The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1890-12-18
THE INDIAN CAMPAIGN.

Stories OF battles with the Indians must
be received with caution. 1t IS possible
that the savages, who, at latest dates, were
fiying up the Grand River. may have turned
on their pursuers. but it is not probable.
The death of Sitting Bull deprives the In
dams of their most trusted and most cum
ming leader; it is hardly likely that they
win rally under another chief; if they do, the
rising will probably be merely local, and their
country is now full of troops, with General
Miles at Standing Rock Agency to direct
movements.
We can now follow the operations of the last
week with an accurate perception of events.
General Miles must have satisfied himself
that the head and fr ont of the uprising was
Sitting Bull. He was encamped on the
Grand River, either within or just without
the Standing Rock Reservation, few miles
south of Fort Yates, on the Cannon Ball
River. Some hours before daybreak, on the
14th, an expedition for his capture sailed
forth from Fort Yates. 1t consisted of a
strong DO dy of mounted Indians, well clad
and armed with Winchesters; next came
small troop of cavalry under Captain
Fouchet, with two machine guns; behind
these followed small body of infantry
under Colonel Drum. The night was very
dark and intensely cold, so that the progress
of the expedition was slow. Day had broken
when the advance party came in sight of
Sitting Bulls tents on tine river bank. The
Indians spurred their ponies to gailop,
dashed into the village, and making straight
for the chiefs tepee, dragged him from his
bed, and set him on pony. His followers
were for moment paralyzed by the sudden
swoop; but enc of them. recovering cour
age, shot the man who held the chiefs bri-
die. A score of shots instantly replied; one
of these took effect on Sitting Bull, who
swung from side TO side in his saddle, then
fell to the ground dead. A brisk engagement
ensued over his body, and the advantage was
with his followers, when Fouchets cavalry.
attracted by the firing. came on at full gal
Top, and quickly changed the fortune Of the
day. The Indians broke and fled, heading
up the Grand. They were pursued by the
cavalry until the horses showed signs of eX-
haustion.
The net results of the operation are, first,
the elimination Of Sitting Bull, who was
the life and soul of Indian INSTRUMENTATION :;
and second, the driving OF the hostiles away
from the settled portions Of Dakota toward
the Bad Lands. 1t is hardly likely that for
some time 10 come, the Indians will get a
leader of equal sagaeity and influence to
Sitting Bull. And as 20 the young braves,
who kept threatening war, they will find in
the Bad Lands place in which their hot
blood will cool. The section of country
which is known by this iil-favored name is
nothing more than vast lava bed, the de-
post of some ancient group of VOLCANOES.
1t covers large portion of Eastern Mon
tana and Western Dakota. 1t goes without
saying that there are no farms and no set
tiers there; no agriculture is possible, and
even game can find no food on that inhos-
| pirable desert. The Indians who go there
will starve, and will have to sue for read
mission 10 the nearest reservation.
The loss of Sitting Bull is not calamity
| to be deplOred he was a man of courage
and ability, but he was emphatically bad
Indian He was loyal to his race, but his
measure its present conditions or to recon-
ellie him to its altered circumstances. He
had said he would die lighting, and he did.
1t was the best thing lie could do. He COM
| pares very unGavorably with such Indians
as WeatheTsford or Tecumseb, in both of
whom there were elements Of craftsmanship
| as well as soldierly virtue. Sitting Bull
was not only no benefacior to his people
| lie was positive detriment. He was OPP
posed to improvements, opposed to educa-
| ton, opposed to honest industry; he be-
| Heved that the true destiny of the Indian
| was to live by hunting and to cherish all the
vices of the savage. Consistently enough,
| he argued that this destiny could only be
! achieved by war against the whites, and he
! prayed for other men pray for peace.
| he got what he wanted