News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1885-05-21

from BOOTS AND SADDLES, By MRS.
CUSTER.
I must preface my account OF the oc-
currence by going back to the summer
of the Yellowstone campaign. Two of
the citizens attached to the expedition,
one as the sutler, the other as the vet
erinary surgeon, were n the habit of
riding by themselves great deal. Not
being enlisted men, much more liberty
than soldiers have was allowed them.
Many warnings were given, however,
and an instance fresh In the minds of
the officers OF the killing by Indians of
two OF their comrades the year before,
was repeatedly told them. One day
their hour of lingering came. While
they stopped to water their horses.
some Indians concealed in a gully shot
them within sight of our regiment, who
were then fighting on the hill, and did
not find the bodies for some time after
ward. Both of the murdered men
were favorites; both left families, and
regret and sympathy were general
throughout the command.
A year and half afterward informa-
ton came to our post, Fort Lincoln,
that an Indian was then at the agency at
Standing Rock, drawing his rations,
blankets and ammunition from the gov
ernment and st the same time boasting
Of the murder Of these two men. This
intelligence created intense Indignation
in our garrison. A detachment was
quickly prepared and started out with
sealed orders. No one was aware even
what direction they were to take. Gen.
Custer knew that it was absolutely
necessary that caution and secresy
should be observed. At the next post,
twenty miles below, there were scouts
employed. They would not fail to send
out runner and warn the Standing
Rock Indians of the coming of the com
mand and its objects, if they could learn
what it was. When the runner carries
important news he starts with an ever
gait in the morning and keeps it up all
day, hardly stopping to drink at the
stream he CROSSES. Such courier would
outstrip a command of cavalry in the
ordinary time it makes on march.
Accordingly Fort Rice was left behind
many miles before the orders were
opened. They contained directions te
capture and bring back an Uncapaps
Indian. called Rain-in-the-Face, the
ayowed murderer of the sutler and the
veterinary surgeon. The command con
sisted of two officers and 100 men. The
General had selected lis brother to assis
in this delicate transaction, as he wal
wont to do ever since they began theil
life OF adventure together during the
war. They arrived ON the day that th'
Indians were drawing their rations o
beef. There were 500 at the agenc,
armed with the latest long-range rifles
1t was more and more clear that to-
much care could not be taken to preven
the object of the visit being known t.
the warriors. An expedition had beel
sent down once before, but news of it
intention had reached the agency in tim
for the culprit to escape. He could no
refrain even after this warning from
openly vaunting his crime.
THE CAPTURE.
In order, then, to conceal the purpor
of their appearance at the agency, tn
captain in comm and resolved to ruse
He sent fifty men to the camp, ten mile
away to make inquiries for these Indian
who had murdered citizens on the Re
River the year before. Col Custer wa
ordered to take five picked men and 6,
70 the traders store where the Indians
resort constantly. This required grea
GOODNESS and extreme patience, for the.
had to lounge about, seemingly indiffer
ent, until they could be certain the righ
man was discovered. The cold made tn
the Indians draw their blankets aroun'
them and over their heads. There
never any individuality about their dress
unless when arrayed for a council O
/ oohOCs ~ was tACACiOAC alhOSs AhnPoH'
sible to tell one from the other.
Col. Tom had to wait for hours, onl
looking furtively when these wary cres
lures were off guard. At last one {
them loosened his blanket, and with tn
meager description that had been give
him Col. Tom identified him as
| RAIN-IN- THE-FAoE.
Coming suddenly from behind, h
threw his arms about him, and seize
the Winchester rifle that the savage al
tempted to cook. He was taken entirel
by surprise. No fear showed itself. bu
from the Enthusiastically stolid fac
hate and revenge flashed out for an in
stant. He drew himself up in an indt
pendent manner TO show his brothe
warriors that he did not dread death.
Among them he had been considere
brave beyond precedent, because he ha
dared to enter the agency store at al
and Sc encounter the risk of arrest. Th
soldiers tied his hands and mounte
guard over him. About thiry Indian
surrounded them instantly, and an oil