will always remain
a mooted question out here, where many people
regard him as a mere p%retender, and assert that
he never did anything in peace or war emitting
him to special distinction.
Sitting Bull is a medicine man of the Teton
Sioux, and, as such, exercises a powerful in
huence over his race. While military operations
for the subiugation of that tribe were in pro-
gress, he happened to be better known than any
of the other war chiefs or medicine men, and so
the hostile band was always referred to as Sit
ting Bulls. There were a dozen dashing fight
ers in the party, who were much more terrible
in war than the Bull, and several have shown a
greater mental capacity than he.
When the hostiles fed to British America to
escape the blow which Crook and Terry hoped
to in6ict upon them they expected to find a
home north of the line where they would not be
disturbed, but in this they were disappointed.
They roamed about, finding only barren lands
and enemies. Game was scarce, and hunting
parties sent south of the line were speedily
driven back. Once the hostiles gave notice that
they were starving where they were, and that
they were going back to their old home to
hunt and eat the buffalo, and that If they were
interfered with they would die in defense of
their rights. They did not come. Then they
tried to effect a treaty with. the Blackfeet, but
the latter, discovering their plight, proved
treacherous, stole their ponies, and fed to the
mountains, During the three or four years that
they lived north of the line they suffered terri
bly, for food and clothing. Their women and
children died of want, and the braves themselves
hunted in vain.
In the meantime the railroad had brought set
tiers, New military posts had been established,
and the entire face of the country in Dakota
had been changed. Runners from the Sioux
camp, who occasionally stole across the border,
saw all these things, and observed that the
buffalo had also disappeared, and reported the
situation to the f~ugitives. 1t was clear that the
day for reprisal had passed. TIL Sioux could
not return except as prisoners.
Then the party began to break up. Whatever
power Sitting Bull had ever possessed was lost.
Sub chiefs led hundreds of the savages away
in raiding bands. Some went far over the line,
and others remained near the boundary as if
fearful of getting too far from their safe retreat.
Finally, Sitting Bull moved down to the boun-
dairy and awaited developments.
At this time, the fall of 1880, Edward H. ALI
son, the celebrated scout and interpreter, volun-
teered to go to the hostile camp and treat for
peace. The proposition was accepted by the
military authorities, and, one day in September,
he took a horse at Fort Buford, and without an
escort, rode north to the forty-ninth parallel,
and while skirting along the boundary line came
across the Sioux camp at a point known as Ru-
ined Timber. He spied the camp at about sun
set, and rode in among the tepees before his
DEGS6uCG was huOWH " ~ dNd2tSs d II
quired for a warrior known as the Lung, and en-
tered that chieftains lodge.
Inc savages became greatly excited when they
discovered that he was with them, and a warrior
named Gall threatened his life. Allison's tact
carried him through safely, and he remained in
the village for some days. Promising to come
again, he returned to Fort Buford, and, under
orders from General Terry, started for the north
again on Oct. "a He found the hostiles en-
camped on Frenchman's creek, this side Of the
line, and, as a result of his negotiations, he per-
suaded eighteen of the head men to 60 with
him to see Terry at Buford, he agreeing to guide
them back.
Allison undertook his third Journey nortHward
on Nov. 20. Snow lay on the ground to agreat
depth, and the weather was of unprecedented
severity. Arriving at the camp, after great suf-
fering. he found the Indians unprepared to move
southwark, as they had previously agreed to do,
because they had not yet heard from Walsh,
commander of the Canadian mounted police.
He remained in the village twenty-three DAYS,
and p~artook of savage hospitality during that
time. Late in December he induced the savages to
move. and after ten days they reached the mouth
of Milk river. From this point they camein in
small parties, and surrendered Internationally
The savages were in a pitiable condition. and
had evidently held out as long as they could
without accepting starvation as the alternative.
Crow King, a much more valiant warrior than
Sitting Bull, said on surrendering:
"SWe have fought those who have come to male war
in our country. The fight was brought upon usl We
did not seek the soldiers. They found us. We ought
for our squaws and children. We are the last tomake
peace. The Indian can fight no more. / was shot
here by a Grow exhibiting a wound on his right
breast. They wrapped me in my medicine.bk, but
still 1 lived. / am not afraid of death. The Indian
cannot live in the north country. We have gon east
and north, but the Indian cannot live there. Ikpeak
straight. Sitting Bull wants peace. Our childrn are
starving"
When these miserable creatures came il the
thermometer indicated 30o below zero, and the
drifts were from ten to twenty feet deep. Since
their surrender they have been living al the
agency contentedly, and some OF them lave
made progress in civilization.